Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Uses Digital Surveillance As Part Of Crime Fighting Plan

From Security Products Online

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.

Number Of Wireless Security Alarm Systems Expected To Increase

From Security Products Online

June 6, 2008

Traditionally, security alarm systems used fixed telephone lines to pass information from the security alarm panel to a central monitoring facility. Today, however, that communication is increasingly being delegated to a digital cellular link. ABI Research forecasts that the 2007 number of just fewer than 2.5 million wireless security alarm connections will increase to more than 7.5 million in 2013.

What is driving this transition? According to senior analyst Sam Lucero, a number of factors have combined to create this new market trend.

“In North America, formerly analog wireless security alarms are now shifting to digital cellular services as a result of the AMPS ‘sunset’ in February 2008,” Lucero said. “More importantly, the continuing decline of landline voice services and the increasing utilization of second phone lines for DSL broadband services have made cellular connectivity more attractive, even necessary, for security alarm connectivity.”

Other factors promoting cellular security backhaul include the general trend for cost-optimized alarm systems to rely on wireless connectivity exclusively, particularly in Europe. In addition, wireless operators and broadband service providers are increasingly entering the security alarm service industry and are utilizing wireless either as a primary connection or back-up connection to a primary broadband connection. Also, unlike wired connections, cellular connections cannot be cut, and current cellular module technology includes anti-jamming features.

Lucero does caution that there are challenges to the adoption of wireless technology by the security alarm industry.

“Wireless is a relatively new option and many security alarm dealers have to be trained in the installation process,” he said. “In addition, the relatively high cost of modules, particularly CDMA modules, is an inhibitor. Despite these barriers, however, there is an opportunity here for most if not all cellular module vendors, as well as for carriers and specialist M2M providers.”

AT&T appears to have positioned itself as a key player in the North American market, as has M2M mobile operators Aeris, Jasper Wireless, and Numerex. M2M mobile virtual network operator KORE Telematics is also strongly positioned in this market.

Oklahoma City Unveils Wireless Mesh Network For Public Safety

From Security Products Online
June 5, 2008

Oklahoma City recently unveiled its wireless network -- the largest city owned and operated municipal Wi-Fi mesh network in the world.

The network is used for public safety and other city operations. At this time it does not provide wireless Internet access to the public.

Tropos Networks president and CEO, Tom Ayers presented a plaque to the Mayor and City Council recognizing the City of Oklahoma City for successfully building and implementing the world’s largest municipal wireless broadband network. Tropos Networks provides the network infrastructure equipment.

The wireless mesh network covers 555 square-mile area with 95 percent service coverage in the city’s core. Wireless Tropos routers are installed on city siren towers, traffic lights, buildings and other places. Tropos’ mobile routers are mounted in city vehicles, extending the network coverage area.

“We’re proud to receive this award and claim this distinction,” Mayor Mick Cornett said. “Our state-of-the-art wireless communication system allows City government to be more efficient and provide a higher level of service to our citizens.”

The wireless network is an extension of the City’s information technology infrastructure. City staff now has access from the field to more than 150 software applications.

Police officers are equipped with a laptop in patrol cars that gives them better access to advance criminal information in real time and allows them to download photos, file reports and even do paperwork in the field. In addition, police officers and fire fighters have access to over 300 video cameras, giving them a real time, around-the-clock, birds-eye view of key locations throughout the city.

Fire battalion chiefs are now able to locate water hydrants, review site maps, building floor plans and hazardous materials information while en route to a fire or accident; enabling them to tell incoming response vehicles how and where to set up.

The Wi-Fi mesh network system took more than two years to implement. Strong security measures and policies the city put in place have worked well protecting the network and meeting performance needs.

“We’ve been so pleased with how the wireless network system has improved the coordination and service delivery in our public safety operations that we’re now using it in other City operations,” City Manager Jim Couch said.

