TAOS, N.M. (KRQE) – A northern New Mexico sheriff’s office is taking a new approach to prepare for an active shooter through technology. Taos County Sheriff’s Office deputies now have access to remote video feeds to several key locations from a unique car.
“It makes our schools safer, it’s designed to help keep our children safe, our teachers safe, our citizens safe,” said Taos County Sheriff Steve Miera.
Story continues below
Community: What’s happening around New Mexico March 29-April 4
Trending: ‘Stranger Things’ home in Albuquerque up for sale
Crime: Albuquerque family in search of vehicle that killed their daughter in hit-and-run
It can take minutes for first responders to get to any scene, including ones where seconds matter. Now, the Taos County Sheriff’s Office is using technology to better identify threats in critical situations, like an active shooter.
“All too often we see active threats, active shooter incidents, throughout the country, and more often times than not, because of the time it takes to respond, law enforcement finds itself behind the curve,” said Sheriff Miera.
They’ve installed monitors in one of their units showing live video feeds from security cameras. Those feeds connect to some local charter schools, the Holy Cross Hospital, and Taos Municipal Airport. “What happens is it mitigates time response, officer time response because as you know, time equals lives in an active shooter situation,” said Miera.
Special Deputy Mike Holley is one of the masterminds behind it. He said the technology allows them to better see and share info as to where a threat is.
“This would be helpful to any law enforcement agency if they had cameras or eyes inside before they arrive. This is going to be huge for in the event of an active threat at a school to be able to locate the threat even before we get there,” said Holley.
So far, Taos Municipal Schools is not on the system over some privacy concerns. However, the sheriff said the video feeds aren’t recorded by deputies.
Miera believes his office might be the first agency in the state with the technology, but he hopes others will pick up on it soon. “Once we can get this refined, we can help other state law enforcement agencies push this out and equip them with our ideas,” said Miera.
The sheriff’s office also has access to Questa, Peñasco, and Red River schools. The department hopes to add another unit with the technology as backup.
