University Of Texas At San Antonio Cuts Parking Lot Crime With ADT Technology

  • May 27, 2009

The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) has enhanced security in three of its largest parking lots with the addition of video surveillance systems from ADT Security Services. The installation includes cameras, transmitted via a wireless mesh system, which monitor a 600-space remote parking lot about a quarter-mile from the university’s main campus.

The ADT system has already helped solve several break-ins and auto theft cases, according to campus police. The success of the wireless mesh system, which has been operational since early 2007, led the university to recently install more wired cameras in two other parking lots.

Due to the remote location of the 600-space lot 13, ADT chose a wireless mesh system as a reliable, less expensive means of transmitting the video to the campus police office.

“The wireless system was the most effective way to get data from such a far-away area without the cost and environmental impact of trenching associated with a wired system,” said Daniel Pena, UTSA assistant police chief.

Pena said his officers and ADT have worked with the system, making adjustments to camera positions and the overall security strategy. The changes have made the system more effective.

The wireless cameras allow the security team to capture video as cars come and go from the university’s largest parking lot. The team looks for suspicious activity such as cars circling past open spaces and people lingering near parked vehicles. If a suspicious activity is identified, cameras allow officers to zoom in and capture license plate numbers of cars entering and exiting the lot. The cameras have also helped campus police identify suspects.

“We are generally able to identify offenders as they exit the lot,” Pena said. “We capture the license plate and we’ve got them. The system has been an invaluable tool for identifying suspects and shutting down theft rings.”

Following the success of the wireless installation in lot 13, Pena and his department had ADT add more wired cameras to two additional 300-space parking lots closer to the main campus.

ADT is also completing installation of video, access control and emergency intercom systems in the university’s college of business.

“We are seeing many of the nation’s universities begin to take a more comprehensive approach to overall security,” said Patrick Fiel, ADT’s public safety advisor. “This will help make campuses safer, while helping to manage and coordinate security much more efficiently.”

Featured

  • Trends Keeping an Eye on Business Decisions

    Today, AI continues to transform the way data is used to make important business decisions. AI and the cloud together are redefining how video surveillance systems are being used to simulate human intelligence by combining data analysis, prediction, and process automation with minimal human intervention. Many organizations are upgrading their surveillance systems to reap the benefits of technologies like AI and cloud applications. Read Now

  • The Future is Happening Outside the Cloud

    For years, the cloud has captivated the physical security industry. And for good reason. Remote access, elastic scalability and simplified maintenance reshaped how we think about deploying and managing systems. But as the number of cameras grows and resolutions push from HD to 4K and beyond, the cloud’s limits are becoming unavoidable. Bandwidth bottlenecks. Latency lags. Rising storage costs. These are not abstract concerns. Read Now

  • The Impact of Convergence Between IT and Physical Security

    For years, the worlds of physical security and information technology (IT) remained separate. While they shared common goals and interests, they often worked in silos. Read Now

  • Unlocking Trustworthy AI: Building Transparency in Security Governance

    In situations where AI supports important security tasks like leading investigations and detecting threats and anomalies, transparency is essential. When an incident occurs, investigators must trace the logic behind each automated response to confirm its validity or spot errors. Demanding interpretable AI turns opaque “black boxes” into accountable partners that enhance, rather than compromise, organizational defense. Read Now

  • Seeking Innovative Solutions

    Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Depression and Acceptance. You may recognize these terms as the “5 Phases” of a grieving process, but they could easily describe the phases one goes through before adopting any new or emerging innovation or technology, especially in a highly risk-averse industry like security. However, the desire for convenience in all aspects of modern life is finally beginning to turn the tide from old school hardware as the go-to towards more user-friendly, yet still secure, door solutions. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.

  • AC Nio

    AC Nio

    Aiphone, a leading international manufacturer of intercom, access control, and emergency communication products, has introduced the AC Nio, its access control management software, an important addition to its new line of access control solutions.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.