RFID Installation Speeds and Secures School Library Processing

From T.H.E. Journal

by Dian Schaffhauser

Red Mountain Middle School in Deming, NM has implemented a radio frequency identification technology in its library for self-service checkout. The school chose RFID technology from Integrated Technology Group, which specializes in library automation technologies. The school, which opened in 2007 and currently has about 900 students, has a library collection of 9,000 volumes. That is expected to grow to 20,000 by the next school year.

"I think we are really trendsetting for public schools," said Teresa Ortiz, library media specialist at the school. "Before ITG installed RFID, I did not have quality time to spend collaborating with teachers to build new learning programs for students. Now I am able to devote much more energy toward collaboration and do what library media specialists are supposed to do--teach!"

The new RFID system includes Apex XpressCheck patron self-service kiosks, an Apex PowerReader wand for inventory purposes, Apex RFID DirectReader software and Apex RFID security pedestals installed at exits for loss protection.

The DirectReader software enables the library to integrate RFID technology into existing library applications. The application replaces bar code scanning with the action of placing a stack of materials on an RFID pad. The user can check in a stack of items or use the "one-at-a-time" method. The security is set on or off at the same time. The staff can turn a tag's security bit on or off independently of any other process.

The school estimates that the new set-up reduces inventory processes to half a day instead of two and a half weeks. Ortiz said is she using the extra time to develop curriculum for an Internet research course that teaches the students how to use the Internet effectively.

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About the author: Dian Schaffhauser is a writer who covers technology and business for a number of publications. Contact her at dian@dischaffhauser.com.

Keeping Watch for Burglars (And Tabs on the Kids)

From the Wall Street Journal...........

Wireless Home Security Lets
You Check In From Afar;
Do-It-Yourself Installation

By CHRISTOPHER LAWTON
February 13, 2008; Page D1

As a police officer in southern Florida, Greg Varley was dispatched to investigate as many as 10 false alarms a day at residents' homes. He was frustrated to discover that most people didn't disarm their security systems properly.

So after retiring and moving to Cookeville, Tenn., Mr. Varley three months ago looked for a home-security system that would give him more control over arming the sensors, helping him avert false alarms. He soon came across a company called InGrid Inc., a security system that he could install himself and control using the Internet.

Mr. Varley now arms and disarms his security system by logging onto a personalized Web site. And in addition to knowing when something goes wrong at home, he also can monitor when things are going right. "It's easy to go online and check the status of your sensors," he says. "We have a cleaning lady who comes, and I can tell when she comes and when she leaves."

InGrid is just one of a wave of Internet- or cellular-based home security and monitoring products on the market now, joining iControl Networks Inc., NextAlarm.com, Broadband Alarm Co. and Alarm.com Inc. in offering homeowners a do-it-yourself approach. Larger companies, such as AT&T Inc., are also moving into the wireless home-security market.

Just 1.5% of homes in the U.S. now use wireless monitoring systems, but that percentage is expected to reach 5% to 6% by 2012, according to market researcher Parks Associates.

That's far below the estimated 25% of U.S. households today that use traditional security systems, such as ADT Security Services Inc. and Brink's Co. Those systems are linked via the homeowners' phone lines and mainly use wired sensors that are placed on window and doors. Traditional systems also use a central-monitoring center that alerts police or fire departments when alarms are triggered.

Internet-based security, however, allows homeowners to place wireless sensors throughout the home -- beyond just entryways. Many of these systems have central monitoring provided by a third party. AT&T doesn't offer central monitoring at all.

Using a password-protected Web page, homeowners can use their computers to view the status of each sensor, see a history of dates and times sensors were triggered, and tailor settings to send email, text-message updates and alerts to smart phones or other hand-held devices.

Alarm on the Gun Rack

These features have given rise to a new type of monitoring: Homeowners are now able to spy on activities going on in their homes. Sensors can be installed on everything from liquor chests to medicine cabinets; gun racks to garage doors. Some of the systems also come with stand-alone Web cams that can be monitored through the Web site while users are at work or out of town.

