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Integrated solutions key to safe cities

Surveillance cameras have become an integral component of any comprehensive security solution and are particularly applicable in city and central business district (CBD) scenarios where crime tends to be a more common occurrence. However, simply having cameras in place is not sufficient to either deter crime or catch the perpetrators after the fact.

Laurence Smith, executive at Graphic Image Technologies.

Cameras need to be monitored, which requires physical intervention. This in turn requires a properly integrated control room with up to date technology to enable control room operators to take appropriate action in the event of an incident. However, analytics solutions can provide assistance to aid the human component, ensuring that incidents are identified quickly for swift remedial action. Effective city and CBD surveillance requires the right mix of technology, people and processes to be effective, and while cameras are an essential component of this, they are by no means the only piece of the puzzle.

The control room is the heart of effective city surveillance. It needs to form a central hub for all of the cameras to connect to and be monitored from. As such, it needs to be properly integrated, not only with cameras, but also with all other security solutions such as perimeter detection, armed response and more. In addition, technology within the control room must be up to date and easy to use so that control room operators can access the features they need to provide effective security.

The cameras themselves, while not sufficient in isolation, are also an extremely important part of the solution. Without effective camera coverage, visibility around cities is limited and ineffective. Camera networks first and foremost need to be scalable, as additional cameras may need to be added in order to provide more comprehensive coverage. If solutions are not scalable, this would require the entire network to be overhauled every time more cameras are added. Scalable solutions also enable cities to start small in the most pressing areas and then expand as and when budget becomes available and return on investment is realised.

Another important factor is the camera quality. If images produced by surveillance are poor quality and grainy or do not provide enough detail for operators so see what is happening in some detail, they will not be useful in detecting and preventing crime. While 4K or ultra high definition cameras provide the highest level of detail, these may not be needed in all areas, and legacy investment into existing cameras may be a problem. The control room therefore must be able to integrate multiple camera types, including HD, 4K and even thermal imaging cameras. Solutions should also support the migration to 4K as this will become the camera standard in the future.

In addition, cameras need to combine the ability to map them back to physical locations using GPS technology. This enables operators to determine the exact location of any specific camera to pinpoint where events showing up in the camera feed are taking place, allowing for the right personnel to be sent to the scene without delay.

In order to further add value and enhance security solutions, both cameras and control rooms need to be able to also integrate with third-party systems such as number plate recognition, as well as hot lists of vehicles that have been reported stolen or are known to be involved in criminal activities, for instance. In order to achieve this, some level of analytics is required either on the physical camera itself or on the Digital Video Recorder (DVR) in the control room.

Smart analytics can also be used to create automated alerts for suspicious behaviour, including people loitering or frequently showing up in high-risk areas. With analytics capabilities cameras can even be used to enforce no-go zones or one-way streets as they can be programmed to deliver alerts when any non-compliant behaviours are detected. Smart analytics can also learn from prior events, thereby minimising the number of false alarms over time so that operators are more efficient, only dealing with alerts that indicate real issues. However, in order for these functions to be effective, it is also essential to have the right escalation procedures in place to ensure operators respond timeously to alerts.

Effective city and CBD surveillance relies on the interaction and integration of a number of different technologies and smart solutions. Cameras still form the crux of such systems, as they create the visibility needed into areas in order to provide effective policing and other safety and security features. However, cameras alone are not enough. They need to be linked to a properly integrated control room, which features up to date technology as well as intelligent analytical solutions that allow for customised alerts to be sent out. With these and the right escalation procedures in place, appropriate action can be taken to act on safety issues as they occur, as well as provide evidence after the fact.

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