05/06/2026
Alton Police Department’s Partnership with SIUE Continues to Enhance Public Safety Through Technology and Transparency
ALTON, IL — Chief Jarrett Ford of the Alton Police Department is proud to announce that the department’s partnership with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and Professor Dennis Mares continues to strengthen public safety and improve transparency through innovative technology.
Through this collaboration, the Alton Police Department has been working to develop and expand a network of strategically placed surveillance cameras and license plate reader (LPR) systems throughout the community. These tools are designed to assist officers in preventing and investigating crime, identifying suspect vehicles, and enhancing overall situational awareness in key areas across the city.
“This partnership represents a forward-thinking approach to policing,” said Chief Ford. “By working with SIUE and Professor Mares, we are leveraging research-based strategies and modern technology to better protect our community while also increasing transparency with the public we serve.”
In addition to the camera network, the partnership has led to the creation of an interactive public data dashboard, now accessible through the Alton Police Department’s website. This dashboard provides residents with direct access to crime statistics in a user-friendly format.
Key features of the dashboard include:
• An interactive mapping system that visually displays reported incidents in Alton
• The ability to view crime data over customizable time periods
• Options to filter and analyze data by specific types of crime
This initiative allows community members to stay informed about public safety trends and fosters a greater understanding of policing efforts in Alton.
“Transparency is a critical component of modern policing,” Chief Ford added. “By making this information readily available, we are empowering residents with knowledge and strengthening trust between the department and the community.”
The Alton Police Department remains committed to utilizing partnerships, innovation, and data-driven strategies to enhance public safety and quality of life for all residents.
The project is funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Smart Policing Initiative grant program.
To access the public safety dashboard, visit the Alton Police Department’s website at 🙌🏾🙌🏼🚨🚔👮🏿♂️👮♂️👮🏽♀️👮🏿♀️👏 Kevin Cannon
https://cityofaltonil.gov/alton-police/
Alton Police Department’s Partnership with SIUE Continues to Enhance Public Safety Through Technology and Transparency
ALTON, IL — Chief Jarrett Ford of the Alton Police Department is proud to announce that the department’s partnership with Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) and Professor Dennis Mares continues to strengthen public safety and improve transparency through innovative technology.
Through this collaboration, the Alton Police Department has been working to develop and expand a network of strategically placed surveillance cameras and license plate reader (LPR) systems throughout the community. These tools are designed to assist officers in preventing and investigating crime, identifying suspect vehicles, and enhancing overall situational awareness in key areas across the city.
“This partnership represents a forward-thinking approach to policing,” said Chief Ford. “By working with SIUE and Professor Mares, we are leveraging research-based strategies and modern technology to better protect our community while also increasing transparency with the public we serve.”
In addition to the camera network, the partnership has led to the creation of an interactive public data dashboard, now accessible through the Alton Police Department’s website. This dashboard provides residents with direct access to crime statistics in a user-friendly format.
Key features of the dashboard include:
• An interactive mapping system that visually displays reported incidents in Alton
• The ability to view crime data over customizable time periods
• Options to filter and analyze data by specific types of crime
This initiative allows community members to stay informed about public safety trends and fosters a greater understanding of policing efforts in Alton.
“Transparency is a critical component of modern policing,” Chief Ford added. “By making this information readily available, we are empowering residents with knowledge and strengthening trust between the department and the community.”
The Alton Police Department remains committed to utilizing partnerships, innovation, and data-driven strategies to enhance public safety and quality of life for all residents.
The project is funded by the Bureau of Justice Assistance’s Smart Policing Initiative grant program.
To access the public safety dashboard, visit the Alton Police Department’s website at
https://cityofaltonil.gov/alton-police/
