Night
Vision Goggles for all East Midlands Helicopter Crew
East
Midlands Air Support Unit has become the first unit to equip its entire
helicopter crew with night vision goggles.
Three sets of Fenns NG2000 Night Vision Goggles were bought by
the unit which provides aerial cover for Northamptonshire, Warwickshire
and Leicestershire.
The
high quality optics will help the crew spot offenders or people missing
at night, through just tiny amounts of light, such as the glow of a cigarette
or the lit-up display on a mobile phone, some distance away.
The helicopter's internal lighting has been converted to be compatible
with the eyewear.
Mick Dunn, executive officer of the East Midlands Air Support Unit, said:
'We cover three fairly rural shire counties where there are a lot of dark
holes and previously night time searches were extremely difficult.'
'With the Night Vision Goggles, the pilot is able to improve his spatial
awareness being able to see visual references including, importantly,
the ground. The goggles need just a small light source - if there is enough
ambient lighting from the moon, the pilot will get an image.'
The Goggles have already saved one man's life. Last July, the crew used
them to find a man in hiding when they spotted a glimmer of reflected
light on the number plate of the man's car and guided officers on the
ground before he was able to take his own life.
The introduction of the night vision system cost £160,000, which
includes nearly £50,000 for the three sets of goggles and the remainder
spent on converting the aircraft lighting.
Much of the cost was funded by a £121,000 Home Office grant with
the rest having been jointly funded by Northamptonshire, Warwickshire
and Leicestershire police forces.
The decision to invest in Night Vision Goggles followed recommendations
by the Air Accidents Investigation Branch, the Civil Aviation Authority
and the Home Office, for police air support units to consider night vision
technology to improve flight safety.
http://www.fenn-night-vision.co.uk/
WCCTV
Cameras Target Watford Graffiti 'Taggers'
Watford
Borough Council will introduce covert Wireless CCTV cameras in graffiti
hotspots to catch a hard core of graffiti 'taggers'.
David Gilbertson, managing director of WCCTV, supplier of the cameras
said the council have bought a Wireless Dome System that is used for overt
applications and is mainly placed on a street lighting column.
The Council has also purchased covert kit called a TX Compact. The TX
Compact was supplied with various cameras specifically for the job, these
included tiny pin hole cameras and low light bullet cameras for covert
night time operations.
'WCCTV work in close partnership with local governments up and down the
country to provide real solutions to address everyday problems. Our Wireless
CCTV systems are flexible and cost effective which has proved a real hit
with our customers. In essence WCCTV develop solutions to problems as
opposed to products which are then marketed,' Mr Gilbertson said.
The Wireless CCTV cameras will be situated around the town. Persistent
graffiti offenders who are caught on camera will then be identified and
dealt with via Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO's) and Acceptable Behaviour
Contracts (ABC's).
http://www.wcctv.co.uk/
ShiftWatch®
Video Surveillance Product Withstands 10lb Blast Test
ShiftWatch's
Video Surveillance Product has survived an explosion similar to the London
bus bombing.
The ShiftWatch® Video Surveillance product withstood a blast using
10 pounds of explosive material, and provided data and video of the event
up to within seconds of the blast.
The
test was devised to demonstrate that the ShiftWatch product, designed
with two types of storage, including a Sony® Advanced Intelligent
Tape™ (AIT) drive, could withstand such a catastrophic incident and
continue to provide video of the event. This is the fourth successful
bombing test the product withstood.
'The vast majority of public transit systems in the U.S. and around the
world are not equipped with video surveillance systems,' said Michael
Siemens, president of A4S Security, Inc. 'The few transit systems that
do use video surveillance are not able to recover the video in catastrophic
incidents, such as crashes and explosions.'
Under the supervision of the Larimer County (Colorado) Sheriff's Department,
explosive experts conducted a controlled explosion of a retired city bus.
For verification purposes, a representative from Underwriters Laboratories,
Inc. was on site to witness the test explosion per A4S Security, Inc.
test criteria and methodology.
Also on hand to observe the test were representatives from the Colorado
Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation
(FBI).
