Hinds County has launched a countywide public safety camera initiative using Brivo's 911 Camera Sharing system. Officials described it as the first county-level deployment of its kind in the United States.
The programme gives 911 dispatchers access to live footage from pre-designated surveillance cameras near an emergency. It allows call handlers to see conditions around an incident while first responders are on their way. The network covers public spaces, neighbourhoods, schools, a church, and areas linked to local government and educational institutions.
In its initial phase, the rollout includes 72 solar-powered security camera cabinets fitted with the camera-sharing technology. Installations have been made across Hinds County, including Jackson, the town of Terry, eight neighbourhood homeowners' associations, one church, and areas around Jackson State University and Jackson Public Schools.
County officials, law enforcement, and local businesses have presented the programme as a joint effort between public bodies and community groups. It is designed to connect cameras from participating organisations so dispatchers can get a direct visual reference during a verified emergency at an authorised location.
Access to footage is restricted to trained 911 staff and is available only during emergencies involving a participating camera approved for sharing. Under the system details released by organisers, dispatchers cannot access camera credentials, alter the system, or download footage.
Officials said the system is already being used beyond live emergency response. In some parts of the county, it has helped deter illegal dumping and supported law enforcement investigations into criminal incidents.
That early use points to a broader goal for the project, combining emergency response with neighbourhood management and policing support. Organisers said the system is intended to improve officer safety, student safety, and the speed of incident investigations.
Robert Graham, President of the Hinds County Board of Supervisors, said the approach was designed to balance cost and operational impact. "The program is specifically designed to use technology in a smart, cost-efficient way to deliver measurable outcomes for residents and safeguard our officers. This is also a way to assist law enforcement with criminal investigations," Graham said.
How it works
The technology is built around pre-authorised camera access rather than constant central surveillance. Cameras in the scheme are not open for public viewing and are not monitored continuously. The structure appears intended to address privacy concerns while still giving dispatchers visual information during active incidents.
The system in Hinds County was designed and installed by Wilson Technology, a security integration firm based in Jackson. It said the programme allows schools, businesses, and places of worship to join even if they do not already use Brivo Eagle Eye products, and without necessarily replacing existing cameras.
That approach could support expansion across the county by lowering the barrier for organisations that want to participate but already operate their own surveillance equipment. It also suggests the county aims to build a broader network over time rather than rely only on cameras installed in the project's first phase.
Wilson Technology said it is seeking to widen participation among local institutions and private organisations. "Wilson Technology is committed to the safety and security of our community and our state, which is why we're actively working with other local businesses to join the Hinds County Safety Camera Initiative. We are also working with other Mississippi counties, municipalities, and universities, which have seen the success of the Hinds County project," Wilson said.
Wider context
Brivo, which provides the 911 Camera Sharing system, has presented the Hinds County rollout as a model that could be adopted in other jurisdictions. The company recently merged with Eagle Eye Networks, whose technology is also part of the camera-sharing system used in the county deployment.
The project reflects a broader push by emergency services and local authorities to bring private and institutional camera networks closer to public safety operations while limiting access to specific scenarios. Supporters argue that dispatchers with a live view of a scene can provide more accurate information to police, firefighters, and medical teams before they arrive.
Dean Drako, Chief Executive Officer of Brivo, said the county's scheme offered a template for others. "The Hinds County Camera Safety Initiative is a powerful model for other jurisdictions seeking to unite their communities and technology for modern public safety, which reflects the vision of our company and this product," Drako said.