Location: City of Allentown, PA

Project: Video Surveillance System

The Challenge: Several Allentown neighborhoods were experiencing above city average incidents of burglaries, vandalism, narcotics trafficking and assaults. These crimes were driving down the quality of life for the residents and merchants in these areas, while stretching the finite resources of the Allentown Police Department to the limit.

The CSI Solution: A wireless surveillance system, consisting of cameras installed strategically in locations throughout the city. Fulfilling the need for a full‐time law enforcement presence in these high‐crime areas, the solution would serve as both a crime deterrent and as an investigation aid.

The Project: CSI created the Hyperion, a wireless surveillance system that combined high-definition day/night cameras and directional wireless panel antennas for video backhaul in a weather-proof, thermostat-controlled enclosure. The camera was bottom-mounted for maximum coverage and enclosed in a vandal-resistant dome. Some of cameras where mounted with a blue "awareness light" to draw attention to their presence. All of the cameras were connected to a central monitoring station located in police headquarters. The system was launched in October of 2007.

The Result: Upon the activation of the first phase of the system, the city observes a reduction in crime, meeting the objective of the initiative. Police witness and interrupt crimes in progress and are also able to use footage obtained from the cameras as evidence in making arrests and to refute claims of tampering or other alleged misconduct during arrests. In the years following the launch, additional cameras placed in other Allentown neighborhoods provide similar positive results.

“The system has paid tremendous dividends. The cameras continue to be an effective evidence tool. There have been numerous incidents where the cameras detect criminal activity long before a 911 call is placed. CSI understands the needs of government and law enforcement. They have been a great partner in developing and deploying technical solutions in public safety.” Read Testimonial