Security Cameras PLUS

“It is to promote the security of the port and the region,” ports authority spokeswoman Shannon Moody said.

The project is in its preliminary stages, and it could be years before cameras are working, Moody said.

About half of the cameras will be mounted on existing structures, including bridges, while others will be positioned atop specially built towers, according to an advertisement for designers on a state purchasing website.

The ports authority is looking for a professional security firm to develop a concept for how the camera system would function. The designer must have experience in camera monitoring and surveillance systems as well as port security, according to the documents.

The Port of Wilmington has been awarded 15 port security grants worth more than $11 million since 2007 for projects such as a new command and control center, relocating the south gate, IT security, and security equipment and training, the ports authority said.

Article source: http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/12/30/1741213/cameras-coming-to-port.html

A delay in putting up security cameras at Pinole Valley High School has begun to anger some residents.

“There’s no higher priority than the safety of our community,” said Pinole Councilwoman Debbie Long. “The board has done their job and are relying upon staff to do theirs.”

The West Contra Costa school board approved $250,000 for the cameras in April.

The board called for staffers to “design, develop and install the cameras by the start of the 2011-12 school year.” But the project will not go out to bid before January, according to Bill Fay, associate superintendent for operations. .

Planning has taken longer than expected because the firm designing the surveillance system has been improving the original proposal by adding more cameras, Fay said.

“No one has dropped the ball. When you go from a concept to a design that can go out to bid, it just takes a while.”

Residents and town leaders have been demanding surveillance cameras for more than two years, citing security concerns at the school and throughout the district.

In 2010, an outsider came on campus and shot at a student at a Pinole Valley track meet.

Residents say bullying, drug dealing and fistfights are also growing concerns.

Pinole resident Cindy Trego worries that school administrators are stalling the surveillance system because the district plans to build a new campus for the school.

She has sent emails to Fay and other administrators

warning that school safety is a sensitive issue in Pinole that can’t wait for a new building.

“The longer that they delay, the more opportunity there is for incidents,” she said.

Residents note that the camera system installed at Richmond High School after a highly publicized gang rape of a student has reduced on-campus crimes.

Charles Ramsey, West Contra Costa school board president, does not know why the project has taken so long but said the blame lies with Fay and other school administrators.

“The board authorized it; they haven’t done it,” he said. “Welcome to the world of West Contra Costa as far as things being done on a timely basis.”

Residents have every right to be angry, he said.

Fay maintains that he is doing the job as fast as possible, but explained, “the last thing I want is to deploy a system that is not adequate.”

Long worries that the delay might leave the school district open to a lawsuit like the one that followed the rape at Richmond High, taking money away from student programs.

“This is bureaucracy at its finest — something so simple has been made so complicated.”

Contact Hannah Dreier at 510-262-2787. Follow her at Twitter.com/hannahdreier.

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Article source: http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_19605073

David Cheshire is running for sheriff of Lee County.

LEESBURG, Ga. — David Cheshire, who announced recently that he will challenge Lee County Sheriff Reggie Rachals for Rachals’ office during July 31 county elections, criticized the sheriff’s office Wednesday after the Lee County Commission paved the way for approval of an almost $46,000 security system at the Lee County Jail.

Cheshire said LSO’s refusal to use “proper procedure” resulted in a “$17,000 loss to the county’s taxpayers.”

The candidate’s comments came in response to Jail Administrator Maj. Sandra Pressley-Fordham and Assistant Administrator Capt. Jennifer Dunbar’s request for $45,852 to replace the “antiquated” security camera system at the jail during the commission’s Dec. 13 meeting. Rachals later told The Herald he’d been contacted by other vendors offering to do the job for less, but he wanted to make sure the vendors were “comparing apples and apples.”

Former LSO Deputy Chris Anderson, who is supporting Cheshire’s bid for sheriff, said Rachals should have “brought those apples on the table.”

“If he’d done this properly,” Anderson, who was fired by Rachals when the Lee sheriff took office, said, “there would be no complaints. He should have brought those apples to the table to start with.”

Cheshire said a vendor who had approached Rachals about installing a security system after Safe Security Inc. was approved for the job indicated he’d offered additional features for a price “around $29,000.”

“This is not something I heard somewhere,” Cheshire said. “I talked with the guy who made the (second) bid. He said his proposal included five more cameras (than in Safe Security’s proposal) and audio, which you would think they’d want. But his bid was turned down.

“I’m not saying anyone can foresee that they might go over budget with an item, but if they do you’d think they’d try to save as much money as possible. If I’m a citizen and I read something like this, I’d think it’s favoritism instead of doing things the right way, the ethical way.”

