Ottumwa Police Implement Milestone XProtect VMS

  • Aug 27, 2012

The Ottumwa Police Department in Iowa has worked to improve service and protect its town by implementing the Milestone XProtect video management software (VMS) and strategically mounted surveillance cameras. Since adding the software, where live events stream to dispatchers, the crime rate has decreased.

"The Milestone solution has made a tremendous difference in the safety of downtown Ottumwa: there has been a significant reduction in crimes across the board," said Jim Clark, chief of police at the Ottumwa Police Department. "With a live feed from around the city and instant access to video recordings for evidence, we publicize crime-related events to the townâ?Ts residents to further reinforce safety."

A small city with a proportionate police force, Ottumwa had its share of crime like any city in the nation: thefts, vandalism, drunk and disorderly people, burglaries and muggings. Looking to help enforce the law and improve protection of citizens, the police determined that a video surveillance solution would help manage crime and improve the rate of convictions.

Working together with consultants Electronic Technology, Inc. (ETI), the police designed a comprehensive surveillance system to provide a full high-definition (HD) video surveillance solution for monitoring the city streets, with the ability to view and download recorded video. Current Technologies Corporation (CTC) supplied and installed a wireless network with Milestone XProtect Enterprise VMS and 32 Axis network cameras.

Our design was based on the requirement for a robust solution that could be expanded when needed, said Dan Carr, Senior Systems Integrator at ETI. "Implementing an IP platform such as Milestone was the only viable solution for Ottumwa."

A wireless Motorola local area network (LAN) powers the system backbone. In about four weeks time, Axis Q6032-E PTZ dome cameras were stationed strategically in the intersections that police identified as problem areas.

"Installing the cameras and Milestone system was very easy for our technicians," said Darryl Bosak, VP of Operations at CTC. "The main issues that arose from this implementation were just ensuring the cameras and networking solution had enough power to run 24/7."

The video feeds travel through the broadband/wireless LAN and are broadcast at the police station where the operators and a select team of administrators have been given access. From the station, administrators assigned to operate the Milestone XProtect software have the ability to control the cameras live in real time: to zoom in on an event, face or license plate; to take screen snapshots for fast evidence; to move the camera views a full 360 degrees; or to change the screen views to other cameras in an instant.

"The 911 and dispatch operators required an easy-to-use system, something that wouldn't interfere with their already important duties," said Darryl Bosak, vice president of operations at Current Technologies. "From the end-user perspective, we are not dealing with technical people, so the entire department appreciated a point-and-click solution. Milestone XProtect user interface offers a simplified solution but with a level of professionalism, quality and reliability the force required to serve and protect the city."

The officers immediately began working with the Milestone solution as soon as it was installed. The improved detail coverage - from checking high-definition shots of faces and license plates to connecting multiple cameras for establishing a timeline of events - has improved the operations of the Ottumwa police on a large scale.

The advantages have proven to be multi-faceted. The police monitor live feeds for fast response, and review the recorded HD video, archived up to 30 days for evidence that is quick to find at the click of a button. Improved conviction rates shine a positive light on the city and its police force, with a safer quality of life for the citizens. The system's live monitoring allows police dispatchers and 911 operators to have a bird's-eye view of crimes as they happen, in addition to having the video stored on servers for playback analysis and evidence.

The prevention factor of the cameras has also helped bring down the crime rate. Police earn positive publicity from open communications, highlighting the installation in local news segments and showcasing evidence to the public after convictions. The department also called a press conference to announce the surveillance system and gave a complete demonstration with live feeds after the installation was complete.

"The surveillance is working," said Mickey Hucks, lieutenant of the Ottumwa Police Department. "We can see what needs to be seen successfully and efficiently with the Milestone solution. There is definitely a new perspective on the safety of our town. The decline in the rate of crime in Ottumwa has reinforced this great technology: we are proud to protect and serve our residents to the best of our ability and then some."

 

 


 

Featured

  • The Key to Wellbeing in the Office

    A few years ago, all we saw in the news was the ‘great resignation.’ Now we have another ‘great’ to deal with. According to CBRE, 2023 was the start of the ‘great return’ as office workers returned to their normal offices after working from home. The data shows that two-thirds of all U.S office buildings were more than 90% leased as of Q2 2023. Read Now

  • Failed Cybersecurity Controls Costing U.S. Businesses $30 Billion Yearly

    Panaseer recently released ControlWatch and the Continuous Controls Battle: Panaseer 2025 Security Leaders Report examining the cost of cybersecurity control failures and the impact of growing personal liability for security failings on security leaders. The report analyzes the findings of a survey of 400 security decision makers (SDMs) across the US and UK. It shows that security leaders feel under increasing pressure to provide assurances around cybersecurity, exposing them to greater personal risk – yet many lack the data and resources to accurately report and close cybersecurity gaps. Read Now

  • The Business Case for Video Analytics: Understanding the Real ROI

    For security professionals who may be hesitant to invest in video analytics, now's the time to reconsider. In a newly released Omdia report commissioned by BriefCam (now Milestone Systems), the research firm uncovered a compelling story: more than 85% of North American and European organizations that use video analytics achieve a return on investment within just one year. The study, which surveyed 140 end users across multiple industries, demonstrates that security technology is no longer just for security — it's a cross-organizational tool that delivers measurable business value far beyond traditional safety applications. Read Now

  • Survey: 54% of Organizations Cite Technical Debt as Top Hurdle to Identity System Modernization

    Modernizing identity systems is proving difficult for organizations due to two key challenges: decades of accumulated Identity and Access Management (IAM) technical debt and the complexity of managing access across multiple identity providers (IDPs). These findings come from the new Strata Identity-commissioned report, State of Multi-Cloud Identity: Insights and Trends for 2025. The report, based on survey data from the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), highlights trends and challenges in securing cloud environments. The CSA is the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment. Read Now

Most   Popular

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation. 3

  • 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. 3

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols. 3