Boston resident Martin Cowley recently put a wireless sensor from Alarm.com on his home liquor cabinet because he hires a teenage babysitter to watch his small children when he's away. The 39-year-old says he's already experienced some instances when he's been out to dinner and gotten an email from his system saying the liquor cabinet had been opened for a short time. (After later inspection, he found no liquor was taken.)

Makers of the new wireless alarm systems say their customers don't see the monitoring as intrusive. InGrid Chief Executive Louis Stilp says that people mainly want to know if their children are doing something they aren't supposed to. "The benefits that come from that far outweigh any potential privacy issues," he says.

Mary Knebel, a vice president at Alarm.com, says all of her company's features are "opt in," meaning users can choose what services to implement and who has permission to view the reports.

Installation Savings

Since the wireless systems can be set up by homeowners, there may be savings on installation. For example, InGrid's kit for single-family homes, which includes eight wireless sensors and other hardware, costs $299 with a one-year monitoring commitment. Customers who use traditional security systems typically pay $300 to $1,000 for equipment and professional installation. Prices will vary based on the number or type of sensors used, add-on features and the length of the contract. Central monitoring costs are roughly the same -- about $30 a month -- for both traditional and wireless customers.

To get a larger piece of the $8.8 billion home-security market, some big companies are also entering the wireless monitoring business. In late 2006, AT&T launched a home-monitoring service that includes cameras and wireless door and window sensors. This system, which can be self-installed, costs $10 a month and a one-time $200 equipment fee, with a one-year commitment.

ADT says it's planning to add Web and mobile interactive features to its traditional security offering in the coming months, but company officials declined to give specifics. Brink's plans to add complementary Internet-based option to its primary service by the end of the year.

Setting up wireless systems yourself can prove challenging. Homeowners must first add the security system's hardware to their wireless router, which is then connected to a broadband modem. Sensors are then individually placed and programmed to trigger an alert when breached. Finally, a Web site interface is personalized to let homeowners determine who gets notified and how. An opened liquor cabinet could send an email alert to the homeowner, for example, but a backdoor entry may be set to trigger an alert to the monitoring center as well.

Getting Signals Straight

In some cases, the signal may not stretch to all the corners of the home, making it necessary to use "extenders," wireless devices that get all the sensors to communicate with the base unit. Most services offer help over the phone, and InGrid plans to launch a partnership with a professional installation company for those who don't want to install their own systems.

Lee Hutchinson, a 29-year-old computer systems administrator in Houston, recently had trouble figuring out where to put the extender device for his InGrid system so that all the sensors would connect without interference and work properly. He eventually had to draw out a map of his home and email it to InGrid's customer-service department. They sent him two free extra extenders and instructed him on where best to put the devices.

Still, customers of the wireless alarm systems say the products have made them feel safe. Marvin Hayes, a 75-year-old retired International Business Machines Corp. employee, found that his home in Tucson, Ariz., was broken into in 2003 when he was traveling. Thieves broke down the door, ransacked his bedroom and stuffed valuables into a pillowcase. The criminals haven't been caught.

In 2006, Mr. Hayes got a home-monitoring system from iControl, and then installed door sensors, as well as motion-activated cameras on the front door and in the living area. The system sends text messages to his cellphone whenever a sensor is triggered.

"It makes me feel very good that I have some control over my house," he says.

Write to Christopher Lawton at christopher.lawton@wsj.com

Hackett Security Receives Top UL Listing

SecurityInfoWatch.com features our Top UL 2050 Certificate in the following article:

Hackett Security Receives Top UL Listing

St. Louis-based security dealer lands first UL 2050 certificate

Hackett Security

ST. LOUIS, MO -- October 25, 2007 -- Hackett Security, the St. Louis area’s leading security systems company, today announced the firm has received one of the highest designations possible from Underwriters Laboratories. The firm is the first in the nation to receive the prestigious 2050 National Industrial Security System monitoring certificate.