At a special called meeting Wednesday to discuss the jail security system and other items, Commissioner Bill Williams said he had sent LSO Chief Deputy Lewis Harris copies of the department’s proposed budget worksheet that indicated the sheriff had requested $8,000 on his budget proposal for a camera system upgrade.

Williams had told Pressley-Fordham and Dunbar “you really caught us off-guard” with the $45,852 request and asked them to do a better job of providing accurate budget requests in the future.

Harris defended the pair by telling Williams he’d asked for $60,000 for a security system at the sheriff’s office’s budget hearing. Williams told Harris he’d send him a copy of the request form, but Harris said he’d rather have “minutes from that meeting.”

In an email to Harris, which included the budget worksheet with an $8,000 line item for “capital renovations,” Williams wrote, “You can see that this item was for ‘upgrade camera system’ and that $8,000 was both ‘requested’ and ‘approved.’ Neither the Budget Committee (n)or the Board of Commissioners ‘cut’ your budget request as you stated last night. We gave you exactly what was requested and no ‘cuts’ were made for this item.”

Harris said Wednesday the $8,000 line item was inserted by Williams, not by the sheriff’s office.

“During the budget meeting, during my opening statement, I explained that part of my job as chief deputy was to protect the sheriff and the county commission,” Harris said. “I said there were two things that were badly needed: security at the courthouse and a camera system at the jail. We had gotten some prices on a new system, and one of them was for $60,000. I mentioned that during our hearing.

“There was no real discussion at that hearing. The commission — actually Bill Williams — just told us ‘You will get this amount’ on every item. Even when I warned them about liability, he put the figure $8,000 in that line item.”

Harris said the sheriff’s office requested funds from impact fees to pay for the camera system.

“After talking with (county administrator) Mr. (Tony) Massey, we understood that there would be no problem getting the $45,000 for the camera system,” the chief deputy said. “When Commissioner Williams made that statement about catching the board off guard, he was putting Maj. Fordham and Capt. Dunbar on the spot. He knew they weren’t at the budget hearing.

“I was simply standing up for my people when I told him I’d like to see minutes from that hearing. Of course, there were no minutes because they didn’t record the meeting. That’s something that should be done.”

Williams refuted Harris’ claim that he put the $8,000 figure on the budget worksheet.

“I don’t know where he got that from,” the commission’s Finance Committee chairman said. “The department heads submit their budget requests to our finance director, and she puts exactly what they request onto the worksheets. There’s no changing their requests.”

An email from Finance Director Heather Kittrell to LSO Maj. Dennis Parker, sent March 14, requested a breakdown of the “other capital equipment” line item, noting there was $20,000 requested for the sheriff’s department and $8,000 for the jail.

Parker replied, “The jail capital renovations will be used to upgrade camera system. The figure is a conservative estimate at this time due to the cost is unknown at this time.”

Article source: http://www.albanyherald.com/news/2011/dec/21/lee-candidate-challenges-price-security-cameras/

New Delhi: The city’s soaring crime rate has compelled Delhiites to run for security cover.

Balvinder Singh, a Dwarka resident, said: “I work for a multinational company and since my wife also works, we leave our three-year-old son in the care of the domestic help. One day, it was after a chance encounter with some men who were let into the house by our maid in our absence that I decided to take things seriously.”

He dismissed the maid and approached a security agency.

“I had CCTV cameras installed in our living room, bedroom and kitchen so we know the new maid is not inviting anyone into the house without our consent. Also, since she knows she is under surveillance, the child is being treated properly and not neglected,” Singh said.

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Shashank Agarwal, director, operations, Target Vision Security Systems, said: “In simple terms, electronic surveillance is done by installing CCTV cameras at various locations where close scrutiny is needed. But specifically, surveillance is done through various modes like internet-based solutions enabling one to monitor premises from a mobile phone or a laptop that can be carried anywhere.”

Turbo Consultancy and Aditya Infotech are other such agencies that acknowledged the need for people to treat security as a prime concern. A Turbo Consultancy official said: “The discerning buyers wish for the latest electronic gizmos where at the flick of a button they can be in control of the entire household. But people who cannot keep a security guard in apartments are going in for door alarm alerts… in case of a forced entry to the house, the alarm alerts the security personnel at the gate. Simultaneously, an SMS alerts the owner.”

Article source: http://gulfnews.com/news/world/india/delhiites-rush-to-buy-hi-tech-security-systems-for-homes-1.956512

A woman falls down the gap at Barnsley station Link to this video

As public information campaigns go, this one seemed a cracker. Travelling while you’re drunk is dangerous; and to make the point in the runup to Christmas, British Transport police have released CCTV images of a drunken passenger falling under a train as she staggers off it.

