ADVANCING PUBLIC SAFETY
How Video Analytics Is Elevating Public Safety
Guardian Alarm Systems employs video analytics to assist in monitoring over 4,000 cameras from its central station, above, in Shreveport, La.
IMAGE COURTESY OF GUARDIAN ALARM SYSTEMS
Industry insiders explain how advanced video analytics technology is transforming central monitoring stations, enhancing public safety, and improving collaboration with law enforcement and emergency responders.
By Rodney Bosch, SDM Senior Editor
The integration of advanced video analytics tools is changing the way law enforcement and emergency response agencies operate. Technologies such as facial recognition, object detection and behavior analysis are no longer just futuristic concepts; they are now critical components in enhancing situational awareness and proactive threat detection.
Leading third-party central stations and forward-thinking installing security contractors that operate their own monitoring centers are at the forefront of this technological transformation. By leveraging video analytics, these monitoring providers can filter out false alarms, detect suspicious activities in real time and provide actionable intelligence to first responders. This not only improves response times but also allows for more efficient resource allocation and heightened overall security.
Moreover, the collaboration between central stations and law enforcement agencies showcases a new era of public safety where technology and human expertise converge. The imperative for the industry in making these advances come to fruition was expressed by John Mack, executive vice president, co-head of investment banking and head of M&A at Imperial Capital, during the recent PSA TEC where he was a featured panelist for the “State of the Industry” session.
“There are really groundbreaking changes going on in the interaction between public safety and private security. We as an industry have to solve this problem where we’re issuing lots of false alarms to PSAPs and emergency call centers,” he commented. “And there are a number of technologies and ideas for how we’re going to transform the security industry relationship with public safety.”
“The investment being funneled into AI technology far surpasses that of traditional intrusion systems. To illustrate, for every dollar spent on improving an intrusion system, the amount spent on AI development is likely 10,000 to 100,000 times more.”
— Wes Usie, Guardian Alarm Systems
Enhancing Response With Video Analytics
Guardian Alarm Systems has provided security and fire monitoring services for more than three decades from its headquarters in Shreveport, La. The company’s president, Wes Usie, highlights that a major challenge in the alarm monitoring industry is the high number of false alarms, mostly caused by user error. False alarms often result in unnecessary calls for service to law enforcement, leading to slow response times or, in some cases, no response at all.
“This issue arises because traditional alarm systems provide limited information to the central station, making it difficult for operators to ascertain the cause of the alarm,” he explains. “Without the ability to verify the situation with the end user, operators are left with no choice but to alert law enforcement, even when there isn’t a real emergency.”
Video analytics technology addresses this problem effectively, Usie continues, by providing real-time visual context to alarm signals, enabling more accurate assessments and improving communication with end users and public safety agencies. Think of cameras with video analytics such as intelligent motion detectors that can both filter out what is not important and trigger alerts for significant events, such as a person approaching a building, he explains.
“When this information is sent to our central station, an operator can now ‘see’ what is happening in real time. Additionally, the operator has the ability to audibly or visibly deter someone, enhancing the overall security and response effectiveness,” Usie says.
COPS Monitoring, Williamstown, N.J., leverages advanced video analytics technology to enhance its surveillance capabilities and bolster public safety efforts at its network of three UL-Listed, real-time load sharing monitoring stations. This technology minimizes false alarms, improves verification processes and enables proactive interventions when necessary, explains COPS Monitoring President Jim McMullen.
By offering improved situational awareness to both authorities and subscribers, video analytics ensure responders have a comprehensive understanding of the scene before they arrive, he says.
“This enhanced situational awareness helps authorities prioritize resources and responses, allowing law enforcement to allocate their efforts more efficiently and effectively. Video analytics also increases the potential for apprehensions and crime prevention by providing better details, real-time insights, and evidence,” McMullen explains. “Additionally, the visibility provided by these systems offers valuable information about the premises, contributing to overall better protection against additional threats such as fire, holdups, and other emergencies.”
Strengthening Public Safety With Tech Partnerships
Collaboration between central monitoring stations, law enforcement agencies and emergency responders is crucial for maximizing the benefits of video analytics technology in public safety initiatives. Sources say fostering these partnerships to enhance situational awareness and response effectiveness is paramount.
“Elite does this in several different ways,” says Scott Blakeman of Elite Interactive Solutions. “First, we have a Law Enforcement Advisory Board (LEAB) that is comprised of high-level law enforcement executives. The members of this board, along with Elite’s law enforcement liaison, reach out to local agencies to educate them about the advancements in our field. The education they provide supports law enforcement officers with their efficacy in apprehending criminals. It also significantly improves officer safety when responding to calls for service.”
