Preparing for the Worst, Just in Case
Four years ago, Coastal Carolina University looked to fix the broken call boxes on its campus. With the help of Myrtle Beach Communications and Motorola, not only did the university receive upgraded call boxes, it also installed numerous IP cameras to monitor the entire campus.
The Next Move: Installing IP Cameras
Once the call boxes were in place, CCU’s public safety department decided that placing cameras around the call boxes to monitor what goes on in the area would enhance safety. Previously, the campus only had cameras in two residence halls, where all surveillance was recorded on VHS videocassettes. The old analog cameras made it difficult for campus safety personnel to determine where and when an incident took place. Furthermore, locating a recorded event was a tedious process, and footage could be easily edited and manipulated.
Thus, officials asked Hocutt what could be done to fix the problem. For this, Hocutt requested help from Motorola to replace the old model with a new IP video system. Hocutt installed the Motorola Canopy® platform technology and Panasonic’s iPro Series video recorders.
With Canopy, areas of the university that did not have network infrastructure were supplied network capabilities through point-to-point and point-to-multipoint technology. Through the point-to-point Canopy Series, CCU is able to backhaul video data to guardhouses that do not have network infrastructure. This allows security personnel to transmit IP data to the dispatch center. Additionally, point-to-multipoint technology allows the public safety department to view footage that is streamed between multiple locations.
Now, with digital recording, there is less room for error. When dispatchers view the footage, they can determine what time an incident occurred and zero in on those particular images, rather than sift through hours and hours of VHS tape. From that, officials can download the information on a CD, making it easier to distribute the information to safety personnel.
If you appreciated this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our FREE digital newsletters!
Related Content
Leading in Turbulent Times: Effective Campus Public Safety Leadership for the 21st Century
This new webcast will discuss how campus public safety leaders can effectively incorporate Clery Act, Title IX, customer service, “helicopter” parents, emergency notification, town-gown relationships, brand management, Greek Life, student recruitment, faculty, and more into their roles and develop the necessary skills to successfully lead their departments. Register today to attend this free webcast!