Thankfully, the woman in the film is fine, because someone saw her fall and the train was delayed while she was hauled from under it. But seeing those images makes me furious, because despite what Network Rail might like us to believe, you don’t have to be drunk to fall under a train. According to the staff at my local station, Clapham Junction in south-west London, it happens to entirely sober passengers on a regular basis, because of ever-bigger gaps between platforms and trains.

I know this is true, because over the last three years my daughters, who travel to secondary school through Clapham Junction, have twice told me about incidents in which friends of theirs fell on to the tracks. Both times, as with the drunk woman in the British Transport police video, the trains were delayed while the girls were rescued.

More recently my husband, who also commutes through Clapham Junction, was about to board a train on his way to work when a female passenger just ahead of him did exactly the same as the woman in the video: she lost her footing and disappeared on to the tracks. He pulled her out, and then helped her on to the train; although shaken, she made an “announcement” to the passengers in the carriage that my husband had just saved her life.

So my point is this: it’s fine for the British Transport police to make us aware of the dangers of being drunk, but why aren’t they – and Network Rail, whose responsibility this is – doing more to make their platforms safer? At the moment, all they have are some chipped and faded and barely visible signs telling you to “mind the gap”, and an occasional warning announcement.

But of course it’s much easier to blame drunken passengers than to look at your own shortcomings. So to help Network Rail out, I’ve been down to Clapham Junction with a measuring tape. I stood on Platform 15, the platform my children use each day, and I measured the gap between platform and train on six departures over a 10-minute period. The biggest gap I measured was 51cm on the 15:11 train to Sutton; the smallest gap I measured was 46cm on the 14:54 train to Epsom.

Every one of the gaps I saw was easily big enough for a passenger, especially a child-sized one, to fall through and on to the track. Twice I helped passengers who were struggling to get on to the train safely; one was an older woman with a suitcase who was unable to lift it across the gap on to the train, and the other was a woman with a toddler and a pushchair. She needed both hands (and another passenger’s help) to lug the pushchair on to the train, and the only way she could do it was to leave hold of her toddler’s hand, leaving him at risk of falling on to the track.

Does Network Rail care about these dangers? According to the platform staff this afternoon, the problem is that the platforms weren’t built for modern trains, and improving them to reduce the gap would cost too much. I wonder whether that’s what they’ll be saying when the day comes when a child falls on to the track and dies? I suspect not; because on that day, we’ll all agree that any amount of money is worth spending to keep our children safe.

So listen up, Network Rail. Those are my daughters and their friends who are falling on to your tracks. If I’m angry now, I’ll be incandescent on the day that accident happens. And it will. That’s what station staff told me today: because higher passenger numbers (which you have) mean more platform crowding and more accidents.

So instead of shocking us with pictures of drunks, start thinking about how to keep my children and all your other passengers safe. And please, do it now.

Article source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/dec/22/mind-the-gap-drunk-fall-under-train

CALGARY, AB, CANADA, December 30, 2011 /Stanford Who’s Who / — Mark McMillen has been accepted among the prestigious ranks of Stanford Who’s Who as a result of his remarkable work in the field of Security Systems. Working in Security System Sales with Genesis Integration Inc., as well as throughout his brilliant professional career, Mr. McMillen has routinely exhibited the passion, vision and dedication to be successful in the business world.

Genesis Integration Inc. is one of Canada’s leading full service low-voltage systems integration companies. The company offers a diverse mix of products and services under one roof, setting the standard for innovative integrated systems solutions. They offer a complete range of design/build, consulting, and installation services, including performance-related sound reinforcement, broadcast video production, video projection, video conferencing, data networks, nurse call, security, CCTV, card access, paging, systems-control software design, and fully integrated multimedia network solutions.

Mark possesses extensive expertise as a system specialist in security systems. He is an innovative and successful sales leader as well as a motivational presenter and effective sales trainer who provides quality customer care and service. Recent projects include CCTV design consultant for Northern Alberta Heavy Oil Project; Security Systems integrator at Telus Spark, Calgary and CCTV and access integrator for CF Chinook Centre, Calgary. While working with Unicorn Consulting Group, Mark worked throughout North America and beyond on projects like the Jean and Peter Lougheed Media Complex at the Banff Centre, Studio design and setup at the Olympic Winter Games, CCTV system design at Universities and casinos as well as transmitter maintenance.  Upcoming projects include Costa Rica and Pacific Blue.

