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Housing Authority Cuts Crime With Mesh Network

"Knowing that these cameras are up and monitored, those who live in and around public housing can better understand the business impact a safe environment has on a community"

A mesh network operated by the Rockford Housing Authority in Rockford, Ill., has resulted in a rapid decrease in criminal activity. The network, developed by Firetide Inc., connects outdoor video surveillance cameras wirelessly to a central location for live monitoring and recording of the video feeds.

The video cameras and mesh nodes are housed in custom-built, bulletproof enclosures designed and built by Montel Technologies. "We added the Rockford Police Department logo and flashing police lights as an extra deterrent," said Ray Montelongo, president of Montel Technologies. "So far they have been extremely effective. These units are extremely rugged and the quality of the video feeds is excellent."

"By partnering with Montel and Firetide, we were able to deliver a technology-based solution to reduce crime and disorder in public housing," said Lewis Jordan, executive director of the Rockford Housing Authority. "Immediately after the cameras were installed, crime and loitering diminished immensely, and both our residents and employees are feeling safer. Equally as important, the installation of the cameras has helped to improve the perception of public housing especially to prospective residents. Knowing that these cameras are up and monitored, those who live in and around public housing can better understand the business impact a safe environment has on a community. Furthermore, the installation of the cameras has assisted our local police department as well as our property managers in being proactive in addressing potential problems."

The Rockford mesh network includes 16 outdoor enclosures with mesh nodes and IP video cameras plus five indoor mesh nodes for video monitoring and for relaying mesh network traffic. Four police cars are also equipped with mobile Firetide mesh nodes so police officers can view live video from their cars while on patrol.

"This project demonstrates how effective mesh networks are for public safety, especially when outdoor video surveillance is required over a large area," said Firetide CEO Bo Larsson. "Our mesh networks form themselves automatically without wires, eliminating the high cost and installation time associated with deploying video and network cabling. This enables better and more affordable video surveillance systems to become operational in a fraction of the time compared to a conventional installation."

Encouraged by its initial success, the city is planning to eventually use the same mesh network to deliver broadband Internet access to Rockford Housing Authority residents. "Because the wireless infrastructure is already in place, it will be easy and affordable to narrow the digital divide for our citizens and to use technology as an educational tool to help public housing residents move closer to self-sufficiency," Jordan said.