Eyes Wide Open

New technology enables better school security

  • By Andrea Iniguez
  • Nov 01, 2008

ADT’s National Back to School Security Survey, a sampling of nearly 2,000 parents, indicates nearly 50 percent of parents are concerned their child could be targeted by a sexual predator at school; close to 40 percent are concerned about potential abduction from school; and more than a third fear a violent episode at school. With those statistics, it is not surprising that many parents say they would support spending more money on security measures for their school.

Despite the limited budgets of state and local governments, communities are finding ways to upgrade their security systems and use the latest technology to support their security plans. Upgrading to security systems using megapixel IP cameras with ultra-wide angle lenses can be cost effective by reducing the number of cameras and eliminating cabling and DVRs without sacrificing video surveillance area.

Simple and Stable
One example is the Murrieta Valley, Calif., Unified School District. At one of the district’s high schools, a security system upgrade would remove all 170 existing analog cameras and replace them with 43 megapixel cameras with ultra-wide-angle lenses from Theia Technologies. One of the main concerns in ensuring the safety of students and staff is the system’s reliability.

“The analog system was always breaking down, and there were too many cameras to manage,” said Bill Olien, assistant superintendent of the Murrieta school district. “The new system will be much simpler and less costly to maintain and monitor.”

In the fall of 2007, the district hired Johnson Consulting Engineers, located in Poway, Calif., to survey and assess the district’s needs. The engineering firm specializes in the design of electrical and technology systems for schools and has designed systems for more than 1,000 schools in California and Arizona. After assessment of the installed system, the firm was retained to design a new video security system.

The school district funded a districtwide video security system upgrade through a local bond. Implementation of the project, worth more than $1 million, began in September and will be completed in March 2009.

Improved Coverage
The district’s first priority was safety. In terms of system goals, that meant designing a system that would provide greater coverage with improved image clarity over the current analog system. A typical analog camera and lens has a narrow coverage area, or if it does cover a wider area, the resolution is so poor that the image would not be able to provide a legally acceptable description of people should the need arise.

A major factor in the design was ensuring adequate camera coverage for all areas without inundating the system with too many cameras.

John Frisbie, JCE vice president, said they designed the system around IQinVision’s megapixel cameras and Theia Technologies’ ultra-wide-angle lens. Before specifying this combination, they tested the lens-camera combination and compared it directly against a typical analog pairing.

“What’s remarkable about the system we’ve designed is that with Theia’s wideangle high-resolution lens, we can cover the same area more cost effectively,” Frisbie said. The lens, which provides a 135-degree horizontal field of view, uses a patented linear optical technology to optically correct the barrel (fish eye) distortion found in other wide-angle lenses, without any software.

“Theia’s lens allows you to consistently cover a very large area and digitally zoom in 60 to 70 feet to get an image that allows a legal description,” Frisbie said. “No other lens can do this.”

The combination of high-megapixel resolution, up to 5 megapixels with the wide-angle lens, provides more pixels per degree of image, allowing an end user to zoom in without pixelation. PTZ cameras used in other systems allow the user to zoom but fail to capture a large area continuously. Post-event zooming is not possible. PTZ cameras miss areas of coverage while panning, while a wide-angle fixed view captures the entire area.

IP-based video systems are more effective than analog systems because of ease of use. With analog technology, systems have more pieces of equipment and are more complicated. Besides long lengths of cabling, low-resolution video monitors, and many cameras and lenses, they require DVRs to record images from each camera. School district staff would have to log onto each DVR locally, then access a specific camera to monitor activity. With digital IP video systems, separate DVRs are not required.

A Workable Solution
Authorized school staff can use any district computer that is programmed with system software to easily view and manage any camera on the system. This improves system uptime and access, enabling greater security for students and staff in both prevention and incident response situations. Datatel Wiring Products will provide equipment installation, training and ongoing technical support for three years. Datatel, of Riverside, Calif., is a certified installer that was awarded the contract following a competitive bid in July.

One thing to keep in mind is that “high megapixel resolution cameras used in IP systems require servers capable of handling multiple terabytes of data,” said E.B. DelaCobas of Datatel.

The system will use a total of 19 servers, with two having up to 6 TB of data storage capacity each, while the rest will have 2 TB each with additional backup storage of up to 10 TB.

In the long run, the robust and capable system specified will allow the Murrieta district to achieve their system performance goals, ensuring greater security and cost effectiveness.

This article originally appeared in the issue of .

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.