Phoenix Police Department Keeps the City Safe with Firetide Wireless Mesh for Video Surveillance
Rapid Deployment and Bandwidth for High-Resolution Image Streaming Offers a Solid Solution for Criminal Investigative Cases
LAS VEGAS, March 28 // -- ISC West 2007 -- Firetide Inc., a developer of wireless mesh technology, announced today that the Phoenix Police Department has deployed the company's wireless mesh infrastructure for crime- fighting video surveillance. Phoenix commissioned the surveillance system to support its criminal investigation units and to maximize intelligence without having to add additional man hours. The city tapped Firetide's 4.9 GHz public safety mesh for confidential and time-critical police investigations, taking advantage of the wireless technology's rapid deployment, flexibility and high bandwidth that supported multiple real-time video feeds simultaneously.
The Phoenix PD has pioneered use of wireless video surveillance for time- critical investigative deployments where other solutions were too inflexible or expensive to consider. "We had to deliver the surveillance system under incredible time pressure in the summer of 2006," explained Chris Jensen, Detective with the city's Drug Enforcement Bureau. "It took us only 2 weeks from receiving the equipment to a fully operational network."
The groundwork for the initial deployment was first laid out in early 2006, when the detectives with the Drug Enforcement Bureau began researching video surveillance technologies to enhance investigative work of the Bureau. With help from Anixter Security Systems, a nation-wide distributor of security and surveillance solutions, the police department identified Firetide's wireless mesh technology as the key tool for creating a robust, secure video surveillance network.
"Phoenix Police have proven the use of wireless mesh technology for criminal investigations and have seen its potential to help in other areas of the city's homeland security and public safety plans," said Bo Larsson, CEO of Firetide. "Expanding wireless capabilities to include voice and mobility is the logical next step with Firetide's technology."
Operating the network at 4.9 GHz licensed band ensures that wrongdoers can not tap into the surveillance systems. The police officers monitor video stream from the headquarters and can control the cameras remotely, allowing police to move beyond a block radius of the surveyed area. The around-the- clock surveillance system also saves the department significant staffing resources and ensures patrol units in Phoenix are not redeployed elsewhere when big investigations occur.
"Results have been impressive, especially in the quality of video the Firetide network supports," said Jensen. "But it is not only about the bandwidth and image quality," continued Jensen. "We've increased coverage and saved on manpower: instead of 30 surveillance officers on the streets, only 2 are needed in a central monitoring station to cover the same geographical area."
The Phoenix PD deploys surveillance equipment when and where needed, and has had as many as 30 cameras and 45 wireless nodes running, covering multiple areas within the 515 square miles of Phoenix. Since the first deployment in the summer of 2006, Phoenix PD has used the wireless video surveillance to investigate three additional major crimes in the greater Phoenix area, along with complex conspiracy investigations. The police department uses custom- developed "camera hides" (enclosures that look like commonly seen items) engineered by systems integrator Avrio Group, who designed and installed the network.
Avrio Group worked side by side with the police staff to ensure timely deployments and high performance. "Wireless mesh technology was the only option for the police department, given the time pressure during the initial deployment," explains Mark Jules, President, Business Development, Avrio Group. "Since there is no cabling involved, the surveillance systems can be rapidly deployed in multiple areas, and then quickly moved for new investigation. We can also easily scale the network without affecting performance."
Investigative video surveillance is only the first step in using wireless mesh technology. Next for the Phoenix PD is to research the use of wireless surveillance for crime suppression in high-crime areas, and as an officer safety tool. The police department is currently evaluating a RD (Rapid Deployment) Pole Cam portable solution from Avrio Group. Based on Firetide mesh technology, RD Pole Cam combines a high resolution IP camera and wireless mesh node all packaged in a single compact NEMA rated enclosure. This will allow officers to view video and fill out reports from the laptops in their cars or on handhelds.
About Firetide Inc.
Firetide is the leading provider of mesh networks that enable concurrent video, voice, and data for municipal, public safety, and enterprise applications. Firetide HotPort mesh nodes and HotPoint access points provide a reliable wireless infrastructure and access solution for video surveillance, Internet access, public safety networks, and temporary networks wherever rapid deployment, mobility, and ease of installation are required. Headquartered in Los Gatos, California, Firetide is a privately held company with worldwide product distribution. For more information, visit http://www.firetide.com/.
About Anixter Inc.
Anixter International is the world's leading distributor of communication products, electrical and electronic wire & cable and a leading distributor of fasteners and other small parts ("C" Class inventory components) to Original Equipment Manufacturers. The company adds value to the distribution process by providing its customers access to 1) innovative inventory management programs, 2) more than 350,000 products and over $900 million in inventory, 3) 212 warehouses with more than 5.5 million square feet of space, and 4) locations in 239 cities in 46 countries. Founded in 1957 and headquartered near Chicago, Anixter trades on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AXE.
About Avrio Group
Avrio Group is a premier provider of IP-Surveillance solutions. The company's portfolio includes software-based digital video recording and playback, content analysis and video intelligence, wireless and mobile surveillance, systems integration, and complete turnkey surveillance solutions. Customers include state and local governments including airports, detention centers, and emergency management as well as commercial industry including distribution, medical facilities, and hotels.
NOTE: Firetide and Reliable Connectivity Anywhere are trademarks of Firetide Inc.
Source: Firetide, Inc.
CONTACT: Ksenia Coffman, Firetide, Inc., +1-408-317-8985, or kcoffman@firetide.com
Web site: http://www.firetide.com/
