Footage from around 40 cameras in and around downtown Pheonix was fed into the system, giving police the ability to watch over 200,000 spectators, citizens and dignitaries in town for the football game.
Law enforcers could also remotely monitor and track their activities across town thanks to a wireless mesh network supplied by Firetide and rapidly deployable cameras from local integrator IP Vision.
“Our video surveillance network has proven effective in our major investigations and now has become a quick security solution for major events,” said detective Chris Jensen, the technical surveillance systems administrator at Phoenix Police Department.
The department first implemented OnSSI’s IP video management solution in 2006 to support its covert operations during a serial crime spree, but has since used it for numerous events and investigations.
“Extreme flexibility”
“The distributed architecture of the OnSSI IP video management solution enhanced the Phoenix Police Department’s rapid deployment systems and ability to cover all of the events surrounding the Super Bowl,” said Ben Green, vice president of business development at IPVision.
“This provided extreme flexibility as it allowed the OnSSI solution to seamlessly connect to the various systems already deployed, enabling centralised control and monitoring of all operations.”
OnSSI’s solution apparently gave police instant access to video from any camera, which can then be routed or automatically pushed, on event, to any wall monitor or networked PC. The system is said to eliminate the need for a matrix switcher, and high-resolution IP cameras with digital PTZ controls can be used for both live and recorded images.
A touch-screen interface has been built-in to make dynamic maps fast and easy to navigate around, which OnSSI said allows efficient monitoring with just one operator at each location. This, it is claimed, helps reduce both reliance on manpower and operational costs.
The system incorporates video content analytics to detect problems like motion in restricted areas, loitering and overcrowding. It can also be integrated with access control and physical security systems – allowing alarms and programmed events to be managed together.
To find out more, visit the OnSSI website.