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PRESS RELEASES:
IBM Bolsters Police
Fleet with "In-Car" Digital Video Technology
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| Issue Date |
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15 May 2003 |
| Location |
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Armonk, NY |
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IBM announced that it will
build a digital video system for the Yakima Police Department cruiser
fleet, providing officers with the tools needed to capture video of
traffic stops and criminal activity in progress.
The announcement marks IBM's first contract to build an "in
car" digital video system for a law enforcement agency. But the
company is currently conducting digital video pilot projects with
seven metropolitan police departments across the country, indicating
the potential of this new market segment.
"The new system will enhance public safety by providing evidence
that will help convict lawbreakers," said Captain Jeff Schneider
of the Yakima Police Department. "It is an example of our
intention to implement leading-edge technology that benefits the
citizens of Yakima."
Installed in each of the department's 32 cruisers, the IBM "in
car" solution, based on Coban Technologies' Video Mobile Data
Terminal (VMDT), will collect data via digital video cameras mounted
in the cars as well as from audio microphones worn by the police
officers. The data will be fed to removable, ruggedized computer hard
drives in the vehicle.
At the end of an officer's shift, he or she will remove the hard
drive, bring it into police headquarters, and upload any recorded
evidence into a central data repository capable of storing 3.5
terabytes of data -- the equivalent of nearly 800,000 full-length
novels. The repository also uses Coban's Digital Video Management
System (DVMS) which is designed for flexibility and scalability to
serve police departments both large and small.
Digital video systems are far more flexible and effective than the
traditional police car video systems that are based on analog
(videotape) technology. Because analog systems must be activated
manually by the police officer, they often fail to capture images of
crimes in progress. By contrast, IBM's in-car digital video system
continuously records images and sound onto a 40 or 60 gigabyte hard
drive. When the officer turns on his overhead "pursuit"
lights, the previous four minutes of video and audio are saved and
recording continues until the officer turns off the system.
The IBM solution has other advantages:
Authentication enabled -- The system generates unique
authentication keys that discourage tampering with video files.
Data aggregated -- Video images are synchronized with other
relevant information, such as speed radar readings, Global Positioning
System data, vehicle telemetry, and lightbar activity.
Chain of custody protected -- At the start of a shift, an
officer will check out a hard drive from headquarters by scanning the
barcode on the disk into an on-site computer server. The officer will
also enter his or her ID number. The process is repeated at the end of
the shift. The system keeps a detailed log of hard drive custody.
Data retrieval improved -- Users can search massive video
databases and quickly retrieve precisely the video clip that's
required. Videos can be searched using any combination several
criteria, including officer ID, date, type of violation, location, and
motorist information.
"Shelf life" extended -- Digital video images
captured are DVD- or VCD-quality, much sharper than taped images and
theoretically can be stored indefinitely, while videotape deteriorates
over time.
"Digital video is an extremely promising and powerful technology
that benefits areas ranging from law enforcement to
entertainment," said Gail Whipple, vice president, global digital
media, IBM. "IBM is committed to developing the solutions that
bring this technology to the broad spectrum of our customers, in
government as well as the private sector.
"Law enforcement agencies constantly explore new technologies to
improve their effectiveness in the field, and are extremely stringent
when selecting new vendors," said Brian Chang PhD, Coban
President. "By working with IBM, Coban has been able to provide a
solution that will dramatically improve the way these agencies collect
and process important video evidence."
For the future, the Yakima Police Department plans to integrate the
video solution with its records management system, which contains
police reports and case information.
IBM Global Services
IBM Global Services is the world's largest information technology
services and consulting provider, generating over $36 billion in 2002.
Approximately 180,000 professionals serve customers in over 160
countries, providing the entire spectrum of customers' e-business
needs -- from the business transformation and industry expertise of
IBM Business Consulting Services to hosting, infrastructure,
technology design and training services. IBM Global Services delivers
integrated, flexible and resilient processes -- across companies and
through business partners -- that enable customers to maximize the
opportunities of an on-demand business environment.
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