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Police report uptick in Midtown crime; department describes ZeroEyes gun‑detection AI and local lighting/camera needs
Summary
Daytona Beach police reported a rise in violent crime in Midtown, including the first homicide of the year, and described use of an AI gun‑detection system tied to Genetec cameras. Officers urged improvements to lighting and cameras and said a state bill may restrict AI gun detection.
Daytona Beach police told the Midtown Redevelopment Board on Jan. 29 that the Midtown corridor has experienced an increase in violent and property crimes and outlined a mix of enforcement and technology measures to address the trend.
The police presentation covered calls for service and arrest statistics for the reporting period between Jan. 14 and Feb. 10: 2,493 calls for service, 631 reports completed, 76 felony arrests and 88 misdemeanor arrests, according to the department. Officers said there was the city’s first homicide of the year during the period; that investigation remains ongoing.
As part of proactive operations, department officials reported conducting approximately 976 extra patrols focused on the Midtown corridor. The department also cited several recent warrant and apprehension operations and said special‑event policing for the Rolex 24 and the half marathon went without major incident; Speedweeks and Bike Week were upcoming.
The department described a technology pilot used with the municipal Genetec camera system called ZeroEyes, an artificial‑intelligence detection tool that flags when a firearm appears to be brandished. “Once the firearm has been brandished, the AI will detect it. We’ll send it to a call center, which is manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. And then a human being will then observe it, confirm that it is indeed a firearm, and then, you know, appropriately dispatch police officers,” the captain said.
Police noted there is a bill under consideration in the Florida Legislature that, if passed, would prohibit use of AI for firearm detection in some contexts. The captain said the department understands privacy and constitutional concerns raised by some lawmakers but argued the system is intended to detect overt, public brandishing and not private, concealed or in‑home conduct.
Board members and residents raised lighting and camera coverage as critical needs. The department reported a new lieutenant in charge of special projects and a sergeant assigned as the police‑code compliance liaison; the sergeant will conduct a CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) test study at Joe Harris Park to evaluate lighting, fencing and landscaping and propose environmental improvements.
Officials said they have conducted targeted school‑time briefings and that a consistent 4 p.m. presence near Campbell Middle School has reduced problems there. The department also reported coordination with federal partners in an apprehension related to attempted‑homicide warrants and described increases in robberies, vehicle thefts and burglaries during the reporting window.
There were questions about civilian security concerns at houses of worship following a federal court case and related advisory notices; police said they had received no specific local tips or threats but had conducted training and outreach with the Black Clergy Alliance.
No formal board action was taken; the presentation was informational and prompted discussion of lighting upgrades, camera placements and continued patrol activity.
