Total Recall Corporation, a video-centric security technology provider specializing in surveillance solutions, has brought together nine state-of-the-art technology vendors to deliver an award-winning IP-based, digital video surveillance solution used by the U.S. Park Police, National Park Service (NPS) and the Department of Interior (DOI) to enhance public safety and improve operational efficiencies at the recently renovated Statue of Liberty National Monument and Liberty Island.
The high-profile project kicked off 2014 with a Government Security News Homeland Security Extraordinary Achievement in Public Safety and Security award after having received the 2013 Bronze STE Security Innovation Award from the Security Industry Association (SIA).
The Statue of Liberty reopened to the public on Independence Day, July 4, 2013, following eight months of renovation and repairs due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy. As part of the refurbishment, Total Recall reached out to the U.S. Park Police, NPS and DOI with a state-of-the-art surveillance system proposal that would be designed, installed and maintained as a donation by the company.
In preparation for the reopening, Total Recall redesigned the Statue’s surveillance and security system from top to bottom, including migrating from outdated analog CCTV to the latest in IP-based digital video technology, building an intelligent and ultra-modern command center to help the NPS and U.S. Park Police do their jobs more effectively and enabling the park to cover areas with video surveillance that they could not reach before, such as the security screening facilities.
“The National Park Service and Statue of Liberty National Monument greatly appreciate the comprehensive security system donated by Total Recall,” Capt. Gregory Norman, Commander of Liberty District, U.S. Park Police said.
“We are extremely honored to once again be part of the surveillance system design and installation at the Statue of Liberty,” said Jordan Heilweil, president, Total Recall Corporation. “We assembled a Dream Team of cutting-edge security technology providers to give her the best protection possible while helping the Park Police, Department of the Interior and National Park Service deliver a memorable experience for the millions of families who visit the Statue each year.”
IP-based technology and the system’s innovative design enables it to cover the entire perimeter of Liberty Island, as well as the park’s security screening facilities and all 393 steps from the main lobby to Lady Liberty’s crown. The technology will be used for the day-to-day safety and security of the park’s visitors while also helping the U.S. Park Police and NPS monitor traffic flow and expand people management to keep lines moving, assist ferry service operation, reconnect parents with misplaced children and effectively respond to any medical emergencies on the island or inside the Statue.
“All of our partners are proud to be part of this mission,” continued Heilweil. The partners selected by Total Recall for the Statue of Liberty’s new surveillance system include:
- Axis Communications to provide a mix of nearly 160 IP cameras with HDTV quality, exceptional nighttime performance, powerful zoom, reliability and discreet appearance;
- BriefCam for its unique Video Synopsis software solution that enables law enforcement and security personnel to review hours of surveillance video in minutes;
- DragonWave to supply multi-gigabit packet microwave radios, delivering carrier-class transport for mission critical public safety communications;
- Milestone Systems for its open platform IP video management software that integrates all components, enabling first responders to view live or recorded video, also using mobile devices;
- Pivot3 for reliable digital storage and compute devices specifically designed for the IP video industry;
- Proxim Wireless to deliver high capacity, wide area wireless broadband utilising WORP® technology in order to connect IP cameras in areas the previous system could not reach;
- RGB Spectrum for enabling multiple video feeds to be displayed on the massive video wall in the new command center using its MediaWall 2900 Display Processor;
- Scallop Imaging for perimeter security via its all solid-state M6-200 IP cameras with six megapixel, extreme low-light video and undistorted panoramic 200° FOV;
- Winsted Corporationfor ergonomically designed command center consoles that allow operators to be as efficient and comfortable as possible in a high-stress environment.
The current surveillance deployment marks the first time an all-digital surveillance system has been installed at the monument, which will allow the NPS to cover areas of the island that were previously unreachable with the old analog system, thanks to a mix of fiber and wireless connections. Total Recall designed and supervised the last major security system overhaul for the Statue of Liberty and Liberty Island in 1999, with the latest upgrade made in 2004.
Conditions for installing the new system were not easy, Heilweil continued, noting that the environment presented unique challenges even without the damage done by Hurricane Sandy. “The lack of electricity, flooding and damage caused by Sandy could not stop the amazing team from making sure that Lady Liberty could welcome visitors – as she always has.”
According to the National Parks of New York Harbor Conservancy, approximately 4 million people visit the Statue of Liberty National Monument and Ellis Island each year.
Total Recall will present the Statue of Liberty project at the upcoming ASIS New York City Security Conference and Expo, March 13-14, 2014 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York. Media enquiries welcome.
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