Blakeman adds the LEAB assists the company’s command center in providing law enforcement video and reports related to crimes that have occurred. In many cases, he says, the evidence compiled by Elite has led to the arrest of violent felons.
“Staying involved with alarm industry organizations like The Monitoring Association (TMA) keeps us informed about the best practices and tools for leveraging video analytics technologies,” says Tammy Cozby of Everon. “Implementing Alarm Validation Scoring (AVS-01) standards in our monitoring center has also proven effective, especially when combined with video monitoring services.”
Cozby also says using analytics technology to generate tiered responses to zone violations helps deter trespassers without involving law enforcement resources.
COPS Monitoring also works closely with industry associations, law enforcement agencies, emergency responders and other stakeholders to leverage video analytics technology in support of public safety initiatives. This collaboration involves active participation in industry associations such as TMA, Security Industry Alarm Coalition (SIAC), Partnership for Priority Verified Alarm Response (PPVAR), and False Alarm Reduction Association (FARA).
“We support new initiatives like TMA-AVS-01, which aims to standardize video verification processes, and the Automated Secure Alarm Protocol (ASAP) to Public Safety Answering Points (PSAPs), enhancing the efficiency and accuracy of emergency responses,” says Jim McMullen of COPS Monitoring. “Regular education and training of our alarm dealers ensure they are well-informed about the latest advancements and best practices in video analytics technology.”
He emphasizes, “We maintain open lines of communication and feedback with these stakeholders to continuously improve and adapt our systems, ensuring that we meet evolving public safety needs and leverage technology to its fullest potential.”
Guardian Alarm Systems, despite being a small company with a 200-mile market radius, monitors over 4,000 cameras. Its collaboration with law enforcement started when a police captain, impressed by the company’s accuracy, initiated contact. This led to several meetings and visits from officers, including the chief of police, to observe Guardian Alarm Systems’ control room operations firsthand.
“Since that initial meeting, we’ve developed a strong working relationship with local law enforcement agencies, focusing on crime prevention,” Wes Usie of Guardian Alarm Systems explains. “One notable example of our collaboration is our involvement in addressing catalytic converter theft. Our company facilitated the first catalytic converter theft apprehension in our city, and since then, we’ve been instrumental in nearly 20 similar apprehensions. This success underscores how our video analytics technology provides a significant advantage over traditional intrusion systems, positioning us as a vital partner in enhancing public safety.”
On a broader scale, Usie says the industry is making significant strides in improving the accuracy and efficiency of information sharing with emergency communication centers (ECCs). To this end he cites TMA as greatly improving ASAP, a technology that enables any alarm central station to digitally dispatch into an ECC without needing to make a phone call. Additionally, using AVS-01 can prioritize calls for service based on threat levels, significantly enhancing the ability to provide accurate and timely information to responding agencies.
“This advancement, combined with our ongoing collaboration with local agencies, lays a solid foundation for delivering exceptional video monitoring services,” Usie says. “As the industry continues to innovate and integrate similar technologies, we are poised to play an increasingly critical role in supporting public safety initiatives and responding to the evolving needs of our community.”
Tools such as facial recognition, object detection and behavior analysis enable quick and accurate responses to potential threats, says Woodie Andrawos, president, NMC, Lake Forest, Calif. Advanced capabilities like these can help identify threats and alert authorities proactively, which is becoming more critical as users look to shift away from the reactive processes of the past, he says.
“Remote and proactive video monitoring are both growing segments that AI is powering, and we’re seeing a lot of interest from dealers and end users in deploying these options,” Andrawos says. “Also, video with two-way voice can gather audio and visual data to secure city facilities and perimeters, and provide access to live and recorded footage to ensure informed response.”
Los Angeles-based Elite Interactive Solutions, which bills itself as a specialist in real-time crime prevention, integrates advanced technologies such as custom-calibrated video analytics and AI. Supported by security operations command center (SOCC) agents and strong partnerships with law enforcement, Elite delivers security solutions tailored to enhance public safety, says Scott Blakeman, vice president of security solutions.
“Generally, we look for people and vehicles, as one or both are usually present when a crime occurs. With the addition of machine learning, the accuracy of our detection has further improved,” Blakeman explains. “The result is unmatched accuracy in detecting potential threats while filtering out innocuous events. The key, and Elite’s motto, is ‘Reduce the noise and never miss an event.’”
