Safer Cities: How Milestone and Axis are Shaping Urban Safety

In the latest episode of Beyond the Pavise, host Blaine Bowman is joined by two public safety veterans—Chris Shearer from Milestone Systems and Dean Cunningham from Axis Communications—to explore how technology is transforming the future of urban safety.

With decades of combined experience in law enforcement, Chris and Dean now help cities harness video, audio, and data analytics to prevent crime, improve emergency response, and enhance everyday quality of life. Their mission is clear: leverage smart technology not only to solve crime but to build trust and create safer, more livable communities.

Chris draws from his background in major crimes and narcotics to emphasize how real-time video management and intelligent analytics can drastically accelerate investigations—especially within the crucial first 24 hours. Dean, a pioneer in body-worn camera deployment, adds perspective on integrating technology into law enforcement workflows and how data enables precision policing—targeting problems with strategy, not guesswork.

From tracking violent crime suspects across city boundaries to managing traffic flow and identifying loitering hotspots, the conversation highlights how Milestone and Axis are redefining what it means to build a “safe city.” With smart cameras, open-platform software, and interagency collaboration, they’re helping public safety teams respond faster, deploy resources smarter, and ultimately make cities feel better—not just function better.

Whether it’s stopping organized retail theft or preparing for large-scale emergency events with digital twins, this episode demonstrates that when tech is tailored to purpose, the impact goes far beyond surveillance—it becomes a strategy for safer, smarter living.

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