A look into technology to support effective community safety operations.
Introduction
Due to an increase in crime, neighborhoods have taken the initiative in organizing community safety on a sectored and suburb basis. This writing aims to identify technologies that can be implemented in order to facilitate and aid in more effective criminal countermeasures.
Background
Neighborhoods may have amongst themselves and in conjunction with authorities obtained radios, frequency bands and repeaters to empower themselves against criminals. Websites and workshops is not an uncommon facet of collaboration and training within such a community. URL links can be found at the end of this article.
Using only radios and web portals for community crime countermeasures may have some disadvantages, as indicated in the partial short list below
- Data corruption (verbal information are misinterpreted)
- Manual persistence of verbal radio communications(Incident book)
- Availability (collaboration software are not automatically updated real-time with information conveyed over the radios)
- Proof required for arrests and conviction of apprehended suspects.
Collaboration
Real-time audio/visual data collaboration between participants of such an organization is perhaps the single most important aspect for success, where an incident management system takes second place.
Listed below are additional measures that can be applied and thereafter discussed in detail.
- Website Portals (Mailing lists, Forums, Google groups).
- Cell phones (IRC, MXit, Chat rooms).
- Shared web cams.
- Number plate recognition.
- Data/TXT over RF.
- Incident management software.
- Automated recording of radio communications.
- Arrests and convictions.
- UAV Drones.
Website Portals
Web portals enable collaboration via inter alia forums, chat rooms, document repositories, mailing lists, newsletters etc. This is a good strategic starting point for any neighborhood watch, but should not be exclusively relied on as the only means of collaboration. This is due to the availability factor since not all community members may have timely access to the resource to prevent crimes.
Google groups are a free and effective means to collaborate depending on the requirement whether information should be hosted locally or on third party infrastructure.
Cell phones
Collaboration with cell phones increases the ability/availability of community members to react to incidents in the area. This is achieved via SMS/TXT mostly, and a backward compatible standard across all current cell phones on the market to date.
A circular message methodology has been implemented as alternative to costly SMS list message distribution. With this method a message is sent in series and/or reverse series. Imagine all the participants standing in a circle and the initiator sends a message to the person to the left and right, recipients of the message resend the message in the required direction.
More youngsters these days use chat features like MXit while such or similar (IRC) technology increase real-time communication, while the older generation is decidedly resistant to the learning curve required to operate said technologies.
Most cell phones have the ability to take video and pictures, and should be used in any and all opportunities. Cases has been known where imminent attacks have been prevented using cell phones (the criminals ran away) and where victims could take pictures of their attackers for later identification.
The above technologies proofs invaluable in the event where audio communication is not advised or downright dangerous.
Shared web cams
Having a sentry on guard to watch is inherently advantageous, while streaming multiple participants webcam images to a central accessible location considered optimal. Where bandwidth is not a problem, community members may point a webcam outward facing the street, driveway or property enabling the rest of the community to man the central web application when action is required.
It is advisable to use software that detects movement and to record these movements for later investigation when needed. Some cell phones by default can discern infrared if enough ambient lightning can be supplied. Where commercial bandwidth is at a premium the alternative of a wireless infrastructure by means of participation in a wireless user group can be considered.
The grand finale of this implementation on a webcam level is to modify the camera to infra red levels and compliment the setup with infrared led flood lightning for night time surveillance.
Number plate recognition
Open source and commercial applications exist that allows for the recognition of number pates. It is therefore within reach of the community to note (perhaps via webcams) the movement of stolen or otherwise suspicious vehicles.
Real-time distribution of these number plates is critical for the effort of observation, while additional car data for e.g. make and model requires manual processing.
Data/TXT over RF
Reusing and incorporating existing hardware leads to the investigation of audible or inaudible data transfer over the existing frequency band in use by the organization.
Two options for data processing would ideally be by connecting the radio to a cell phone and reading text messages of the phone. The other option requires a radio with built in screen to read or write messages on. Lastly although not as flexible as above is connecting the radio to a laptop/notebook and interacting with the messaging system as a computer user. Futuristic implementations of this method may allow the user to connect the radio to the car’s built-in computer, where the related software was previously installed into thr car.
Incident management software
Keeping track of incidents and reports within the radio network either requires the old school incident book or a web based software equivalent. The latter would be of value to the entire community if interfaced with the messaging system of choice in order to distribute information as it becomes available. Statistics is a definite advantage in a software based incident management system, using the statistical values available for reporting purposes makes strategic management of activities in the long and short term possible.
Correlation analysis should not be ignored. Historic reports from the community when analyzed using obvious or non-obvious analyses techniques may indicate suspicious activity to be used for planning purposes or legal reference. This cannot be achieved with radios alone.
Automated recording of radio communications.
