Video surveillance helps police monitor small town
Renowned for its blossom trails and annual rodeo, Clovis, Calif., is a town rich in culture and historic perspective. But make no mistake, this small town in the foothills of the Sierra is on the forefront of the video security technology revolution. From an interconnected, city-wide system to high-speed, wireless access, Clovis is broadening the reach and effectiveness of its video security tools.
City-wide coverage
The system is made up of installed cameras dedicated to bringing remote sites and critical infrastructure under the watchful eye of law enforcement. It offers the capability for nearly all police department employees to view these video feeds as well as for the video to be sent via a wireless connection to officers in their patrol cars.
“We have a cutting-edge system that I doubt exists elsewhere in the United States,” Keyes explained. “We have had inquiries from other law enforcement agencies, and we feel strongly that our system has the potential to be a national showcase.”
The police department currently has cameras installed throughout the community and will collaborate with public and private partners to integrate their video feeds as well. Such relationships provide officers the ability to view crimes such as robberies, car thefts and acts of vandalism in real-time and respond with appropriate measures.
“The system has the potential to enhance public safety and save lives,” Keyes said. “Imagine having the potential to view events as they occur and be able to respond to a criminal event in process.”
A growing system
The System 9760 Video Matrix Switch, DX7100 DVRs, assorted fixed and movable cameras and PelcoNet Video Transmission Systems ensure camera control capabilities and direct displays of events occurring in multiple locations.
“We have linked, or will link, all cameras via fiber optics to the police department and other areas so that police personnel have real-time control of all cameras for public safety purposes,” Keyes explained.
Once linked to the hub at the police department, these same images will be available via the department’s LAN, which will then relay streaming video to patrol vehicles in coverage areas. The current high-speed wireless project under construction will eventually allow all 51 patrol cars to have this capability.
Immediate feedback
The video security solution already has paid off for Clovis. According to Keyes, had it not been for the presence of the video security system in the local jail, the city might have faced a multimillion dollar liability claim. But thanks to the archived video that captured the incident, this claim and others like it have been quickly dismissed.
In conclusion, Keyes explained that though the systems “may seem to be a significant investment, it is vital to understand that this is not the time to be penny-wise and pound foolish when it comes to security.”
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