Tampa TribuneCity Unplugs Camera Software
By THOMAS W. KRAUSE
[email protected] TAMPA - The Tampa Police Department has eliminated the facial-recognition software hooked up to cameras scanning crowds in Ybor City - after two years, zero arrests and zero positive identifications.
The software, provided to the city free by its manufacturer, was intended to recognize the facial characteristics of felons and runaway children through a database of more than 24,000 mug shots. It was shut down Tuesday, having failed in its objective.
``It's just proven not to have any benefit to us,'' said Capt. Bob Guidara, a department spokesman.
The 36 surveillance cameras, which were installed a few years before the facial-recognition software, will remain. Police spokesman Joe Durkin said the software might not work but the cameras have led to several arrests.
``Officers have been able to make arrests involving illegal drug dealing, fights and things of that nature,'' Durkin said. ``One officer monitoring the cameras has been able to be the eyes of many in foiling this type of activity.''
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