Rockford, IL
Location: USA
Abstract:
Initially responding to crime levels in public housing quarters, the Rockford Housing Authority teamed with the Rockford Police Department to find a wireless and mobile surveillance solution. With funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the city contracted Firetide to roll out the surveillance network, which consists of sixteen nodes containing a camera, battery, flashing blue light, and Wi-Fi antenna. The nodes communicate with separate relay nodes and with receiver units in police cruisers. In addition to the outdoor nodes, several units were placed inside the housing structures and in elevators. The system was easily installed in three months and is completely self-contained. No reconfiguration of the existing network was required. While capturing useful footage, the surveillance nodes also serve as a visual deterrant to crime, reducing the instances of drive-by drug deals by far more than expected. In addition, residents' confidence in the safety of the premises and in reporting crimes has increased. The public safety network has been an inexpensive boon to the response ability of the police force as well as to the image of public housing generally. As funds permit, the Rockford Housing Authority plans to extend the network to offer free or inexpensive Wi-Fi access to residents, thereby contributing to digital inclusion.
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Website: http://www.firetide.com/index.cfm?section=solutions503&siteid=1
Practitioner Name: Ksenia Coffman
Practitioner Tel: 408-399-7771
Practitioner E-mail: kcoffman@firetide.com
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Vendor Name 1: FIRE
Vendor Title 1: FireTide
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