Officials on Hilton Head Island are installing new cameras and exploring artificial intelligence tools across local beaches and parking lots following late-night gatherings and shootings. A public safety assessment carried out alongside the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office recommended updated technology, extra cameras, and better lighting in the Coligny area to address late-night loitering by armed youths. The town has already begun using AI software on existing camera footage to count visitors at Coligny Beach Park, with further hardware and software enhancements planned to deter crime and speed up emergency responses. Public Safety Director Bob Bromage noted that the emerging technology could also assist in finding missing children, enforcing beach alcohol bans, and penalising littering. Town officials stated in a press release that the surveillance technology will be employed exclusively for legitimate public safety, emergency response, and law enforcement purposes.

Background: Surveillance and Smart Cities

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