The ShiftWatch system, placed directly behind the driver's seat, withstood
the blast that travelled in excess of eight thousand feet per second,
and was so severe that it tore off the roof of the bus and stripped most
of the bus down to bare metal.
http://www.shiftwatch.com/
New
Radar Gun Launched by Decatur Electronics
Decatur
Electronics has launched the next 'revolution' in Police Radar.
The
Genesis Handheld Directional(tm) has advanced direction sensing technology
and costs $495* per unit (*U.S. price only).
The corded radar gun uses a K-band directional antenna and weighs two
pounds.
Greg DiRenzo, sales manager for Decatur Electronics, said: 'At Decatur
Electronics, we are taking advantage of technological advancements while
continuing to provide an inexpensive radar solution.
'Now, with this hi-tech, low cost radar solution, agencies can afford
to expand their radar coverage and increase their traffic safety programme
by increasing the number of radar guns available for officers.'
Other features of the Genesis Handheld Directional include:
* Direction Sensing Technology
* Simple-To-Use Stationary Format
* Display Approaching or Receding Traffic
* Display Traffic in Both Directions
* Isolate Traffic in One Direction
* Track and Lock the FASTER Target
* Easy-To-Read LCD Display
* Target and Lock Speeds Displayed
* 32-Bit DSP for Fast Target Acquisition
* Rugged Polycarbonate Housing
* Track-Through-Lock
* Communications Port
* Pure Audio Doppler (Not Synthesised)
* Software Upgradeable (Via Data Port)
Search
Systems Enters Tactical Thermal Imaging Market
Search
Systems, Inc. has announced the company’s entry into the Tactical
Thermal Imaging market with the SEARCHCAM® TacTIC™ and the SEARCHCAM®
TacTIC H2™ systems.
The SEARCHCAM TacTIC H2 (Hand Held Tactical Thermal Imaging Camera) has
been designed for night vision surveillance of incident perimeters and
other no light / low light applications.
The BlueLife™ Image feature shows body temperature images in a brilliant
blue hue so that human figures may be easily discerned in the image evaluation.
Objects over 220º appear in red. When the cross hairs in the centre of
the camera image are placed upon an object, the camera provides the actual
temperature of that object.
Other features include: a full 5' LCD display, Field Replaceable Protective
Screens, an integrated Digital Compass, Digital Zoom (2X), and replaceable
/ rechargeable Lithium Ion (LI) Cartridge Batteries or a sealed lead acid
battery. The unit is light weight (2.2 pounds) and can be easily stowed.
The combination of the 36° Field Of View (FOV) and the Digital Zoom
provides the ability to view wide areas at a distance and to zoom in on
items of particular interest with greater detail. Additionally, the FOV
supports the ability to use the equipment in close operations.
The LI Battery cartridge will operate the systems from 2 to 3 hours of
continuous operation depending upon the level of brightness used on the
monitor. The system comes with three LI batteries and a charger. A battery
can be recharged in approximately 3 hours.
Rotating batteries between active use and the charger will provide 24/7
operation. The power sources for the charger are 120 VAC or 12V automobile
current. Additionally, the Searchcam sealed lead acid battery can be used;
thereby, making the unit compatible with other cameras produced by Search
Systems. The sealed lead acid batteries will operate the system for over
5 hours of continuous operation.
The SEARCHCAM TacTIC provides an articulating (260º) camera head on an
11' probe. The camera head contains the traditional black and white CCD
camera, a 16 element infrared (non-visible) illumination array and a thermal
imaging camera. The operator can instantly alternate between video modes
by simply pressing a button.
The probe and the extension capability make this system great for clearance
operations and surveillance in all lighting conditions. It is typically
used to clear access in stairwells, rooms, attics, and to provide surveillance
through multiple story windows. The availability of the two video protocols
provides an added level of protection for the operator and the team. A
subject that can hide themselves from physical view of the CCD camera
can often be detected by using the Thermal Imaging protocol. For instance,
even when a subject is hidden beneath attic insulation, their heat pattern
can be viewed via thermal imaging.
The TacTIC also uses the same LI cartridge battery as the TacTIC H2. The
internal battery system eliminates the need for external cables that can
be a nuisance to the operator. It can also use the traditional SEARCHCAM
sealed lead acid battery if desired.
