Wireless Video Surveillance Drives Public Safety Networks

Jun 26, 2007 3:40 PM

           

Firetide Inc., a developer of wireless mesh networks, shared the company's perspective for wireless networking in the public safety market based on its experience deploying public safety networks in 2006 and 2007. More than 50 percent of Firetide's installations include video applications.

Firetide works with law enforcement and public safety agencies across the U.S. to deploy fixed wireless surveillance for high-traffic areas (Dallas downtown), crime deterrence in high-crime areas (Rockford, Ill., Housing Authority properties), covert surveillance for criminal investigations (Phoenix police department) and temporary surveillance networks (Texas State Fair).

"Whether it's a drug crime, a homicide or a Homeland security concern, your best intelligence is going to come from first-line officers on the street. Wireless video surveillance makes their jobs more efficient, which will pay off multiple times for the major crimes we are investigating," says Chris Jensen, detective with the Drug Enforcement Bureau of the Phoenix police department. Jensen supports the use of wireless mesh networking and IP video surveillance cameras for criminal investigations in the Phoenix metro area.

Firetide lists the success factors for these projects:

* Draw from multiple sources of funding. Investigate various sources of funding, which may be available from departmental budgets, Homeland security grants and even private grants. Additionally, a public safety network can be securely augmented to provide more services such as public Internet access and voice over IP.

* Address privacy concerns head-on. For overt surveillance, adopt written surveillance guidelines and ensure personnel are properly trained. Inform affected constituencies-residents, businesses, and media-ahead of time; open communications and public demonstrations are well received. For covert surveillance, reassure the public and the media that the surveillance is conducted strictly within the law.

* Anticipate staffing and training needs. Police personnel need training on the new monitoring technology -- for example, remote camera management or mastering the video management software. Learning curves may vary, so allow for this in the training process. For large surveillance projects, a creative approach is to hire retired police personnel who may be interested in working part-time in the monitoring room.

* Partner for success. Seek out system integrators and suppliers who are comfortable with wireless and IP technologies and who will support you. Interagency cooperation is also essential for rapid deployment.

* Consider the total infrastructure. Identify the backhaul options--how you will connect the wireless mesh to the monitoring station--early in the planning stages. Wired and wireless are both viable options; backhaul can be dedicated or shared with other local government applications.

"With up to 80 percent lower network infrastructure cost compared to cable, wireless mesh networks make citywide IP video surveillance practical," says Bo Larsson, CEO of Firetide. "Video surveillance offers immediate payback in the form of crime deterrence and reduced personnel needs. Municipalities would be wise to start with public safety as they embark on broadband wireless projects, to avoid the snags many public access deployments are facing."

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