The Dallas Central Business District is set to undergo a major renaissance and improved public safety is a critical component. To ease the security concerns of residents and visitors, the city’s police department is installing a new wireless video security system based on Sony IPELA® network security cameras.

According to the Dallas Police Department, the new technology will help create a inviting and secure atmosphere that will not only make the city a more attractive entertainment destination, but also make people more inclined to linger downtown after the workday.

The department says the new system uses 31 SNC-SX550N PTZ robotic cameras and nine SNC-Z20N fixed-angle cameras, all connected by a wireless mesh network, to provide coverage of about 30 percent of the downtown area.  Dallas Police Department officers monitor the footage around-the-clock, and two week’s worth of images can be saved on servers for follow-up investigations.

“We are opening a new era for downtown Dallas, and these Sony security cameras are helping to create a fresh public perception of the area by providing increased safety,” said Dallas Police Chief David Kunkle. “The highly visible observation ‘pods’ in public areas give much the same sense of assurance the public feels by seeing an officer on duty – and also provides a strong sense of deterrence to any criminal element.”

Kunkle said the program is expected to reduce crime by 30 percent or more in the covered areas while boosting citizen satisfaction rating on the sense of safety downtown to more than 65 percent.  The program was paid for by an $840,000 grant from the Meadows Foundation and will be expanded to other areas of the city as additional funds become available.

Bringing the Dallas Police into the 21st Century

The new IP-based wireless video security system is part of a wide-ranging series of enhancements that began with Chief Kunkle’s arrival in Dallas some three years ago. Kunkle said that part of his mission has been to look at best practices and innovations by other departments across the country.

According to Kunkle, the advent of IP-based security systems has been a significant innovation, acting as a “force multiplier,” allowing police departments to leverage resources to deliver services with greater effect and efficiency as compared to traditional methods. Remote monitoring allows officers to walk a “virtual beat” creating an effective presence over a broad area.

Kunkle said that an initial test system using 17 cameras from other manufacturers were deployed over a 90-day period in 2004 – 2005. The results showed the potential for the technology, with 50 sightings of suspicious activity and 12 arrests that resulted directly from the use of the test system. However, according to Kunkle, the prototype system failed to deliver the necessary image quality to meet the department’s needs. This experience helped define the stringent selection criteria that were included in the request for proposals for the system, Kunkle said.

One key specification was “excellent resolution,” said Kunkle – the ability to resolve a three-inch letter at 500 feet. Six vendors responded to the RFP, and BearCom, a national wireless value-added reseller and integrator, won the highly competitive selection process with a system using the Sony IPELA cameras.

“The SNC-SX550N and SNC-Z20N cameras were a key element in our success in winning this contract,” said Kent Huffman, chief marketing officer at Bearcom. “These cameras also provided confidence that the system would be well ahead of the curve, continuing to set the standard for this technology for many years to come. Another factor in the selection process was the solid backing that Sony provides through a terrific warranty for its products.”

The 40 IPELA cameras are mounted on poles in 31 locations throughout the downtown district and have already undergone a significant “torture test” after a major ice storm blanketed the region in January. For Huffman this demonstrated the value in the department’s decision to select the highest-quality system available.

“An important aspect of the design was to not sacrifice quality for quantity of coverage,” Huffman said.  The department wanted something scalable that could operate effectively for many years despite the fast changing technology. Selecting a system based on Sony IPELA cameras means that the technology will not get stuck with worn-out, obsolete cameras.”

On Track for Success

Since the system has gone online, Kunkle said that a staff of 36 part-time, retired officers have been recruited to monitor the images generated by the system. These trained observers have been able to quickly master the operation of the cameras to sweep through the patrol areas. The systems are also highly visible, so the sense of safety – and deterrence – has been immediate, according to Kunkle.  Early indications show that the goals for a significant reduction in crimes both against property and persons are on track.

For Meadows Foundation President and CEO Linda Perryman Evans, the funds for the system are an encouragement and inspiration for others to join the foundation’s effort to establish a national reputation for Dallas in pioneering IP-based security methodologies.

“We appreciate the job that our police do to help keep Dallas safe, and are happy to provide them this new technology to help them advance the war on crime,” Evans said. “It is our sincere hope that others will join in supporting their efforts to make Dallas a safety leader among cities.”

For Jack Hammack, co-founder of Safer Dallas/Better Dallas, a citizen-led support group for the Dallas Police Department, the investment in the new IPELA cameras will provide a return for many years to come.

“We know that increased public safety will spur economic development, help create new job opportunities and enrich the lives of all in our community,” Hammack said.