Page 50 - Security Today, September/October 2021

GREATER SITUATIONAL AWARENESS
Police departments nationwide are under intense pressure to capture and maintain precise documentation of incidents and events. This is as much a security and safety issue as it is protection against false claims and lawsuits for cities and municipalities.
With the use of new digital technologies, police departments can maintain the integrity of evidence that benefits both citizens and law officers. Gaining situational awareness is critical in helping officers in the field make informed decisions when responding to calls. For example, the adoption of body-worn cameras by police departments is essential for both evidence documentation and risk mitigation.
Body-worn cameras record both video and audio to internal storage drives as well as removable memory cards. The footage can be quickly uploaded and stored on-premises or in the cloud. This allows law enforcement officials to quickly collect and re- lease body-cam footage to the public in high-profile incidents.
IMPROVING TRAFFIC FLOW AND SAFETY
The same video surveillance networks used by police for public safety or city administrators to monitor city services are also ideal traffic-management applications. This is proving to be highly effective in cities around the world for improving traffic flow while also addressing the safety concerns of bicyclists, pedestrians and commuters using public transportation. For example, traffic cameras can detect wrong-way drivers, triggering
roadside alerts such as flashing signs, and alert authorities on the ground to intervene before accidents occur.
KEEPING SCHOOLS AND CAMPUSES SAFE
With school violence all too common in municipalities throughout the United States, securing schools, colleges and universities is paramount. This requires integrated physical security systems that allow security staff to know the status of a given school or campus at all times. The ability to prevent assailants or predators from gaining access to schools and campuses is essential for the safety of students, teachers and staff.
Access-control software plays a vital role in these situations; capabilities such as door scheduling, user management, reporting and lock-down functionality help secure academic institutions from attacks. Intelligent video systems can also automatically identify known criminals and offenders and issue alerts when spe- cific scenarios occur in real time, such as when someone enters an area that is off-limits or when a gun or knife is detected.
Empowering cities and municipalities with intelligent integrated systems makes them smarter, safer and more livable.
Adam Lowenstein is the director of product management at Panasonic i-PRO Sensing Solutions Corp. of America.
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 | SECURITY TODAY 7/9/21 11:05 AM
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SMART CITIES