Cisco wireless video surveillance system strengthens security in San Luis Potosí

The city of San Luis Potosí has installed a security system based on Cisco's wireless mesh platform, that supports video surveillance cameras, allowing potosine police to combat crime in real time and more effectively and accurately.

Located in the north-central region of Mexico, the city of San Luis Potosí has some 700.000 Inhabitants. With a territorial extension of some 1.443 km2, on the outskirts has begun to grow a modern industrial city, partly thanks to its location in the center of the "triangle" formed by the three largest cities in the country: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey. However, like many other medium-sized cities in Mexico, San Luis Potosí recognized the possibility of being affected by criminality from major cities and decided to look for alternatives to deter potential criminals and better protect citizens and visitors.

There is no single answer to the crime and its approach is simple. The city's strategy consists of some initiatives, ranging from providing better training and more appropriate equipment to the police force to combating corruption. However, he also acknowledged that it would be impossible for police officers to be physically present on all streets, every minute of the day, so he sought a more practical solution. In that context, has invested in an advanced video surveillance solution, that integrates a video analysis system and other applications, running on a wireless network.

Ricardo Galindo Ceballos, director of the IT Department of the Directorate of Public Safety of San Luis Potosí, has pointed out: "Video surveillance is a multiplier force for the municipal public safety strategy, because it improves the efficiency and effectiveness of officers on the ground. It allows you to make an advance assessment of the situation and make more informed decisions by sending the forces to the incident site".

The solution

After evaluating various surveillance options, the city has selected a solution composed of a wireless mesh network of Cisco and a Cisco partner's Praetorian Intelligent Surveillance system, L3 Communications.
As has been decided to adopt a wireless network, the facility has caused minimal alterations in the city's infrastructure. It should be noted that the solution is designed to provide a flexible platform, solid and safe, optimized for exchanging information and video in real time, both now and in the future.

The network consists of two layers. The backbone works at 4.9 Ghz, the frequency assigned to public safety communications to avoid interference with other systems. The access layer, that works at a frequency of 2.4 Ghz, connects to wireless cameras and other devices. In Mexico, law enforcement is divided into federal authorities, state and municipal, and the network doesn't just connect with every police station in the city, but also with the State Command and Control Center to ensure effective and fast sharing of information.

The Praetorian system is designed to provide superior operational readiness, intelligent video and detection systems that provide greater knowledge and control of the situation, common operating environments and computerized oversight during the 24 Hours. Praetorian is a scalable open architecture system that integrates with numerous surveillance technologies, as well as standard commercial PC hardware and software.

Cisco Video Surveillance Manager is the centerpiece of the solution, as it manages video streams from cameras to short- and long-term network storage file systems, or directly in the Command Center for real-time operators to view.

Unlike conventional systems, overwhelming operators with countless sensor and camera inputs in large monitor centers, Praetorian allows users to have a complete picture, understand real-time surveillance information and act preventively to stop or control emerging threats. For example, the San Luis Potosí system contains a map of the city and incorporates a situational awareness feature that allows operators to see a subject's progress, either a person or a vehicle block by block. Views of the different cameras can come together to give the operator a view of the entire street as the vehicle moves. Thanks to the integration of a third-party vehicle plate recognition application, the operator can enlarge the image and check the board in the central automotive database.

Today, there are some 180 installed cameras. However, cameras to help effectively deter crime not only need to be installed in key locations, but should also be in the eyes of the public and potential offenders. The public has so enthusiastically supported the solution to the point that some families have made available to the authorities the facades of their homes or shops for the cameras to be installed.

The solution has been implemented in small phases to ensure that problems are understood and resolved as quickly as possible. The training of the three Command Center operators and the team supervisor in the full-featured environment was of paramount importance so that everyone could appreciate the benefits of the system immediately. In the first phase they were installed 43 Cameras; in the second phase, 72; and in the third phase, Other 50. They were also installed 20 additional LPR cameras.