EMITALL
Surveillance SA Wins Award
Swiss-based
EMITALL Surveillance SA has won the 2006 Frost & Sullivan Technology
Innovation Award in the field of investigative support for Homeland Security.
Frost & Sullivan commended the company for its research into remote
video surveillance and privacy protection systems - advances that are
set to have a profound impact on the homeland security sector.
Supported by a global team of experts in encoding and compression technologies
as well as in video and image analysis, EMITALL delivers high-performance
video surveillance solutions for residential, retail, police departments
and public (security as well as defence departments) markets.
The company's two new product lines, due out this year, span remote video
surveillance and privacy protection systems.
'The surveillance system offers not only easy and seamless access to video
and images of a video surveillance system, any time and from anywhere
but also allows residential areas to be equipped with cost-effective video
monitoring systems that provide high-quality images for criminal identification,'
said Frost & Sullivan Research Analyst Haritha Ramachandran.
With five patents already filed and five more forthcoming, EMITALL says
that it continues to aggressively pioneer novel technologies and introduce
them into the market. The company's unique technologies have significantly
impacted the homeland security market and are poised to redefine industry
standards.
L-3's
Infrared Camera Praised by US Police
US
police have praised L-3's infrared cameras for their contribution
to restoring order after the Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans.
Lieutenant Duane Schexnayder, SWAT supervisor, said: ‘It was sheer
lawlessness. In a city like New Orleans, L-3's thermal imaging camera
proved to be a powerful tool, not only for protecting the residents of
the city, but also for protecting our officers.'
'Being able to have that sort of advantage over suspicious persons was
critical to containing looters and other dangerous suspects.'
The Louisiana State SWAT unit received three Thermal-Eye X100xp thermal
imaging cameras and was dispatched to New Orleans in an effort to restore
order in the city.
Charged with the task of curbing the looting and protecting residents,
the SWAT units sent out 'black-out patrols,' which used both night vision
and thermal imaging units to locate threats long before subjects knew
the patrols were there.
The thermal imaging cameras also allowed team members to distinguish true
threats from non-threats. An overworked area sheriff's department asked
the SWAT team to investigate a tank breach where some shots that had been
fired. Using the Thermal-Eye X100xp, the officers were able to determine
that it was not a shotgun that had been fired, rather a propane-operated
bird scare device. Using the camera, operators matched the heat signature
of the propane blast with the resulting sound. Not only did the cameras
help protect the SWAT officers, but they also allowed the sheriff's office
to use their ever-decreasing, valuable resources somewhere more effective.
'We're using the heck out of them,' Schexnayder added. 'And we have yet
to really put them through the wringer.'
Saint-Gobain
Crystals New, Lighter Transparent Armour Products
Jeffrey
Rioux of Saint-Gobain Crystals presented a report on advances in
the design and ballistic performance of the company's Sapphire Transparent
Armour System last month.
Mr Rioux said: 'Saint-Gobain's ability to reduce the weight and thickness
of a ballistic glass system can provide direct benefits in a wide variety
of armour applications, including government and military programmes such
as tactical vehicles, armoured personnel vehicles, maritime blast protection
and helicopter platforms.'
'Recent ballistic test results have shown that our Sapphire Transparent
Armour System is at least 40 percent lighter and 40 percent thinner than
a glass-only system with equivalent ballistic performance.'
'We achieved weight reduction without sacrificing ballistic performance
by incorporating a layer of Saint-Gobain Crystals' Saphikon® EFG™
Sapphire for the strike face of the laminated structure.
Saint-Gobain Crystals is part of Compagnie de Saint-Gobain, headquartered
in Paris, France. Saint-Gobain is a leading producer of construction products
(building materials, insulation and pipe), high-performance materials
(abrasives, industrial ceramics, high-performance plastics, and reinforcements),
flat glass, and glass containers. The company is also a leading distributor
of building products in Europe. One of the top 100 industrial companies
in the world, Saint-Gobain's 2004 sales were approximately $40 billion.