The certificate is part of a new category established by Underwriters Laboratories. It is designed to cover facilities operated by government contractors and others engaged in monitoring security systems for which a National Industrial Security System certificate has been issued. Entities eligible for this listing include monitoring stations not only operated by government contractors but also by commercial central stations.

“This new listing enables Hackett Security to provide security monitoring, products and services to businesses, defense contractors, and government entities at the highest levels,” said Michael J. Hackett, CEO & President. “It will help us expand the firm into different areas as we continue to increase market penetration on a regional and national basis.”

Underwriter Laboratories Inc. is the leading third party certification agency for security and signaling products and systems. A UL certification provides the quickest and surest route to product acceptance by regulatory authorities, insurers, law enforcement organizations, government, retailers and consumers. The new standard is based on several requirements for central monitoring stations to include sound engineering principles, research, records of test and field experience, and an appreciation of the problems of installation, operation, maintenance, and use derived from consultation with and information obtained from system operators, users and others having specialized experience.

Hackett Security, Inc. has been installing and monitoring burglar and fire alarm systems in the greater St. Louis and Southwestern Illinois areas since 1977. The firm has evolved into a total security systems integrator with expertise in card access, gaming, CCTV, high-def photo ID badging, and the latest digital video recording and transmitting technologies. Hackett’s home office is a 24/7 UL listed central station located in St. Louis, MO. The firm operates branch offices in Southern Missouri, Alton, IL and Chicago, IL. For additional information contact Hackett Security online, www.hackettsecurity.com, or call 314-432-4200.

- The Hackett Security Team

AMPS Sundown Impact On Certificated Alarm Systems

In UL 2007 Issue 3 Steve Schmit has a interesting article on the impact of AMPS Sundown on Certificated Alarm Systems.

In a Memorandum Opinion and Order released June 15, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) denied a Petition for Rulemaking filed by the Alarm Industry Communications Committee.

The petition sought to extend the 2/18/08 “sundown” date on the requirement that cellular licensees provide analog service to subscribers whose equipment conforms to the Advanced Mobile Phone Service (AMPS) standard. This effectively means that analog cell phone service in the US will begin to disappear on 2/18/08.

The alarm industry petitioned for an extension because there are a large number of installed alarm systems that employ analog cellular technology as either the primary or secondary backup communication method. Sourcing replacement equipment and retrofitting installed bases will be a challenge for the industry.

This fall, UL will be working with alarm companies that have issued Alarm System Certificates for systems using cellular technology as a required means of communication. An Alarm System Certificate is the issuing alarm service company’s declaration of ongoing conformity with the appropriate Code or Standard. UL’s audit services for systems covered by a Certificate provide an increased level of conformity confidence for alarm system owners, insurance carriers, security managers, fire code authorities and others with a concern for alarm protection.

In order to be in conformity, off-premise reporting systems have to maintain their ability to communicate with a monitoring station at all times. UL will help Listed alarm companies identify Certificated installations that employ cellular technologies and seek their declaration of continued compliance past the 2/18/08 AMPS sundown date. In cases where ongoing conformity cannot be assured, UL will assist alarm companies with the task of canceling the Certificates involved. During the 2008 Certificate Service audit cycle, UL will put an increased focus on Certificated accounts where cellular technology is declared to validate conformity.

UL will work diligently with the alarm industry to maintain uninterrupted certification coverage for alarm systems covered by a UL Certificate. At the same time, UL recognizes the value of the conformity confidence brought by Certificate coverage. We will take appropriate actions to assure that systems covered by a Certificate do indeed comply with the applicable Code or Standard.

By Steve Schmit
For questions regarding Alarm System
Certificates, please contact Steve Schmit
In Northbrook, Ill. at +847-664-2128 or at
Steven.A.Schmit@us.ul.com

- The Hackett Security Team