Jun 23, 2015

One of the most attractive benefits of utilizing a wireless mesh network for surveillance purposes is its scalability. With this technology in place, cities and municipalities are able to grow their networks to suit their demands by adding cameras and nodes to increase the scope of their surveillance abilities.

In recent years, a rising number of cities and towns have adopted wireless mesh network solutions to underpin their surveillance systems. Another trend has also emerged: Those that have previously implemented the technology are now expanding their networks to address increased surveillance needs.

Texas law enforcement deploys phase two
The trend of cities leveraging the scalable features of their wireless mesh networks has taken place for several years now, as evidenced by a 2012 initiative in Mission, Texas, to deploy the second phase of their surveillance system.

According to RadioResource Media Group, police in Mission completed phase two of their wireless mesh network deployment in order to better watch for and address crimes in progress around the city. The system is supported by Firetide wireless mesh infrastructure solutions, and also utilizes Axis and Sony cameras to enable real-time monitoring for city police.

The wireless mesh network has considerably grown with this second phase, expanding from its original 6-node architecture to the current 33-node network. The initial deployment took place in 2009, and the second phase, completed in 2012, has proven considerably valuable for Mission police.

“Within the first week of operation, the newly expanded Firetide wireless video network has been a huge success and was instrumental in identifying and arresting criminals in three separate felony offenses,” said Marin Garza Jr., Mission’s chief of police. “The wireless mesh network gives us coverage and clear visual access to areas that don’t have continuous police presence. Additionally, it greatly improves police and emergency personnel response times to incidents occurring in these locations.”

Pennsylvania city expands traffic surveillance system
As this trend continues, one city in Pennsylvania announced this year the expansion of the surveillance system used to keep an eye on traffic. Hazleton will nearly triple the size of their wireless mesh network-supported surveillance solution, thanks to federal funding.

Police in Hazleton have found that the purpose of the surveillance network isn’t to eliminate crime, but to provide extra eyes in several areas across the city.

“It helped us a couple of different times so far in gathering information for different crimes,” said Hazleton Police Chief Frank DeAndrea. “I think it’s an excellent system for what we’re trying to do. The recording system we bought is very robust; very large to begin with and easily expandable.”

The majority of the expansion will take place in the area of Broad Street, with the potential to add as many as 40 cameras at a range of intersections in the downtown region. Officials noted that the surveillance network will not be utilized for traffic tickets, but will instead be a valuable resource when accidents or crime take place.

DeAndrea has also noticed the advantages of leveraging wireless mesh to support the city’s surveillance needs as opposed to other legacy technology.

“Normally, in older systems, every camera’s antenna must see City Hall,” DeAndrea explained. “The way my network works is it’s a mesh system. As long as it can see any other camera on the system – and if it can hit that camera’s antenna – it ping-pongs the signal back and forth. It maximizes your ability to place cameras in other places for much less money.”

This may not be the last network expansion for Hazleton, as city officials are already considering other additional camera locations.

To find out more, contact Firetide, a leader in wireless mesh solutions.