ISS and MTS deploy system at Watchung Police Department
Watchung, NJ, 1 May 2007 – The following is an abridged article originally written by Watchung Police Department Chief John Frosoni for the periodical Law Enforcement, Summer 2006. The Watchung Police Department uses ISS technology integrated by MTS Intelligent Surveillance Solutions throughout the township.
After the attacks on September 11, 2001, the focus began to shift as police agencies across the country were confronted with the issues of Homeland Security. Police administrators began to look for ways to work smarter, utilizing advances in technology to augment limited budgets and staffing. We are now in an era of revolutionary change with the technological advances available to law enforcement. These innovations allow us to operate more efficiently and effectively.
In recent years the growth in technology has been unprecedented. In Watchung, we have implemented a digital video system that reuses most of our existing video infrastructure, as well as our existing computer network, to provide an affordable system with state-of-the art technology. By combining existing systems with cutting edge software, the Watchung Police Department hopes to enhance today's technology to create a cost effective yet dramatic enhancement of our basic video systems and to provide better and more professional police service.
Some current features that are now in use in both the public and private sectors that have been integrated into our system include:
License Plate Recognition: Using character recognition technology this software can essentially read a license plate and search a database of stolen or wanted vehicles, instantly alerting the patrol or desk officer when a match is found.
Facial Capture / Facial Recognition: Databases can be maintained for entry logs, as well as for either "good guy" or "bad guy" files. Retailers could immediately recognize previous shoplifting offenders and schools could immediately recognize parents and staff. We have deployed this at our courtroom entrance and processing room, "watching" for people with known open warrants.
Object Left Behind: The detection of abandoned packages in critical infrastructures where bomb threats are possible.
Crowd Gathering / Loitering Detection: Useful for large public venues or the detection of and prosecution of loitering for drug offenses or prostitution.
Rioting / Fighting / Running Detection: These applications can detect movement consistent with physical altercations and can be particularly useful in school environments allowing the ability to "look back" and see how incidents start.
Motion Alarm: Real time video of an unauthorized entry or trespassing with an alarm sent to the main desk or a patrol car.
Mobile Video Options: This replaces the VHS system in the patrol car with a digital video system, utilizing the hard drive of the Mobile Data Terminal laptop that is currently deployed in the patrol car as the recorder.
Audio and Video Monitoring and Recording: Interview rooms, processing and cellblock are monitored.
The Watchung Police Department has launched a pilot program with select community stakeholders in order to incorporate some of the aforementioned features in an integrated video network. This program utilizes a cutting edge shared open system application design or "open architecture" without hardware restrictions through the services of MTS Consulting Services and with software developed by Intelligent Security Systems.
A key concept of this pilot program is the implementation of an advanced and versatile surveillance system. By adopting open system standards, the integration of disparate video systems and networks was made possible. By incorporating true Internet along with security features and selectively limiting the amount of data transfer, or "bandwidth management," we have been able to use the Internet to interconnect the remote areas of the surveillance system back to Police Headquarters.
The system has "tapped" into the cameras recently installed at Watchung Square Mall. New cameras were also installed at Borough Hall and tied into the system. Other borough offices with Internet access will also be added to the system in the future. Negotiations are ongoing with the Board of Education to integrate with, and upgrade their current video infrastructure.
Cost has always been the limiting factor when attempting to acquire new tools and technology for our police department. With the introduction of the digital video software with an "open architecture," existing systems of different manufacture and different formats at various and remote locations have been brought together in one new and enhanced surveillance and alarm system. This system has the ability to grow and a price tag that is not a budget buster. As we continue to test and add to this system we believe we are creating a versatile, feature-rich digital video system with both mobile and static components at a fraction of the cost of similar proprietary systems
About Intelligent Security Systems (ISS) International
ISS International, headquartered in Woodbridge, NJ, with offices in North America and Europe, is a leader in the video security technology, and provides a comprehensive line of digital security and surveillance video solutions. With operations in 51 countries, ISS provides solutions for video security and surveillance systems integrating a variety of distributed ISS and third party modules. Key components of ISS technology include video forensics and smart video subsystems, an enterprise framework with network capability, and an extensible and scalable architecture, with virtually unlimited customization and scripting capabilities. These components define a philosophy of proactive security, one which we call “on demand security”, and allows for centralized command and control of an entire enterprise security network.
Smart video subsystems include Face Capture & Recognition, Traffic Monitoring, Transit & Cargo Container Recognition, License Plate Recognition, and Object Tracking, as well as dedicated solutions for POS (shrinkage detection) and ATM systems.
ISS has successfully deployed over 25,000 systems in command of over 150,000 cameras worldwide. ISS vertical markets include Smart Facilities, Transportation (airports, railways and highways), Urban Surveillance, Retail, Banking & Finance, Critical Infrastructure, and Refineries & Energy Facilities, including Nuclear Power Stations.
The development team has over 20 years history, originating at Bauman Moscow State Technical University, Russia's leading scientific institution and one of the oldest and most prestigious European educational institutions. For more information about ISS International, please visit www.isscctv.com.
About MTS Intelligent Surveillance Systems
The principal of MTS-ISS is Mr. Robert Merchant, formerly of IBM. For more information regarding MTS-ISS, please visit www.mts-iss.com
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