June 9, 2008
Sheriff’s deputies at Century Station, part of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, are now using “digital eyes” to protect citizens on the streets of Lynwood, Calif. and the surrounding unincorporated areas.
As part of its Advanced Surveillance and Protection Plan (ASAP), the department has deployed a wireless video surveillance network enabled by Firetide. The deputies have already made several arrests as a direct result of this surveillance, including one when deputies spotted a drug deal in progress in the park next to a neighborhood school.
“Wireless video surveillance is changing the way we serve and protect the community,” said Capt. James Hellmold of Los Angeles County Century Sheriff's Station. “It is a very effective force multiplier and officer safety tool. The quality of video is truly evidence-grade, which will serve us well not only to deter crime, but to help our district attorneys prosecute crime.”
The 13-square-mile area served by Century Station -- which is home to over 300,000 residents -- has twice the national average of violent crime. Gang violence, prostitution and drug dealing are frequently discussed at the community’s town hall meetings, and the citizenry is vocal in its support of the department’s taking whatever actions are necessary to make the streets safer.
“Our residents deserve the best law enforcement officers and the most advanced tools to fight crime and strengthen public safety,” said Sheriff Leroy Baca of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. “The Century ASAP program seeks to augment the dramatic crime reduction already made possible through the dedication and hard work of the men and women of Century Sheriff’s Station and the Gang Violence Task Force.”
Video cameras have been deployed at key intersections, near schools, and near two hospitals. The broadcast-quality (30 fps) video is transported in real-time over the Firetide wireless mesh network directly to the integrated video and 9-1-1 dispatch command center, where watch deputies guide teams on the ground as they respond to calls for service. Fifteen deputies have already been trained in the use of the new video surveillance system, which allows them to control the cameras and pan, tilt and zoom into images, track suspects and assess situations as reports of crimes in progress come in.
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