Sturgis Rally’s Full Throttle Saloon Deploys IQinVision Cameras
IQinVision recently announced that Michael Ballard’s Full Throttle Saloon, the epicenter of the world-famous Sturgis Motorcycle Rally, has deployed a mix of IQeye cameras for security and surveillance at this high-volume cash operation.
The integrator for the unique installation is Spearfish, S.D.-based Clearwater Security and Investigations.
With more than 30,000 visitors daily, the Full Throttle Saloon is the place to be during the Sturgis Rally in South Dakota each year. This year’s 70th Sturgis Rally will be August 9-15, and the Full Throttle’s 300 employees, including 100 plus bartenders, can focus on keeping their thousands of customers happy while Clearwater and IQinVision take care of minding the cash and recording any patrons that might want to celebrate a bit too much.
Jeff Haase, owner of Clearwater Security and Investigations, and his team of security experts have an arsenal of tools deployed at the Full Throttle that are more powerful than some of the casinos in Las Vegas:
“Using cutting-edge surveillance cameras from IQinVision has made our daunting task much easier,” Haase said. “Imagine trying to keep an eye on 30,000 visitors and 100 bartenders. You've got to follow the cash, each transaction, and make sure that Ballard's money stays where it’s supposed to stay.”
Ten IQeyes -- six Mini Domes, three Alliance domes, and a single Sentinel -- are all that is needed to do the job of protecting people, cash, and all other assets during the week-long celebration and for the rest of the year. Managing high-performance HD megapixel network cameras can be a challenge without the right software, so Haasb chose Milestone Open Platform IP management software to ensure he gets the best from the IQeye cameras.
Haase’s been impressed with the system’s functionality.
“With IQinVision's Alliance Series megapixel cameras, we're able to digitally pan, tilt, and zoom in so close that we can literally count each bill that is placed in the cash register,” he said.
In addition to closely monitoring the saloon’s high-volume cash transaction areas, this year Haase has added cameras to other sensitive areas like the Full Throttle Saloon Bank, which allows his team to monitor the cash as it makes its way through thousands of bar patrons, to the teller, and into the vault.
“The new cameras we've deployed this year in the bank will allow us to count each bill, track what the teller is entering into the bank's computer system, and observe the teller place each cash register's net deposit in the vault,” Haase explained.
The Full Throttle Saloon stores over 10 Terabytes of video, and it can be recalled as necessary for law enforcement, internal documentation, and/or insurance purposes.
Full Throttle’s owner has been pleased with the increased level of protection his system provides,
“Four out of five businesses go out of business because of theft, and bars are close to the top of the list. This system is well worth the investment -- it has paid for itself each year,” said Michael Ballard.
Managing the massive crowds at the Full Throttle Saloon is also an important security system objective.
“With our IQeye cameras, we're able to detect problems a lot of times before they even start,” said Haase. “This critical addition to standard bar security enables ground security staff to respond faster and make necessary interventions before problems erupt, leading to a safer, more enjoyable, rally experience for all.”