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.

  • By Jessica Davis
  • Dec 14, 2018

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

  • Facing Facts for Facilities

    Despite the proliferation of constantly evolving security solutions, there remains a troubling trend among many facility operators who often neglect the most important security assets within their organization. Keys and shared devices like radios, laptops and tablets are crucial to successful operations, yet many operators are managing them haphazardly through outdated storage systems like pegboards and notebooks. Read Now

  • Report Reveals Security Training Reduces Global Phishing Click Rates by 86%

    KnowBe4, the cybersecurity platform that comprehensively addresses human risk management, today launched its “Phishing by Industry Benchmarking Report 2025” which measures an organization’s Phish-prone Percentage (PPP) — the percentage of employees likely to fall for social engineering or phishing attacks, indicating the organization’s overall susceptibility to phishing threats. This year’s report found a global average baseline PPP of 33.1%, meaning a third of employees interact with phishing simulations before taking part in best-practice security awareness training (SAT).COVER 2025-PIB-NA-Report_EN-US Read Now

  • TSA Begins REAL ID Full Enforcement Today

    Today, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced the imminent implementation of its REAL ID enforcement measures at TSA checkpoints nationwide. Read Now

  • Body-Worn Cameras on the Rise

    On the evening of Oct. 29, 2024, the owner of 300 Guard based in Houston, was shot while on duty at a convenience store. He returned fire. He was wearing a plated vest and thankfully recovered in the hospital. Read Now

  • Brazil Port Enhances Surveillance and Supports Wildlife Conservation with Sustainable Technology

    Ferroport, which operates the iron ore terminal at the Port of Açu in São João da Barra, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, has deployed state-of-the-art video surveillance cameras from Axis Communications to enhance nighttime security and visibility, while decreasing environmental impact and prioritizing sustainability. With cutting-edge technology, the port now has precise surveillance cameras that capture high-quality nighttime images, while reducing the amount of artificial lighting that negatively impacts the surrounding ecosystem. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • 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.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities