NY cops to accept crime photos, videos from public

NEW YORK (Reuters) - New York City crime fighting and city officials can now receive photos and videos from citizens faced with anything from a dangerous crime-in-progress to a pothole, officials said on Tuesday.

Callers to emergency telephone number 911 are now able to send photos or video from a cell phone or computer to the New York Police Department's Real Time Crime Center, where relevant images may be used to assist in crime fighting or in responding to other emergencies.

The public will also be able to send pictures and videos from computers and Web-enabled cell phones and other devices to accompany certain quality of life complaints, which are fielded via the city services 311 telephone number.

New York police receive about 11 million 911 calls annually and the 311 number receives about 15 million calls each year.

"We are bringing government accountability and crime-fighting to a whole new level," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg in a statement. "If your cell phone is equipped with a camera ... you might be able to get a picture of something that will help the police solve a crime."

NYPD Commissioner Raymond Kelly said, "When it comes to crime fighting, a picture is worth more than a thousand words. This is just one more tool to help the public help the police in our powerful partnership."

Depending on the case, the images may be shared widely with the public, with police officers on patrol, individual detectives or other law enforcement agencies.

On the city services side, officials said photo and video evidence could accompany complaints about things such as potholes, damaged or missing traffic signs, dirty vacant lots, parking meter issues, graffiti and animal issues.

(Reporting by Christian Wiessner, Editing by Sandra Maler)