Law enforcement is optimizing crime-fighting capabilities in Bay County by using the latest technology and a new approach to addressing criminal activity. This new county-wide project is called the Bay Real Time Operation Center, or BayROC.
BayROC went operational in November of 2021 and is a collaborative effort between the BCSO, the PCPD, the PCBPD, the LHPD, the SPD, the PPD, and the Bay District Schools PD.
The operation center is located within the Bay County Sheriff’s Office and is comprised of a supervisor and two full-time crime analysts. The goal of BayROC is to provide relevant, real-time information directly to law enforcement in the field. BayROC uses an integrated system combining school, traffic, and business cameras and license plate readers to assist responding law enforcement and solve crimes.
A responding officer engaged in a high-risk call for service now has the added resources in real-time to improve response and situational awareness. The use of technological resources allows law enforcement response to be more efficient and deliberate, with improved operational intelligence. The emphasis is on officer, citizen, and community safety.
From the beginning, BayROC has proven its value.
On day one, the team was able to coordinate with PCPD to close out a Silver Alert, locating the missing person within five minutes of the alert.
During the first month, Bay ROC located numerous wanted persons with outstanding warrants for burglary, domestic violence, and grand theft.
In December of 2021, a 911 call reported a burglary in progress. Within one minute of the 911 call, BayROC personnel identified the suspect vehicle to responding law enforcement. The vehicle was located and the suspects detained.
In December of 2021, the BCSO responded to a homicide. Once the suspect was identified, the BayROC team learned he had fled the state. Working with out-of-state law enforcement, BayROC assisted in the coordination of the suspect’s capture in northern Alabama.
In December of 2021, BayROC, working with the Tallahassee PD, was able to establish that a suspect wanted in eight liquor store robberies was traveling between Tallahassee and Panama City. The result of this was the arrest of this suspect in the parking lot of a liquor store in Tallahassee.
In January of 2022, BayROC identified and located numerous wanted persons and burglary suspects that were arrested and taken into custody.
One of the most well-publicized events to benefit from BayROC was the weekend of March 26 and 27 when 161 individuals were booked into the Bay County Jail in response to “PCB Takeover” crowds. Using technology and intelligence to identify and target trouble spots and spontaneous crowds, BayROC was, as Sheriff Ford said, a “game changer” in how weekend crowds were successfully handled.
Based on specific intelligence, law enforcement raided a house party with some of the main promoters in attendance. At this party, individuals with firearms were arrested and the attendees evicted by the homeowner. BayROC also communicated with law enforcement agencies in the hometowns of some “PCB Takeover” attendees and were able to specifically target and disrupt activities.
Law enforcement must also remain sensitive to and respectful of the privacy of Bay County residents. Traffic cameras used by BayROC are available for viewing online. The cameras have a short retention period. The BayROC system has firm audit capabilities to ensure the system is operated within guidelines.
Local law enforcement is asking for any business or homeowner with security cameras to join the BayROC system. Sign your camera up by going to baycounty.fususregistry.com.
Notifying BayROC that you have security cameras does not mean BayROC will have access to your security camera.
If a crime happens in your neighborhood, and you have notified us that you have a security camera, we will ask for relevant security camera footage.
There is no additional cost to you for participating.
Most resources used to create BayROC have been funded through grants and forfeiture funds.
By utilizing the latest in technology and maintaining strong partnerships between agencies, Bay County law enforcement is better able to keep Bay County safe.
