Through collaboration, strategic partnerships and a forward-thinking approach, the city of Surprise recently partnered with the Dysart Unified School District to allow the Surprise Police Department limited remote access to the network of cameras on the district’s 26 school campuses.

The partnership will allow the police department to view live video at school facilities during emergency situations.

This access will provide officers with vital real-time information when responding to critical incidents at any school in the Dysart district.

“This new partnership using innovative technologies will help to ensure school safety remains a top priority for the city and district,” city officials wrote in a news release.

In addition to the school cameras, Surprise is continuing to pursue new benchmarks for smart city innovation with the implementation of a Flock camera system — a super-collector of vehicle data using cameras already located around the city for traffic monitoring.

The department can access the camera database to help develop trend data, assist in criminal investigations, and inform officers in real-time as they respond to calls.

The Flock system also allows for partnerships with our community members and private businesses to help keep our city safe.

The Surprise Safe community camera registration program allows residents and businesses to register privately-owned cameras, such as doorbells and security cameras, with the Surprise Police Department through Flock. This access can help to better assess, respond to and investigate emergencies in the area.

To learn more or register a camera, visit surpriseaz.gov/CameraConnect.

“Using new technologies is a part of Surprise city leadership’s commitment to making Surprise an even safer place to live, work and enjoy,” according to the release.