Indiana County Implements Surveillance Camera Program

Indiana County Implements Surveillance Camera Program

Project Guardian is funded by money seized from drug dealers. Schalk believes the program will help deter criminals and prevent illicit activity in the county’s parks.

Harrison County in Indiana has added cameras to Hayswood Park in Corydon as part of the county’s Project Guardian program. The goal of the program—and cameras—is to prevent crime and catch those who commit it.

"Not just as a prosecutor but as a dad of three little kids, I understand the importance of having your kids be able to go to the park and not just enjoy their time but be safe with it," Harrison County, Indiana Prosecutor Otto Schalk told Wave 3 News.

According to Schalk, the idea for Project Guardian came about after two girls were murdered in Delphi, Indiana, in Feb. 2017. The police’s best clue in that case is a blurry photo of the man believed to be their killer.

“And certainly the tragedy that happened in Delphi two years ago, you know it really reminded us that there is evil in this world. And it also reminded us that a camera is only useful if it has a high resolution, it can capture with crystal clarity images,” Schalk said.

The cameras used in the program let the county monitor parks using WiFi, monitored by police. The cameras in Hayswood Park are the only ones installed so far, but the county plans to install cameras in all 13 county parks.

“And we do have several remote parks, some of them are small. So the camera systems will let us figure out when we have a problem occurring so we can notify the authorities,” said Larry Shickles, Harrison County Parks Board President.

Video recordings are stored in the cloud and deleted after a month. The footage can help in prosecuting criminals.

“When I have a high definition video of you with a needle in your arm, sitting next to a playground, it certainly makes proving it that much easier,” Schalk said.

Project Guardian is funded by money seized from drug dealers. Schalk believes the program will help deter criminals and prevent illicit activity in the county’s parks.

“It makes our families feel safe, it makes parents feel safe when they’re here with their kids,” Shickles said.

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

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
  • SIA Releases New Report on Operational Security Technology

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has released an impactful new resource – Operational Security Technology: Principles, Challenges and Achieving Mission-Critical Outcomes Leveraging OST. Read Now

  • 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

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area.

  • 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.

  • EasyGate SPT and SPD

    EasyGate SPT SPD

    Security solutions do not have to be ordinary, let alone unattractive. Having renewed their best-selling speed gates, Cominfo has once again demonstrated their Art of Security philosophy in practice — and confirmed their position as an industry-leading manufacturers of premium speed gates and turnstiles.