The results

The video surveillance solution has significantly increased the city's ability to detect incidents and respond quickly. In general, video surveillance systems from previous generations could only be used for forensic tasks, that required reviewing stored images to see if data could be found about a crime that had already been committed. Frequently, because of the low quality of the images the results were unacceptable or inconclusive.

Instead, the new solution not only provides much more useful forensic data, but also the combination of top quality images, analysis systems and how the information is presented allows operators to send resources to the fact site. In some cases, they can even anticipate crime before it happens. For example, the system can automatically recognize and send an alert when looking at double-row parked vehicles. Criminals often have another vehicle to escape without delay.

"Video surveillance solutions minimize disruption caused by traffic demonstrations or accidents, vehicle or pedestrian thefts and gang actions. They also allow a greater number of criminals to be captured in fraganti", ceballos explained. "On the other hand, optimize police resources. A visual check can be performed without endangering an officer and, therefore, operations can be carried out under safer conditions. These solutions help determine the number and type of support staff needed at the site of the, in addition to the necessary equipment".

The solution has helped save lives; for example at an opportunity when a Command Center operator was able to help send emergency services to the location of a young woman seriously injured in a traffic accident. The operator told the emergency services team the best path, based on what was happening on the streets, and provided you with adequate information about the accident and what you might find on site. Wireless devices, like personal digital assistants (Pda), they can also connect directly to the network, its applications and the Command Center.

The solution allows the city to devise innovative strategies to better protect citizens. He is currently conducting a pilot test of the concept of "geodefensa". Sets of LPR and fixed cameras were installed, with night vision capability, at the city's top five entrances and exits. The concept, developed in cooperation with the federal police, is that vehicles can be controlled and, if necessary, can be tracked with the cameras under the coordination of the Command Center. Five patrol boats with mobile network access were also equipped with LPR and GPS systems (global satellite location) to optimize responsiveness.

The flexibility offered by the wireless mesh network is another important advantage. Fixed chamber systems are known to often divert criminal acts to other areas outside the area under surveillance. However, by being able to uninstall the cameras and install them easily elsewhere, you manage to disorient criminals. It is also possible to allocate resources more appropriately; For example, it is possible to provide coverage during a six-week arts festival held in the city and attracts participants and visitors from all over the country.

While each of the applications running on the network offers its own advantages, the real power of the solution is given by its ability to integrate the various elements in order to create a holistic environment with complete functions that allows to combat crime and strengthen the security of each citizen and visitor. Gather the different pieces of the puzzle for a clearer and broader picture, so that resources can be allocated more accurately, and emergency services and police can count on the information they need to accomplish their mission, where and when they need it.

Ricardo Galindo Ceballos has indicated: "Technology turns out to be an instrument for citizens to feel that more attention is paid to their claims and this improves their perception of security. The video surveillance system performs three functions: the first is to deter criminal acts; the second, increase people's safety and the third, provide information when a crime is committed in order to identify those responsible".

Steps to follow

San Luis Potosí is expanding the coverage of video surveillance infrastructure with more cameras located in public areas. It is also introducing "emergency buttons" in areas very crowded by citizens and tourists. Affected people can press a button, day or night, and talk directly to a Command Center officer, who can respond immediately to the situation.

Sharing biometric data, like fingerprints, is another initiative under development with federal authorities. The idea is to be able to capture and share information among all the police stations in the city by the wireless mesh network and possibly at the national level.

Solutions
Routing and switching
• Cisco Catalyst Series Switches 3750
• Cisco Catalyst Series Switches 2960
Network management
• Cisco Wireless Control System
• Cisco Wireless Control System
• Cisco Physical Security Media Servers
• Cisco video surveillance storage system
Wireless technology
• Cisco 4404 Wireless LAN Controller
• Cisco Aironet 1522, dual-band mesh access points
• Cisco Aironet antennas and accessories

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