Public safety is the foundation of a thriving community. Today, the City of Mount Vernon officially unveiled its state-of-the-art AWARE Room, a real-time public safety awareness and coordination center developed with Motorola Solutions. This marks a significant milestone in Mount Vernon’s continued transformation toward community-centered, technology-driven policing. 

“Public safety is more than policing—it’s about prevention, presence, and partnership,” said Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard. “Through data-driven strategies and cutting-edge technology like the AWARE Room, we’re redefining what it means to serve and protect. We are not just responding to crime—we are proactively building a safer, smarter Mount Vernon.” 

“The AWARE Room is a game-changer for the Mount Vernon Police Department,” added Acting Police Commissioner David Gibson. “It enhances our ability to monitor, assess, and respond to incidents as they unfold. This real-time intelligence helps us protect our officers and our residents more effectively and builds the kind of responsiveness and trust our community deserves.” 

Mount Vernon’s AWARE Room provides police command staff with a centralized, real-time view  of public safety situations—such as ongoing crimes or 911 emergencies—enabling faster and  more informed responses. It pulls in video from the city’s fixed and mobile security cameras and  license plate readers, as well as security cameras at community businesses who have signed  on to enhance collaboration in crime prevention. AI-enabled analytics help detect unusual activity and automatically alert AWARE Room staff to events that may require attention.  

“We congratulate Mount Vernon for its innovative use of technology to enhance safety and  security for residents, visitors, and businesses,” said Mike Leonard, Regional Vice President at  Motorola Solutions. “Technology like this has helped to get first responders to the scene of 911  calls faster, find missing and vulnerable people, and locate stolen vehicles more quickly. We’re  proud that the new AWARE Room will support the Mount Vernon Police Department in doing what they do best, which is protecting the local community.”  

This unveiling comes amid broader efforts to modernize public safety and reduce crime in Mount Vernon. Under the leadership of this administration, the city has: 

• Achieved a nearly 10% reduction in violent crime over the past year.

• Strengthened community partnerships to improve trust and transparency. 

• Deployed more body-worn cameras and data-driven patrol strategies.

• Addressed crimes of opportunity—such as larcenies and catalytic converter thefts—through prevention, deterrence, and education. 

  
  

Mount Vernon’s public safety transformation is not just about responding to crime—it's about reimagining safety and investing in tools that empower officers, inform the public, and build a more connected community.