In addition to sapphire products supplied by Saint-Gobain Crystals for
transparent high-impact applications, Saint-Gobain also supplies other
materials to the armoured products market. Saint-Gobain Ceramics manufactures
ceramic plates used in body armour which protects U.S. soldiers, in addition
to ceramic materials used in vehicular and aircraft armour systems.
Skin
Texture Comparison in 2006
Aurora's
new version of eGallery will have the ability to compare skin texture.
The new system, due to be launched in 2006, will run on a G6 engine for
faster head and eye locators and will also be able to compare a person's
skin texture.
It will retain the G3 engine for poorer quality images and will have software
able to select the appropriate engine depending on the image quality.
Speaking at Aurora's fourth biometric conference, Hugh Carr-Archer, Aurora
CEO, said: ‘We don't have an exact date for the new version, but
it will be sometime in 2006.’
Aurora is also looking to develop surveillance and analysis of CCTV to
help users to 'pick a face from the crowd'.
‘Miniature’
Launch from Komcept
Komcept Solutions (KSL) will be using Milipol to launch its range of 'miniature' products. The company will show its innovative image capturing surveillance recorder, the size of 20 cigarettes, which can store 40,000 images on a 1GB memory card. This highly flexible device (called CAMSTORE) can be configured for almost any static or moving surveillance requirement.
The
company will also show the first available products in its range of controllable
radio eavesdropping devices (called Radio Microphone). Measuring only
50mm x 30mm x 5mm, the remote controlled scrambled digital transmitter
and pocket size receiver will find many uses in security and intelligence
applications.
http://komcept.com/miniature.shtml
Launch
of AudioSoft’s AudioPC-LE
European
law enforcement agencies will be introduced to AudioSoft's new
digital covert recording system for the first time at Milipol 2005.
AudioPC-LE, the UK police standard for digital four channel audio/video
surveillance recording, is already operational with significant number
of UK police forces.
The system records high bandwidth audio and high quality synchronised
video in H.264 format, producing evidential material as DVD's which has
been accepted by UK Courts as rigorously examined and approved admissible
material.
The recording systems are available as both a 19’ rack mount system
for fixed covert monitoring posts, and as a portable and briefcase combination
for unobtrusive rapid deploy covert operations.
Commenting on the export initiative into Europe Martin Nash Business Development
Manager said: ‘The relaxation of country specific laws in Europe
on the capability to carry out covert surveillance make our products operationally
desirable to European Police Forces for the first time’.
AudioSoft will be aiming to establish contact with European Distributors
at the exhibition who already have a track record of success within surveillance
markets; and also directly with Technical and Surveillance Units of European
Police Forces who would deploy at an operational level.
http://www.audiosoft.co.uk/
Audiotel
International Launches Scanlock M3 at Milipol
Audiotel
International
will launch its latest counter surveillance receiver, Scanlock M3, at
Milipol Paris 2005.
Scanlock M3 has been designed to make sweeping for RF Transmitters quicker
and easier than ever before. With multiple detector channels and a scanning
range of 10 MHz to 10 GHz, Scanlock M3 is capable of detecting all major
eavesdropping threats. Weighing less than 2 Kg, Scanlock M3 is easily
carried around the target area to locate the exact location of listening
devices.
‘We spoke to a number of TSCM professionals before designing Scanlock
M3,’ said Peter Crussell, Commercial Manager.
‘As a result we have produced a product that is not only much lighter
and easier to use than traditional receivers, but is capable of locating
RF transmitters in a fraction of the time.'
Audiotel International will also launch its latest Non-Linear Junction
Detector, OD1, at the exhibition.
The first in a new line of Non-linear Junction Detectors (NLJD) developed
specifically for the IED/EOD markets, OD1 is a narrowband pulsed (CW)
NLJD operating over the range of 850 - 950 MHz in 5 MHz bandwidths. OD1
is the first NLJD that gives spectral analysis on harmonic returns, enabling
clocking frequencies to be measured. This allows users to potentially
identify known targets.
Light and portable, OD1 has been ergonomically designed for comfortable
operation and ease of use, says the company.
http://www.audiotel-international.com/
Servision
Surveillance System Launched in UK
An
anti-terrorist surveillance system that its Israeli makers claim to be
the most advanced of its kind, has been launched in the UK. Servision's
IVG 400 is already used widely in Israel, and by South African and mainland
European police forces.
