High Profile Events

Keeping the network secure helps protect Boston Marathon runners

Boston is not only Massachusetts’ largest city and capital; it is the largest city in New England. With a territory stretching 48 square miles and an estimated population of 645,966, it holds the title of the 24th largest city in the United States.

The city is an important manufacturing hub, port and cultural center. Its many colleges and universities have made the city an international center for higher education, as well as a world leader in medicinal innovation. Additionally, Boston’s rich history attracts an astounding number of tourists each year. The colonial-era Faneuil Hall alone draws more than 20 million visitors annually.

Since the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing, officials at sports facilities and special events throughout the country have increased their focus on public safety. In addition, city officials have sought to provide enhanced coverage for events like the South Boston St. Patrick’s Day Parade, which attracts nearly 750,000 people.

Realizing the need for stronger surveillance in high-profile locations such as the marathon route, the city of Boston decided to increase civilian protection. The new security measures included doubling law enforcement personnel to about 3,500, the addition of bomb-sniffing dogs, and a SWAT team provided by the FBI.

The Boston Police Department worked with experienced companies to install a robust IP-based surveillance network to enhance video coverage in high-risk areas. Efficient security for events such as these requires shared visibility of common areas in public-private partnerships. Participants included LAN-TEL Communications, a Norwood, Mass.-based contractor; Sonet Electrical Systems of Woburn, Mass.; and Motorola of Schaumburg, Ill.

Officials leveraged DVTEL’s enterprise-class Latitude Network Video Management System (NVMS) and associated cameras to safeguard more than 30,000 runners and nearly one million spectators along the 26.2-mile course. Equipment was positioned strategically in various areas surrounding the parade with live video feeds from the cameras streaming instantaneously back to Boston Police headquarters. Latitude NVMS was chosen to merge existing, standalone DVTEL video surveillance systems in the Metro Boston area into a single, unified system for routine monitoring, scene recording and general investigation that will achieve new levels of intelligence.

More than 30 quick-deploy cameras were designed into a system by a skilled team of technicians in the weeks prior to the events. The devices, specifically designed for this type of deployment, each carried NEMA enclosures housing a camera, network switch, and power supply. The pre-configured units were deployed for pole mounting on street and traffic lights and wall-mounted on the sides of buildings throughout South Boston.

This approach provided the police with a direct overview of the parade route, while delivering live video to command center personnel for immediate monitoring. The security installation also integrated the monitoring of all cameras via DVTEL’s Latitude Network Video Management System. In addition to the cameras, Shot Spotter’s gunshot detection solution was integrated into the video management system. DVTEL Cloud Services was used to monitor all system health components.

Boston’s investment in a robust IP-based surveillance platform via DVTEL has allowed the city to minimize potential security risks and build a proactive approach to preventing threats to public safety. This comprehensive and effective approach to gathering intelligence has ultimately created a higher level of security for Boston’s residents and visitors.

Law enforcement and race officials monitored activity from multi-agency command centers to maximize efforts, while ensuring collaboration between law enforcement, event organizers, and other aligned stakeholders. DVTEL’s Latitude NVMS provided global situational awareness by linking several separate camera networks to a single entity for greater visibility, and to provide more insight into safety and security operations.

Following the success of the 2015 Boston Marathon, other race and special event organizers are looking to Boston for inspiration on how to best address their own security challenges. This year’s race is a testament to the capabilities of today’s surveillance technology, as well as the power of collaboration between police, event organizers and other stakeholders.

“Since the bombing at the 2013 Boston Marathon, race officials throughout the country have made security a number one priority,” said Yoav Stern, CEO of DVTEL. “DVTEL is proud to be a part of Boston’s efforts to ensure safety, while providing law enforcement with greater visibility to effectively and efficiently respond to incidents. This year’s collaborative efforts were deemed a success, and other race and special event organizers are now looking to Boston as a model for their future security endeavors.”

This article originally appeared in the November 2015 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • It's Show Time

    I am one of those people that likes to see things get bigger and better. As advertised, ISC West is going to be bigger (more exhibitors) and better (more attendees). It’s show time in Las Vegas. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • ISC West
  • Cyber Overconfidence Is Leaving Your Organization Vulnerable

    The increased sophistication of cyber threats pumped by the relentless use of AI and machine learning brings forth record-breaking statistics. Cyberattacks grew 44% YoY in 2024, with a weekly average of 1,673 cyberattacks per organization. While organizations up their security game to help thwart these attacks, a critical question remains: Can employees identify a threat when they come across one? A Confidence Gap survey reveals that 86% of employees feel confident in their ability to identify phishing attempts. But things are not as rosy as they appear; the more significant part of the report finds this confidence misplaced. Read Now

  • Mission 500 Debuts Refreshed Identity Ahead of Security 5K/2K at ISC West

    Mission 500, the security industry’s nonprofit charity dedicated to supporting children in need across the US, Canada, and Puerto Rico, has unveiled a refreshed brand identity ahead of ISC West. The charity’s new look includes a modernized logo with refined messaging to reinforce Mission 500’s nearly decade-long commitment to serving the needs of children and families in crisis. Read Now

    • Industry Events
  • Meeting Modern Demands

    Door hardware and access control continue to be at the forefront of innovation within the security industry, continuously evolving to meet the dynamic needs of commercial spaces. Read Now

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • 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.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.