Houston Leverages IDIS Video Surveillance Technology and Edge360 Inovation to Ensure Public Safety

• By Sydny Shepard
• Jul 12, 2016

IDIS and Edge360 have announced the proof of concept of the companies’ groundbreaking mobile Public Safety Video System during the City of Houston’s 2016 Freedom Over Texas Festival. The deployment of the system by the City of Houston over the 4^th of July weekend further confirms the nation’s fourth largest city’s place as a homeland security innovator, with a demonstrated commitment to public safety and the security of both residents and visitors.

In partnership with the City of Houston, Edge360 deployed their powerful mobile Public Safety Video System, featuring next-generation surveillance technology from IDIS. A rugged and nimble surveillance tool, the system is purpose-built to assist public safety personnel in the coverage of urban events and incidents, especially those of a traditionally chaotic and changing nature. While traditional surveillance set-ups for major community and large sporting events face common challenges related to their dynamic nature, changes within venues—such as the erection of tents, banners, balloons, portable toilets, and vendors—can limit viewing options and unpredictably alter security landscapes. The Edge360 and IDIS mobile system allows for quick and enhanced surveillance that adapts easily and quickly to altered environments, including from interior perspectives. Additionally, added radio frequency noise, which is common in such situations, can create an environment “hostile” to a traditional video system’s responsiveness, a risk that is successfully mitigated by Edge360’s hybrid and wireless technology innovations.

The City of Houston’s commitment to latest-generation technology and methods in the service of maximum safety and security was easily matched by Edge360 and IDIS’s commitment to agile, powerful surveillance innovation.

“The mobile Public Safety Video System provided by Edge360 and enhanced with IDIS surveillance technology really delivered for the people of Houston this weekend,” noted Jack C. Hanagriff of the Houston Office of Public Safety and Homeland Security. “Houston is one of the country’s most dynamic urban environments and our commitment to the safety and security of our people at all times is second to none. This solution successfully delivered a powerful ‘plug-and-play’ video network capable of cellular or wireless backhaul and one that did not interfere with existing video networks or other wireless devices in use.

“Importantly, this solution did not tax more than typical city resources commonly found in most urban communities, and the remote camera control via web browsers greatly enhanced situational awareness for our decision makers.”

Scott Frigaard, Vice President of Edge360, stated, “We’re pleased to see the deployment of Edge360’s powerful mobile Public Safety Video System has so successfully proven the value of our technology in the real world environment of the dynamic 2016 Freedom Over Texas Festival. The Edge360 system, built with IDIS technology, addresses ever more urgent concerns for municipal environments as never before. We look forward to partnering further with both IDIS, the provider of key next-generation technology essential to our offering’s performance and success, and the storied City of Houston for future gatherings and major sporting events, such as the upcoming Super Bowl.”

“Sometimes surveillance is about more than the numbers,” added Keith Drummond, Senior Director at IDIS America. “There is nothing more important than the safety of our friends and neighbors in an increasingly chaotic world. IDIS is proud to partner with Edge360, allowing them to leverage our most powerful surveillance technologies to keep the people of Houston safe and secure as they gather together to celebrate as a community. We look forward to future projects and to doing our part to make the world a better place.”