Gideon
Tahan, Servision Chief Executive, said: 'Our system is the first mobile
DVR in the world to transmit video streaming of the highest quality over
cellular networks, and has won prestigious international awards for its
quality and affordability. Its quality and reliability has made it the
security system of choice for several European, American and Asian police
forces.'
The system's mobile shock-proof digital video recorder can be quickly
and easily installed on buses, underground and main line trains. It can
be accessed from miles away, transmitting live top quality video real
time streaming over a cellular modem line - which means that no wires
or cables are needed. Vehicles can be monitored from any location via
the modem, transmitting directly to a handheld PDA or cell phone, as well
as to a control centre.
Each device is also fitted with a panic button, allowing drivers to contact
head office, and/or the police, directly should a situation become threatening.
The modem cards are compatible to all mobile networks including 02, Vodafone
and Orange.
The system is suitable for all mobile applications including monitoring
cash in transit, police/security response vehicles, traffic monitoring,
cargo and freight monitoring/logistics management. It can also be used
in areas such as university campus/company security and process monitoring
in environments such as water, gas and oil. Commercial applications also
exist in mines, banks, ATMs and unmanned sites. The units can also be
used to monitor homes.
The IVG 400 is the first integrated surveillance system to combine security
functionality with the highest level of video streaming performance in
a single unit. It also features stand-alone operation, high quality video
recording and fully supports standard PTZ control.
It can handle four standard video cameras connected to a single server.
Each video channel has full motion detection capability and alarm triggered
video recording. The unit also records and displays pre- and post-alarm
and offers up to 30 days worth of recording, comparable to the best digital
security recorders.
In the near future the system will have GPS tracking capability.
Recently, the IVG 400 has won the product achievement award for asset
tracking at the ISC-West 2005 New Product Showcase held in Las Vegas.
Earlier in the year, it also won the award for best CCTV pro.
Integrian
Extends Product Range
Integrian,
maker of mobile digital video solutions, has announced that it is extending
its product range to mobile surveillance for police helicopters and motorcycles.
Integrian which already develops and manufactures the DigitalPatroller®
mobile video surveillance system for police and other public safety vehicles,
says it is responding rapidly to market demand for rugged video solutions
adapted specifically to alternative environments.
Integrian's motorcycle system is programmed to record automatically using
system triggers such a flashing lights, and is stopped by means of the
same triggers, with an optional post-record buffer.
Minimal user interaction is required, so the officer can focus on the
situation at hand which is particularly critical on a motorcycle. The
camera is a compact, wide-angle, weatherproof unit.
In the air, DigitalPatroller fully integrates with all existing gyro-stabilised
cameras inside the helicopter. Likewise, the product captures incoming
radio traffic from the chopper's existing audio system, eliminating the
need for a dedicated microphone. The pilot's MDT becomes the client, server
and burner all in one unit, so officers can capture incidents, download
onto DVD and hand off critical evidence immediately in the field.
‘Officers experience the benefit of DigitalPatroller in their police
cruisers every day. They want that same level of evidentiary protection
for other vehicle applications,’ said Bob Bradley, vice president
of Sales. ‘Our technology is perfectly suited to these unique, extreme
environments.’
http://www.integrian.com/
Intelligent
Infrared Security Cameras
The
generation of Intelligent Infrared Security Cameras is on the cards following
the teaming up of US-based FLIR Systems and ObjectVideo®.
Under
the agreement, FLIR will embed ObjectVideo's intelligent video software
into selected ThermoVision® security and surveillance products.
FLIR's ThermoVision imaging provides consistent high-contrast imagery
independent of lighting conditions and obscurants such as smoke, fog,
and haze, while ObjectVideo's software provides reliable means to identify
threats.
ObjectVideo's surveillance algorithms, based on artificial intelligence,
are embedded into each cameras firmware. It enables each camera to detect
threats and send alerts independent of human monitoring, a breakthrough
in comprehensive security monitoring, allowing operators complete thermal
surveillance capabilities at the camera level.
