Technology Reducing Dallas Crime

Dallas is hosting the ASIS International 56th Annual Seminar and Exhibits. Various parts of the ASIS host city are under wireless surveillance system. Real-time video from many areas throughout Dallas are supplied to the Dallas Police Department (DPD). Public safety can be improved along with enhancing emergency preparedness with security technologies. Technologies from OnSSI, Firetide and BearCom are being used for this reason.

In a press release, Lt. Anthony Crawford of DPD said, “The wireless video surveillance system is an integral part of the City’s three pronged approach to public safety, which also includes beat officers and the citizens that live and work in the area. The wireless video system has contributed significantly to crime decreases in the target areas.”

According to Crawford, from Jan. 1, 2007, to Sept. 28, 2010, the crime rate is down 37 percent in uptown Dallas. It has reduced by 35 percent in downtown and by 59 percent in Jubilee Park. Crawford believes the presence of the camera system has played an important part in crime reduction.

Video surveillance software for the DPD’s system has been supplied by OnSSI. The easy to use Ocularis physical security information management platform provides advanced instant investigation tools. These include the time/motion slicer engine and push video alerting.

The wireless mesh networks for IP video surveillance in Dallas are provided by Firetide (News - Alert). High-quality video traffic from the IP cameras is transmitted through these networks. Apart from being cost-effective, high system reliability is ensured as the mesh creates alternate wireless links.

The Dallas system has been designed and implemented by BearCom. The first cameras were installed by BearCom in early 2007. BearCom has also designed and provided the Dallas Police Mobile Command Center. As long as the vehicle is within range of the wireless mesh network, the center can tie into the system.

The monitoring personnel can watch the cameras in real-time Crime reports can also be cross-checked against video archives by the monitoring personnel. Through June this year, the cameras have been used to monitor 112 real-time events. A total of 17,283 calls and 5,016 arrests in surveillance areas have resulted since the cameras have been installed.