Transforming Incident Response
In exploring the impact of video analytics tools on public safety initiatives, use case examples illustrate how these technologies have transformed incident detection, accelerated response times and heightened overall effectiveness for law enforcement and emergency responders.
Everon, formerly ADT Commercial, uses an AI filter in the video monitoring portal to analyze an average of 255,000 camera motion alarms each month, says Tammy Cozby, vice president, monitoring operations, located in Arlington, Texas. The AI filter aids in reducing false alarm activity by 95 percent, allowing the company’s central station to respond effectively to confirmed events more quickly.
“Verified video aids in reducing response times, proper prioritization of alarm responses by local authorities, and provides visual descriptions to aid in identifying and apprehending suspects,” Cozby says.
Video analytics is proving vital for the security industry in maintaining strong collaboration and partnerships with law enforcement and ensuring effective emergency responses.
Jacob Wackerhausen/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
Improving incident detection and response is essential, and video analytics plays a key role, Andrawos says. “Video analytics offers in-depth insights into potential threats and promptly sends alerts when any suspicious activity is spotted,” he adds. “It provides valuable details about the number of individuals involved, their movements, and whether they are carrying anything suspicious. This critical information empowers law enforcement to assess situations and take necessary actions accurately.”
Elite’s SOCC is strictly event based. To be clear, Blakeman says, Elite agents are not watching multiplexers of video feeds. Instead, they are responding to events in real-time.
“The events are identified by analytics and machine learning and are based on many factors. It could be how long an individual is in a specific area. As an example, we may ask the system to only alert us to a vehicle in a parking area that is there longer than 10 seconds,” he explains.
This would eliminate the false positive of a car simply driving through an area but not committing a crime, Blakeman adds. Ultimately, this accuracy ensures when Elite agents engage law enforcement, they are calling them to an actual crime in progress.
“Elite’s agent is a first-person witness to this crime and will stay on the line with dispatch until police arrive,” Blakeman adds. “This not only enhances officer safety, as they are not walking into the unknown, but increases the likelihood of an arrest or detainment.”
Owning an alarm monitoring center, Usie has witnessed firsthand how video analytics has revolutionized security for his clients. Traditional alarm systems often fall short of customer expectations, as they rarely lead to the apprehension of intruders due to slow law enforcement response times. Customers buy these systems hoping to catch intruders, but without immediate police intervention, this rarely happens, he says.
“With intelligent camera systems, the situation changes dramatically. For instance, in a recent case our video analytics detected two intruders on a client’s property. The system’s ability to provide real-time, accurate information allowed our operators to immediately alert law enforcement with detailed descriptions,” Usie explains. “This level of detail led to a much faster and more forceful police response, as officers were prepared for multiple suspects, ensuring their safety and increasing the chances of apprehension.”
Usie also highlights how analytics technology alleviates the burden on law enforcement agencies, which are often understaffed. Catching criminals in the act with real-time video monitoring saves significant investigative resources.
“Instead of piecing together evidence from footage retrieved the next day, police can act immediately, leading to more successful arrests and prosecutions,” Usie continues. “This proactive approach is more efficient and cost-effective for law enforcement agencies.”
Future of Video Analytics in Public Safety
As video analytics technology continues to advance, central monitoring stations are poised to play an increasingly pivotal role in enhancing public safety. Thus, as the industry looks to the future, the impact of video analytics and AI on the security industry cannot be overstated, says Wes Usie of Guardian Alarm Systems.
“The investment being funneled into AI technology far surpasses that of traditional intrusion systems. To illustrate, for every dollar spent on improving an intrusion system, the amount spent on AI development is likely 10,000 to 100,000 times more,” he says. “This vast difference in investment underscores the belief that AI and video analytics will play a central role in shaping the future of security.”
Moreover, companies that embrace these technological advancements are well-positioned for substantial growth. The demand for advanced security solutions far exceeds the current supply, Usie says, creating a ripe opportunity for growth in the industry.
“Companies that can effectively integrate AI and video analytics into their offerings are likely to experience double-digit growth, capitalizing on this burgeoning demand,” he says.
Usie adds, “Such advancements will not only improve the efficiency and effectiveness of monitoring stations but also bolster public safety initiatives by providing law enforcement and emergency services with more precise and timely information.”
With the anticipated advancements to algorithms and machine learning significantly enhancing the accuracy and speed of data processing, Woodie Andrawos of NMC says these developments will further strengthen the role of central monitoring stations in enhancing public safety.