‘We are pleased to be able to offer ObjectVideo's sophisticated threat
detection software in our line of security and surveillance cameras,’
said Earl Lewis, CEO of FLIR Systems.
‘This represents another step in our goal of making thermal technology
an affordable and effective choice for any security application.’
Microbus,
a specialist in in-car computer technology, has launched the MBX Seal
PC to operate in harsh outdoor conditions including roads, railway lines
and ships.
With an inbuilt 12V PSU, the PC is designed for 24/7 operation and can
withstand temperatures from minus 20 degrees to plus 35 degrees centigrade.
Two video capture channels support simultaneous full speed capture of
PAL or NTSC inputs making it ideal for ANPR and video surveillance applications.
GPRS provides support for wireless installations thanks to the system’s
tri-band module and integrated antenna.
http://www.microbus.com
Video
Domain Technologies
exhibited its best-selling MemoCam range at this year’s Superintendent’s
Association annual conference.
The
MemoCam MC720, billed as the first of the next generation, is the only
all-in-one digital CCTV system using megapixel technology.
Because it takes pictures in 1.2 megapixels, the smallest details can
be enlarged without losing any of the quality, says the company.
The system comes with camera, VMD and PIR sensors and DVR, all hidden
in a standard PIR container
http://www.vdomain.com
Northgate
Exhibits at 'Super Conf'
Northgate
Information Solutions which supplies Kent police with CallTouch, a system
that handles calls effectively in emergency situations was among the exhibitors
at the annual Superintendents conference.
The company has now developed Northgate Criminal Justice CRM (customer
relationship management) specifically for UK police.
Criminal Justice CRM builds on CallTouch which includes call handling,
call prioritisation and automatic call distribution.
‘By giving the ability to see each contact in context, using information
on name, location and the previous contact history, Criminal Justice CRM
helps create effective and adaptive call management processes and dramatically
increases the number of issues that can be resolved whilst increasing
public satisfaction,’ says the company.
http://www.northgate-is.com/company/index.php
ZyIMAGE
Legal Productivity Suite
A
low cost content management system that cuts the time taken to prepare
case files for court has been unveiled by Zylab.
The ZyIMAGE Legal Productivity Suite starts at £5000 and allows
the user to ‘shop’ for relevant documents for a case file within
a comprehensive Web-based repository.
Once located, the documents are added to a 'shopping cart,' which can
then be downloaded or printed. Downloaded documents are saved in an open
XML format and prints can either be made on paper or to PDF.
Dr. Johannes Scholtes, president of ZyLAB, said the system saves time
and money as well as reducing the potential for important court file information
to be missed.
'Before a case goes to court, an enormous amount of unstructured and unorganised
electronic and paper data needs to be reviewed and processed by people
working on the case.'
'Much of the work involves gathering background data as well as organising
and cross-referencing information among legal precedents, court records,
testimonies, and so forth.
'Often, this work is done by hand and within extremely tight deadlines,
which can lead to information being missed or incorrectly processed, particularly
among legal teams with many members.
Users can further support their disclosure activities with ZyLAB's advanced
redaction tool. Redactions are stored with documents, so if redactions
are performed on disclosures at different times, the user can automatically
see older redactions
Web: http://www.zylab.com/
Approval
for New Strataform Cell Doors
Strataform, the physical security specialists, have introduced a new range
of cell doors and grilles, which meet the approval of HM Prison Service's
Property Services Group.
The new Strataform Cell Doors are part of the acclaimed Sentinel 8000
range that also includes Panels, Kiosks, Guard Posts and Glazed Screens.
Where necessary, these high quality physical security products have been
rigorously tested (sometimes for up to 6 months) to defend against Physical,
Fire, Bomb-Blast and Ballistic assaults.
In addition to cell doors, Strataform has also designed and manufactured
a comprehensive choice of grilles, screens, observation windows, benches
and tables - all to the company's unyielding high standards.
Established 30 years, Strataform has applied its vast security industry
experience to offer a wide range of options to its new range, such as
laminated glass observation windows, ventilation grilles, textured stainless
steel finishes, electric release locks and lock variations.
http://www.strataform.co.uk/