With the half of the world's population living in urban areas today, public safety for residents has never been more important. However, crime rates in cities are increasing exponentially and network surveillance solutions may be the key to improving the safety of residents.
Imagine living in a city where you can take a walk at any time of the day or night without fear. Or leave your door unlocked while you shop, knowing that your vehicle would be there when you return. While this is the dream of many residents, the reality of living in the city tends to be quite different.
ThoughtLab's recent report, "From Future Vision to Urban Reality "The report, sponsored by Axis Communications, explored the different factors affecting cities and the most effective strategies authorities are using to prepare for the future. This report revealed that one third (35 %) experienced serious crime.
However, forward-thinking city officials understand that high levels of criminal activity can have an impact beyond safety and security, affecting factors such as property values and how residents use public transportation. These cities take a proactive approach to monitoring, deterring and responding to criminal activity, using technology to stay one step ahead.
Our latest e-book, Surveillance technology for future-proof citiesThe report describes examples of use cases and tangible steps that authorities can take to improve crime rates in their cities.
Let's take a look at the areas where technology can have the greatest impact.
Centralization of operations to drive efficiency
Although incidents of unwanted and criminal behavior can occur independently or as part of a larger organized activity, law enforcement officials and emergency services must act in a coordinated manner to protect lives and limit harm. The establishment of real-time crime centers (RTCCs), which collect data from surveillance cameras, radar, audio equipment and intelligent analytics, will help provide real-time situational awareness and information. This will improve efficiency and emergency response by centralizing data from a number of sources. As a result, you have all the information you need to coordinate responses, allocate resources, investigate efficiently and execute your plan.
Intrusion and Intrusion Detection
People with malicious intent often gather in quiet, out-of-the-way areas near high-value or sensitive locations, which may give them the opportunity to strike. Preventing criminal activity often involves denying or deterring access to certain areas, such as parking lots and parks, after hours. You can use cameras equipped with analytics at the end to detect loitering or trespassing in designated areas, alert security personnel and activate deterrent activities if intervention is necessary.
Body-worn cameras for surveillance, deterrence and education
Sometimes, having another perspective on an incident can make a critical difference in the outcome of a case. While network surveillance cameras provide a broader view, body cameras put you in the center of the action and capture audio and video for evidence used by law enforcement and legal proceedings. They act as a complement to other surveillance methods that feed RTTC, providing security officials with another source of data. These cameras are also effective before an incident occurs, acting as deterrents and assisting in de-escalation efforts in potentially dangerous or violent situations.
Integrated cameras for risk management and operational efficiency
Not only is it essential to monitor activity on the ground, but also in vehicles such as buses, trains and streetcars. Onboard camera systems can assist law enforcement and first responders in a number of ways, providing multi-camera, indoor and outdoor images to security personnel, even while vehicles are in motion. This enables real-time patrols and integrations with other surveillance views to provide a single view of an incident and enable fast and effective response.
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Preventing and deterring crime requires a multi-factorial approach and the most future-ready cities are already implementing solutions that support security personnel and provide additional "eyes and ears" to aid responses. In fact, 70 % of future-ready cities have already invested in smart ground surveillance to help improve the safety of residents.