“Increased collaboration with law enforcement is expected as technology evolves, leading to more coordinated and effective responses,” he says. “Integrating AI technology will improve the speed and accuracy of alarm responses and reduce false alarms. AI-driven services like proactive video monitoring will enhance the ability to analyze security footage in real time, quickly identify suspicious behavior, and enable immediate intervention.”
The next wave of analytics has the ability to examine human behaviors, says Scott Blakeman of Elite Interactive Solutions. The technology can count people, detect direction of travel, indicate if someone is wearing a mask, etc.
“The adoption of LPR (license plate recognition) is also at the forefront,” Blakeman says. “Not only are police agencies using this technology to catch bad actors, the private sector is also able to track who has come to and left their property. This technology helps provide further details and information to law enforcement, enhancing their ability to identify and ultimately detain or arrest suspects.”
Further development of analytics may aid in identifying weapons, OSHA violations, heat/thermal abnormalities or temperature alerts, and improved performance when detecting activity in low-light areas or congested environments, suggests Tammy Cozby of Everon.
“Today, analytics can perform these tasks but still require live operators to vet accuracy,” she points out.
This evolution will enhance identification capabilities and increase adoption across sectors, facilitated by industry standards for seamless integration with first responders, explains Jim McMullen of COPS Monitoring.
“This will lead to fewer false alarms and better situational awareness, ultimately enhancing the prioritization of resources and response efforts,” McMullen adds. “The continuous improvement and integration of video analytics will empower monitoring stations to play a more proactive and pivotal role in supporting public safety initiatives, providing more reliable and actionable insights to ensure community safety and security.”
Challenges in Implementation
Implementing video analytics technology in monitoring centers comes with a unique set of challenges and considerations. These hurdles can range from the technical, operational and regulatory.
“The main challenge or consideration is camera placement and lighting,” Cozby says. “Obstructed views and poor lighting result in missed detection or incidents of false positives or excessive activity.”
McMullen explains implementing video analytics technology at COPS Monitoring stations poses several challenges and considerations. One of the main issues is managing false positives, which can result in unnecessary dispatches and reduced staffing efficiency. Standardizing the platform for dispatchers is another challenge, as various factors can impact response times and the effectiveness of the technology.
Security cameras equipped with video analytics provide real-time visual context, enabling faster and more accurate police response to potential threats.
Wengen Ling/iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
“It’s also crucial to align customer expectations with our service capabilities, ensuring that clients understand the limitations and strengths of their specific system,” he says. “Each situation we encounter is often unique, lacking the familiarity the customer has with their environment, which may make it difficult to make fully informed decisions quickly. Pricing can also present a challenge as alarm dealers and subscribers are accustomed to flat-rate monitoring fees. Because of the time, volume and other variables involved, monitoring video may be based on activity levels.”
It is essential to ensure the accuracy of AI in helping operators address risks and identify situations while minimizing false alerts, Andrawos says. Moreover, he says, it is vital for dealer partners to understand the value of AI and analytics and know how to maximize them to benefit their business.
“When it comes to RVM (remote video monitoring) services, we educate our dealers on what the services model means for their business model and how to support it,” Andrawos explains. “Balancing these considerations ensures the successful deployment and operation of video analytics technology.”
At Elite Interactive Solutions, all deployments begin with an initial discovery with the client and forensic site analysis, Blakeman explains. It is critical the company understand what the challenges are, how bad actors are able to gain access and, ultimately, then designing a customized solution using Elite’s methodology of the perimeter protection inward to stop crime.
“There is never a one-size-fits-all solution in our industry,” Blakeman adds. “To be truly effective, there must be a great deal of time and expertise expended to implement an optimally remotely monitored site.”
“This enhanced situational awareness helps authorities prioritize resources and responses, allowing law enforcement to allocate their efforts more efficiently and effectively. Video analytics also increases the potential for apprehensions and crime prevention by providing better details, real-time insights, and evidence.”
— Jim McMullen, COPS Monitoring
Although video monitoring has become easier with impressive image quality and highly accurate analytics at a reasonable cost, Usie says it hasn’t yet achieved the same level of simplicity and consistency as intrusion detection systems.
“Our station charges based on the time a monitoring agent spends observing a site,” Usie explains. “While this concept seems straightforward, it’s often misunderstood, particularly by sales teams. For instance, outdoor cameras can trigger events that require operators to spend more time monitoring than initially estimated.”
When scaling video monitoring systems, similar to intrusion systems, the time needed for sales, design, service and monitoring still requires better understanding and refinement, he adds.
“Despite these challenges, video monitoring is our fastest-growing service with excellent profit margins, so we are committed to developing this business segment further,” Usie says. MT
