Nov 23, 2015

One of the most applicable use cases for video surveillance is in law enforcement. The ability to keep an eye on well-known crime hot spots and frequently visited public spaces can act as a deterrent for criminals.

It also can provide investigators with valuable information in the event that a crime is committed. In some cases, video surveillance has been an incidental aid in crime fighting efforts; for example, when a crime happens to be caught on a private business' security camera. However, law enforcement officials are increasingly deploying strategic surveillance solutions in an attempt to make cities and towns safer for residents. 

Cincinnati steps up city surveillance

With a population of nearly 300,000, Cincinnati is one of the biggest cities in the United States. This is especially true given that several professional sports teams including the NFL's Bengals and MLB's Reds draw in hundreds of thousands of people from neighboring cities and towns. Other big attractions include the University of Cincinnati and larger holiday events that take place several times a year such as the Labor Day Fireworks show along the Ohio River, which has an estimated annual attendance of 500,000 people. 

Given the city's size and the regularity with which it hosts large events, Cincinnati was therefore a perfect candidate for a reliable video surveillance solution. In 2008, the city began exploring new ways to enhance public safety. The Cincinnati Police Department wanted to be able to create a strong, reliable surveillance network that could stream a real-time video feed into a single viewing hub. 

Cincinnati PD officials subsequently began to explore their options and eventually decided on Firetide's network technology to install four cameras next to a Target store. The pilot deployment proved to be successful. Law enforcement officials therefore began to research methods to connect more surveillance cameras to the city's fiber network.

An ongoing endeavor

Security cameras were deployed in abundance along the Ohio River, where several of the city's largest congregation areas including Great American Ball Park and Paul Brown Stadium are located. The University of Cincinnati was also targeted as an ideal location for improving surveillance. Firetide's multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) solution made it possible to connect newer surveillance cameras with legacy systems that had been previously installed.

In addition to adding an important layer of security in these key public gathering spaces, bolstering video surveillance has also been useful for emergency response teams. For example, video surveillance may help first responders plan their route after a large snow storm wreaks havoc. 

By summer 2015, Cincinnati PD was receiving and viewing real-time feeds from approximately 300 security cameras placed throughout the city, with many of them supplying HD streams. Police officials have had nothing but praise for the video surveillance network, and have integrated the cameras into crime fighting efforts as well as the overall improvement of public safety. The police department has since upgraded its network technology to the Firetide 7000 series nodes.   

Cincinnati's success story is only in its first chapter. Much of the early funding for the video surveillance deployment came from Target's Safe Cities program and various grants. However, as the police department continues to see the benefits to public safety, so too do lawmakers, and in the near future funding for the effort may come directly from the city. This would not only benefit the hundreds of thousands of residents who call Cincinnati home, but also the millions of visitors who pour in and out of the city every year. 

Read the full case study to learn more about how Cincinnati has benefited from video surveillance, and how this ongoing endeavor will continue to improve crime fighting efforts.