Operation Virtual Shield is a program implemented by Chicago, IL mayor Richard Daley, which created the most extensive video surveillance network in the United States[1] by linking more than 3000[2] surveillance cameras to a centralized monitoring system, which captures and processes camera feeds in real time. It is able to detect suspicious or dangerous activity and identify its location, and now incorporates facial recognition.[2] Virtual Shield is also used to record activity at a potential crime scene before police arrive at a call.[2] The cost of the program was $217 million dollars, much of which came from Homeland Security grants.[1][3]
Daley stated that Chicago will have a surveillance camera on every street corner by the year 2016.[1][3]