Criminals ‘Caught on Camera’ by Mission Police Department Using Firetide

Newly expanded wireless network provides immediate results in high-crime areas and improves response times for police and emergency services.

Firetide, Inc., the leading provider of high-performance wireless infrastructure mesh networks, has announced that the City of Mission, TX Police Department has successfully completed phase two deployment of Firetide’s wireless infrastructure mesh video surveillance network. The newly expanded video security network enables the Mission Police Department (MPD) to watch for crimes in progress and better protect the citizens of the community.

Armed robberies, vandalism and police pursuits have been caught on MPD’s wireless video surveillance system that is playing a key role in the arrest of criminals and improving the city’s safety. The system, designed and deployed by Houston-based systems integrator Teksys Inc., uses Firetide’s wireless infrastructure mesh equipment and a combination of Axis and Sony video cameras which are monitored in real-time, 24x7 by police officials.

“Within the first week of operation, the newly expanded Firetide wireless video network has been a huge success and was instrumental in identifying and arresting criminals in three separate felony offenses,” said Marin Garza Jr., Mission Police Department’s Chief of Police. “The wireless mesh network gives us coverage and clear visual access to areas that don’t have continuous police presence. Additionally, it greatly improves police and emergency personnel response times to incidents occurring in these locations.”

Since it was first deployed in July 2009, the Firetide wireless system has grown considerably from the original six mesh node system, to the current 33 mesh node wireless network. MPD chose Firetide’s wireless infrastructure mesh system over a fiber-based solution because it provides the equivalent functionality and performance at a much lower cost and gives them the flexibility to move and place cameras when and where they are needed most. The new expansion includes 27 outdoor HotPort 7020 mesh nodes which form the wireless network and a combination of 23 fixed, point-tilt-zoom (PTZ) and thermal imaging cameras from Sony and Axis Communications. The video cameras connect directly to the mesh nodes and are placed in high-crime areas, parks, and on utility poles located at multiple traffic intersections throughout the city. Funding for the project comes from a combination of Mission’s city budget and the police department’s drug-seizure fund.

The live video feeds are sent to a primary MPD viewing station where designated watch commanders, police officers, and 911 dispatchers can monitor cameras around the clock. While most of the success stories were real-time apprehensions of criminals by police alerted to an incident by a 911 dispatcher, many are also after-the-fact apprehensions that result from reviewing video recordings stored on the system. For example, one recording helped identify a suspect targeting copper, wood and construction materials in a new development area of town.

“We chose to partner with Firetide because they have proven that they deliver the industry’s best performing wireless solution for video surveillance. We have deployed more than 1,000 Firetide wireless mesh nodes for our customers over the past three years with excellent results,” said David Madrigal, president of Teksys Wireless Solutions. “The flexibility, performance, reliability and advanced features of their infrastructure make it a perfect fit for the Mission Police and other public safety, municipal and industrial installations.”

“The success of the surveillance system in Mission, TX serves as an example to other cities of the tangible benefits a high performance wireless infrastructure can provide for law enforcement and public safety officials,” said Duane Zitzner, CEO of Firetide. “Wireless greatly speeds deployment and simplifies installation, allowing cities to deploy many more cameras in remote, high-crime locations at a much lower cost than a conventional wired surveillance network.”

Featured

New Products

  • Mobile Safe Shield

    Mobile Safe Shield

    SafeWood Designs, Inc., a manufacturer of patented bullet resistant products, is excited to announce the launch of the Mobile Safe Shield. The Mobile Safe Shield is a moveable bullet resistant shield that provides protection in the event of an assailant and supplies cover in the event of an active shooter. With a heavy-duty steel frame, quality castor wheels, and bullet resistant core, the Mobile Safe Shield is a perfect addition to any guard station, security desks, courthouses, police stations, schools, office spaces and more. The Mobile Safe Shield is incredibly customizable. Bullet resistant materials are available in UL 752 Levels 1 through 8 and include glass, white board, tack board, veneer, and plastic laminate. Flexibility in bullet resistant materials allows for the Mobile Safe Shield to blend more with current interior décor for a seamless design aesthetic. Optional custom paint colors are also available for the steel frame.

  • 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.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.