Dubai Police Start Using AI Technology to Tackle Crimes

Artificial Intelligence will be used as a new tool to tackle crimes in Dubai. UAE. (AFP/ File Photo)

Security guards will always be needed for hands-on, live monitoring of homes and businesses.

But rapid advances in technology will make simple devices such as closed circuit television cameras just as effective in some cases as trained humans, say Dubai Police.

Take, for example, a new Artificial Intelligence (AI) network that will link security cameras across Dubai to monitor and identify criminal security breaches live from a central command centre, said Dubai Police.

New AI software will ensure that thousands of CCTV cameras will be linked in one command room to fight criminal behaviour in three sectors; tourism, traffic and bricks-and-mortar facilities.

The AI software is so smart in some cases, it will identify any assailant already known to the police as a crime is being committed, police said.

The network, said police, is being phased in via different stages to meet the Dubai 2021 Vision requirements of a smart city.

Major General Khalil Ebrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs at Dubai Police, said the new project called ‘Oyoon’ or ‘Eyes’ — will tackle crimes in the city and help reduce roadside deaths and traffic jams.

“Dubai is changing, and we must be prepared for the changes. The project was launched to tackle crime and reduce traffic accidents. Government and private sectors will participate in securing the emirate,” Maj Gen Al Mansouri said.

How it will work

Digital brains: Oyoon (Eyes), with an open budget, aims to link all security cameras in the city in one place and the use of Artificial Intelligence will give surveillance cameras digital brains to match their eyes, letting them analyse live video with no human help required.

According to Maj Gen Al Mansouri, this is good news for public safety, as it helps police and first responders more easily to spot crimes and accidents and also has a range of scientific and industrial applications. “Many sites in Dubai operate surveillance cameras and we aim to link all in one place for data analysis and to respond to emergency situations. Oyoon will link all government and private sectors surveillance cameras under one umbrella,” Maj Gen Al Mansouri said.

Brigadier Jamal Salim Al Jallaf, deputy director of Administrative Affairs Department, said using AI will help the police become more efficient.

“We are making a study on the existing cameras in Dubai and their types to see what we can do with them. We plan to use AI in the cameras. So we can issue a traffic fine to an offender without requiring an officer to stop him,” Brig Al Jallaf said.

One mugshot is all it takes: Police will have the ability to digitally tail criminals around the city just by uploading a mugshot onto a database.

Dubai Police said they can use the audio system in the cameras to warn thieves before they commit a crime that they have been spotted.

“Imagine there is a burglar about to break into a jewellery shop — we can use the audio in the system to warn him that we are watching him.”

Artificial Intelligence for video surveillance utilises computer software programmes that analyse the images from video surveillance cameras in order to recognise humans, vehicles or objects. It changes the images or videos into data to help the decision maker or the official to respond in a quick way to crimes or any suspicious situations.

AI sends an alert if it detects a trespasser breaking the “rule” which says that no person is allowed in that area.

Villa residents: install the app. Dubai Police want security companies to participate more in the security sector especially after launching a new initiative for villa residents to secure their homes by installing CCTV cameras and motion sensors in cooperation with du and the Transguard group to install cameras and sensors in villas.

In this programme, residents can download the Dubai Police smart app to sign up for the home security service and enter their details, home location and time of travel so that the police can send patrols to check on their homes.

Additionally, residents can also choose the services of either du or Transguard to install cameras to secure their homes. The two companies will be linked to the police command room for speedy response to any alert.
 Major General Khalil Ebrahim Al Mansouri, Assistant Commander-in-Chief for Criminal Investigation Affairs at Dubai Police, said this is an important step to create a safer city and to crack down on villa robberies.

“Those who register [for the app] can enjoy peace of mind knowing that they can also have the facility of [surveillance] cameras installed and have their home safe under the supervision of Dubai Police. Thieves will think twice before approaching a house that has been thus secured,” Maj Gen Al Mansouri said.