IP Video Rollout Helps Improve Security For Texas Police Department

  • Apr 08, 2009

The Grand Prairie Police Department in Texas has transformed the way it uses CCTV after installing a complete integrated IP video solution from IndigoVision.

Replacing an ageing and unreliable VCR/analog system, which was used primarily for video archive, the new IndigoVision system is being used as an active tool to help manage the facility. As with most law enforcement facilities Grand Prairie PD has a complex security environment, mixing all the normal police operations, with a short-term detection facility and areas that require public access. A reliable CCTV system, delivering the very highest quality video images, is therefore an essential tool for the Police Department.

The 40 camera system was installed by IndigoVision’s local approved partner, Metroplex Control Systems. Much of the original analog CCTV equipment was reused, including cameras and the video matrix. This allowed the original control room configuration to remain largely unchanged. In addition CCTV workstations running IndigoVision’s ‘Control Center’ software were installed around the facility to allow users such as the Jail Commander, Police Chief and Internal Investigation to remotely monitor live and recorded video. In the event of an incident this allows the Jail Commander to oversee the emergency response without the need to be in the cell blocks.

“Moving to the IndigoVision system gives me the freedom to manage my facility in a whole new way,” said Sgt. Blaine Smith, Grand Prairie PD Jail Commander. “Its extensive features give us tools we never imagined were available and its forensic level video is phenomenal.”

Video from all the cameras is continuously recorded for 30 days using four 1 TB standalone NVRs. Audio from 5 cameras is also stored alongside the video. Audio and video are fully synchronized and guaranteed not to drop frames, even at maximum frame rate -- an important benefit for law enforcement as unsynchronized video and audio is not admissible as evidence in court. Evidential quality video can be exported from multiple cameras for use in court or as is the case with the Department, specific incidents which they export onto CD for archive.

“The system has already proved useful in resolving issues with the bond desk clerk and disgruntled citizens over bond related payments and services,” Smith said. “The system is also being used to effectively document disagreements between inmates.”

Grand Prairie PD’s original CCTV was based on outdated analog/VCR equipment that delivered poor quality, low framerate video that couldn’t be remotely monitored. IndigoVision’s solution provides the Department with a truly distributed system where DVD-quality video can be viewed on any ‘Control Center’ workstation at any point on the network.

Featured

  • 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

  • AI Used as Part of Sophisticated Espionage Campaign

    A cybersecurity inflection point has been reached in which AI models has become genuinely useful in cybersecurity operation. But to no surprise, they can used for both good works and ill will. Systemic evaluations show cyber capabilities double in six months, and they have been tracking real-world cyberattacks showing how malicious actors were using AI capabilities. These capabilities were predicted and are expected to evolve, but what stood out for researchers was how quickly they have done so, at scale. Read Now

Most   Popular

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.

  • Luma x20

    Luma x20

    Snap One has announced its popular Luma x20 family of surveillance products now offers even greater security and privacy for home and business owners across the globe by giving them full control over integrators’ system access to view live and recorded video. According to Snap One Product Manager Derek Webb, the new “customer handoff” feature provides enhanced user control after initial installation, allowing the owners to have total privacy while also making it easy to reinstate integrator access when maintenance or assistance is required. This new feature is now available to all Luma x20 users globally. “The Luma x20 family of surveillance solutions provides excellent image and audio capture, and with the new customer handoff feature, it now offers absolute privacy for camera feeds and recordings,” Webb said. “With notifications and integrator access controlled through the powerful OvrC remote system management platform, it’s easy for integrators to give their clients full control of their footage and then to get temporary access from the client for any troubleshooting needs.”

  • 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.