Handling public safety at a large university such as the University of Kentucky, which sees around 60,000 people daily, presents significant challenges. This is further complicated by the integration of an on-campus hospital and a statewide healthcare network.
The University has addressed these complexities by upgrading its security system to include Hanwha Vision cameras. This upgrade is managed by the UK police and security team, a group that includes Police Chief Joseph Monroe, Deputy Chief Nathan Brown, and Security Technology Group leader Stephen Cornett, and covers the University and the UK HealthCare system throughout the state.
Enhancing Security Infrastructure
Joseph Monroe, Police Chief, described the security efforts at the University as an evolving mission. "When I started 30 years ago, we had 35 officers," he remarked.
"Now we’re nearly 90, plus campus police, hospital police, crisis management teams, and a security technology group. But our mission hasn’t changed: provide a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, and staff to learn and work." Previously, UK's surveillance comprised a disconnected mix of over 60 largely analog systems, which led to significant coverage gaps. "Investigating an incident meant logging into multiple platforms," noted Brown. "It was slow and inefficient."
Integration with Advanced Surveillance Technology
With nearly 5,000 Hanwha Vision cameras in place, the University now enjoys improved security coverage
With nearly 5,000 Hanwha Vision cameras in place, the University now enjoys improved security coverage. The advanced cameras, which include multi-sensor, 8K, and edge-based analytics models, are strategically positioned throughout the campus.
A new Security Operations Center (SOC) has been established to manage the camera network, leveraging the Fusus platform for real-time data sharing with city cameras and the City of Lexington’s Real-Time Crime Center.
Improved Response and Situational Awareness
Deputy Chief Brown emphasized the newfound efficiency, "We can respond to incidents faster and more accurately." He described an incident involving a false report of an active shooter where operators quickly verified the situation using live video, allowing for an informed response while avoiding unnecessary panic. Previously reliant on single-sensor cameras, the older system had limitations in coverage that required extensive resources to address. "With new Hanwha Vision multi-sensor cameras, one device covers 360°," explained Cornett. "It has dramatically expanded our view, requiring fewer cameras and less infrastructure."
Beyond traditional security, the system also enhances coordination during large events. For instance, football game days see the campus population double, requiring extensive surveillance planning and execution. Monroe highlighted that the surveillance enhancements facilitate better event management and safety, allowing for comprehensive coverage that extends beyond the stadium itself.
Advanced Imaging for Enhanced Safety
The introduction of high-resolution cameras at significant venues like the stadium offers detailed surveillance capabilities. "The 8K camera captures the entire area," Cornett stated. "We can zoom in for high-resolution images and integrate with other cameras to cover events completely, minimizing blind spots." The use of Hanwha Vision technology ensures safety and enhances operational efficiency across the University.
Going forward, the University of Kentucky security team plans to continue expanding their camera network to improve public safety and operational efficiency. Brown shared their commitment to community protection, "We’re giving our community a tangible sense of protection by demonstrating that safety is a priority, every day."
Managing the public safety concerns for a major university with an average daily population of roughly 60,000 is challenging enough. Add the needs of an on-site hospital and state-wide healthcare network, and the surveillance requirements can become burdensome, highlighting the importance of the right security infrastructure.
The University of Kentucky (UK) recently completed a campus-wide security system upgrade to Hanwha Vision cameras. The UK police and security team, including Police Chief Joseph Monroe, Deputy Chief Nathan Brown and Security Technology Group leader Stephen Cornett, oversees the surveillance infrastructure, covering security for the University, a major hospital and healthcare system (UK HealthCare, located on-campus and under the police department’s responsibility), and other UK Health hospitals and healthcare facilities across the state.
Right security infrastructure
Monroe described the University of Kentucky Police Department as a growing organization. “When I started 30 years ago, we had 35 officers,” he said. “Now we’re nearly 90, plus campus police, hospital police, crisis management teams, and a security technology group. But our mission hasn’t changed: provide a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, and staff to learn and work.”
UK’s previous surveillance system was a fragmented collection of more than 60 disparate, mostly analog, systems across various colleges and departments. This patchwork resulted in significant gaps in security coverage with no firm foundation for centralization or standardization. “Investigating an incident meant logging into multiple platforms,” said Brown. “It was slow and inefficient.”
Real-time information
Now, the school’s network boasts nearly 5,000 cameras, including Hanwha Vision’s advanced multi-sensor, 8K, and edge-based analytics models deployed across campus, remote sites, the football stadium, and classroom buildings.
The team also built a new Security Operations Center (SOC) to monitor and manage its new camera network. The SOC also uses the Fusus platform for real-time information sharing with city cameras and the City of Lexington’s Real-Time Crime Center.
Full situational awareness
“We can respond to incidents faster and more accurately,” Brown said. “We recently received a swatting call (a false report of a dangerous situation) claiming an active shooter in the library. Our operators pulled up live video immediately, saw normal activity, confirmed it was false, and adjusted our response procedures accordingly, still deploying officers but with full situational awareness.”
The University previously used single-sensor cameras, which limited their coverage and also required more labor-intensive configurations.
Multi-sensor cameras
“We could only cover a small area,” Cornett said. “To get full coverage, we’d need 10-plus cameras, which also meant multiple cable runs, licenses, and mounts. Now, with our new Hanwha Vision multi-sensor cameras, one device, one cable, and one license gives us 360° situational awareness, especially at building corners and hard-to-mount locations. It’s expanded our view dramatically.”
Brown added, “A single-image camera often loses context when a subject moves off-screen. The Hanwha Vision multi-sensor cameras provide 360° wide-area coverage from one unit, eliminating blind spots without relying on an operator. They deliver continuous, comprehensive visibility, critical for tracking incidents from start to finish.”
Metal detector lines
The University police and security teams can now also share video data with other departments, which has proven useful especially during sporting events and other large gatherings. They use the cameras’ onboard analytics to conduct people counting, object recognition to support operational efficiency, crowd management, and real-time oversight of metal detector lines.
On football gamedays, the University’s population doubles, which means the surveillance challenges increase accordingly. “That requires special event planning, more views of parking lots, and extended coverage beyond the stadium,” Monroe said.
High-resolution images
The team installed a Hanwha Vision 4K camera at the stadium, describing the improvements in coverage as a “game-changer.”
“The 8K camera captures the entire footprint,” Cornett said. “We can digitally zoom in on any incident and still get high-resolution images. We pair it with surrounding cameras to track suspects, identify perpetrators, and build a complete picture with no blind spots and no missed moments. It ensures patron safety, smooth operations, and the best possible fan experience during games, concerts, and events.”
Comprehensive public safety
The UK team plans to add more cameras as their security and surveillance requirements expand. They are confident that the Hanwha Vision camera network can easily scale with their needs, accomplishing their mission of comprehensive public safety and more efficient operations.
Brown said, “We’re giving our community a tangible sense of protection by demonstrating that safety is a priority, every day.”