During Mr. McMillen’s collegiate career, he studied at the University of Calgary, Forestry at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Criminal Law at Mount Royal College and Broadcast Engineering (BXT) at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology. Mark has been a Journeyman Electrician for the past 36 years and gained a Certificate of Merit in Theater Design. Mark is the current Vice-President I of the Calgary chapter for CANASA (Canadian Security Association).

To view more information on Mark McMillen click here

You can visit the Genesis Integration Inc. website here

Article source: http://www.ibtimes.com/prnews/20111230/mark-mcmillen-stanford-whos-who.htm

CCTV cameras in North East Lincolnshire are helping to curb anti-social behaviour and catch crooks in the act.

Footage from cameras in Grimsby town centre helped secure the convictions of three yobs who attacked innocent passers-by.

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Nathan Darwood, Michael Nielsen and a juvenile, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were locked up after admitting violent disorder in the town centre.

The Grimsby Telegraph’s In the Frame campaign has also secured convictions of thugs and shoplifters after we printed CCTV stills of people who are wanted in connection with crimes.

There are currently 147 CCTV cameras operating in the borough, many of which are in the process of being replaced with digital technology.

New cameras have already been installed in Grimsby town centre and are currently controlled from a hub at North East Lincolnshire Council’s Doughty Road depot – although council bosses are assessing where a new control room could be located.

Councillor Dave Bolton, portfolio holder for community safety and neighbourhoods, said: “CCTV systems play a vital role in reducing both the fear of crime and instances of crime.

“They support the work of our wardens, neighbourhood policing teams and the Street Angel crews who are based in Cleethorpes helping revellers on Friday and Saturday nights.

“The also support our businesses and housing agencies and the images they capture are crucial in helping to bring offenders to account.”

The first CCTV cameras were installed in the borough in August 1995, at a cost of £120,000, and – although only intended to be operational for five years – many have now been keeping a watchful eye on the citizens of North East Lincolnshire for more than 17 years.

The new system is digital and has a recording system that can be retrieved quickly – bringing an end to the current labour-intensive searches, which mean it can take up to four hours to find a 30-second clip.

The £430,000 camera replacement scheme has been funded by £330,000 from the council and £100,000 from its partner, Balfour Beatty.

The new project will also integrate independent CCTV schemes in Waltham and Immingham into the network, at a cost of £80,000.

Councillor Bolton added: “Over the past year we have increased the number of cameras that the council’s control staff have access to and all images now come in to one central office.

“The police now have direct access to the system, which has improved the efficiency.

“We will continue to work with our partners during 2012 to ensure that we take the appropriate action with the evidence this new digital recording system presents.”

A spokesman for Humberside Police said CCTV can be a great deterrent for criminals and also provides the local authorities with a chance to see how an incident unfolded after it has happened.

He added: “As an example, shop theft can be a very difficult problem to tackle as the offenders can range from well-known local criminals to those turning to crime for the first time.

“These first-time offenders are often not known to security staff or police so the need to seek a wider audience to help identify those involved becomes vital. Thanks to CCTV images captured, for example, we are able to work alongside the Grimsby Telegraph on features such as In The Frame in order to ask for the publics help in identifying such individuals.

“In The Frame continues to be a success and has resulted in the arrest of several repeat offenders since it first began.”

Article source: http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/CCTV-vital-cutting-crime/story-14269143-detail/story.html

The woman is shown on CCTV stepping off a train, stumbling backwards and falling on the railroads in-between the train and the platform.

She escaped with only cuts and bruises after being quickly helped from the track.

British Transport Police said it hoped releasing the footage of the incident at Barnsley station earlier this year would encourage rail customers to take care of themselves over Christmas and the new year.

The unnamed woman slumps against the side of the train at Barnsley station (Pic: Ross Parry)

Inspector Graham Bridges said: ‘Had it not been for the alertness of other passengers who helped her, we could have been dealing with potentially serious injuries.’

BTP is increasing patrols by officers at stations over the Christmas and new year period.

After stumbling backwards, the woman then falls between the platform and the train (Pic: Ross Parry)

Insp Bridges added: ‘We understand that at this time of year, with Christmas fast approaching, people will be out at parties and will be consuming alcohol.’

However, he warned officers would not hesitate to take action against those committing crimes or anti- social behaviour and that CCTV systems across the network would be used to manage incidents.

Video:
Watch the CCTV footage of the incident released by BTP:

Article source: http://www.metro.co.uk/news/885595-drunk-partygoers-narrow-escape-under-train-used-as-christmas-warning