Colombia. Policía Nacional de Colombia announced the commissioning of video surveillance devices equipped with the facial recognition software Fortify.
This software makes it possible to photograph people to identify individuals wanted by judicial authorities. The records are checked against the institution's database, after which an alert is generated to the uniformed officers to make the capture on the spot.
The Mayor's Office of Bogotá reported that the pilot test began on October 1 and in a period of one month has led to the apprehension of six people: one for homicide and five for theft.
"It is important to note that we have a database with the records of more than 5,000 people with court orders, just here in the capital. The new devices will allow us to place these people at the disposal of the competent judicial authority", said Lieutenant Colonel Jader Llerena, assigned to the Bogotá Metropolitan Police.
The 786 cameras are distributed in some 20 stations of the mass transit system, said the officer, who also reported that the trial period will be extended until the end of the year, in order to identify possible improvements in the security scheme.
"The idea is to correct errors and seek a connection with entities such as the Registraduría Nacional del Estado Civil to achieve greater effectiveness in the facial recognition of people who have outstanding arrest warrants," he said.