Radios are not always at hand and recording broadcasts (in the absence of digital real time collaboration via other technologies) may be the only alternative to be aware of happenings while not physically present.
I the event of an emergency or post-emergency the recording taken of communication may be deemed invaluable. Sound analysis may also be applied to delve into background noises, especially when incoherent or incomplete broadcasts are received (may become a priority when very young children try to broadcast)
Arrests and convictions
All went well and a culprit has been chased, cornered, apprehended, ‘questioned’ and handed over to the authorities in good (or not so good) condition. In order to increase the chances of a conviction by the legal system supporting media may be of value.
This media may consist of any audio/visual multimedia or printouts from the incident management software if historic records exist.
UAV Drones
The eye in the sky on autopilot with day/night vision is neither science fiction nor a military secret any more. These machines have a huge global group of enthusiasts that develop, build and deploy them for recreational use, either for aerial photography or autonomous flight.
Bigger yet is the value because all research is shared and proclaimed open source. Previously inaccessible areas such as properties with dogs, high-rise flat windows and even dustbins (thermal camera required) where an eye is required to locate a suspect or to assess a situation, is now possible.
Legal
Local legislation should be researched when the abovementioned methods are investigated.
Conclusion
The ability of the community to utilize existing information systems to counteract crime is well within their reach. Being able to distribute incident information real-time and persisting it for historic purposes, is even more valuable. Education, workshops, sponsorship and motivation would be key in the streamlining of community safety operations.
Links
Opensource numberplate recognition software
Commercial UAV Drones
Informative Opensource UAV platform
Free Incident management software
Another Free Incident Manager
Infra red webcam modification
Another infra red camera modification
Ir led flood lights
More infra red flood lights
Community safety operations center portal template (available on request)
Pretoria wireless user group
Introduction
Due to an increase in crime, neighborhoods have taken the initiative in organizing community safety on a sectored and suburb basis. This writing aims to identify technologies that can be implemented in order to facilitate and aid in more effective criminal countermeasures.
Background
Neighborhoods may have amongst themselves and in conjunction with authorities obtained radios, frequency bands and repeaters to empower themselves against criminals. Websites and workshops is not an uncommon facet of collaboration and training within such a community. URL links can be found at the end of this article.
Using only radios and web portals for community crime countermeasures may have some disadvantages, as indicate in the partial short list below
• Data corruption (verbal information are misinterpreted)
• Manual persistence of verbal radio communications(Incident book)
• Availability (collaboration software are not automatically updated real-time with information conveyed over the radios)
• Proof required for arrests and conviction of apprehended suspects.Collaboration
Real-time audio/visual data collaboration between participants of such an organization is perhaps the single most important aspect for success, where an incident management system takes second place.
Listed below are additional measures that can be applied and thereafter discussed in detail
• Website Portals (Mailing lists, Forums, Google groups)
• Cell phones (IRC, MXit, Chat rooms)
• Shared web cams.
• Number plate recognition.
• Data/TXT over RF.
• Incident management software.
• Automated recording of radio communications.
• Arrests and convictions.
• UAV Drones.
Website Portals
Web portals enable collaboration via inter alia forums, chat rooms, document repositories, mailing lists, newsletters etc. This is a good strategic starting point for any neighborhood watch, but should not be exclusively relied on as the only means of collaboration. This is due to the availability factor since not all community members may have timely access to the resource to prevent crimes.
Google groups are a free and effective means to collaborate depending on the requirement whether information should be hosted locally or on third party infrastructure.
Cell phones
Collaboration with cell phones increases the ability/availability of community members to react to incidents in the area. This is achieved via SMS/TXT mostly, and a backward compatible standard across all current cell phones on the market to date.
A circular message methodology has been implemented as alternative to costly SMS list message distribution. With this method a message is sent in series and/or reverse series. Imagine all the participants standing in a circle and the initiator sends a message to the person to the left and right, recipients of the message resend the message in the required direction.
More youngsters these days use chat features like MXit while such or similar (IRC) technology increase real-time communication the older generation is decidedly resistant to the learning curve required to operate said technologies.
The above technologies proofs invaluable in the event where audio communication is not advised or downright dangerous.
Shared web cams
Having a sentry on guard to watch is inherently advantageous, while streaming multiple participants webcam images to a central accessible location considered optimal. Where bandwidth is not a problem, community members may point a webcam outward facing the street, driveway or property enabling the rest of the community to man the central web application when action is required.
It is advisable to use software that detects movement and to record these movements for later investigation when needed. Some cell phones by default can discern infrared if enough ambient lightning can be supplied.
It should be noted where commercial bandwidth is at a premium the alternative of a wireless infrastructure by means of participation in a wireless user group can be considered.
The grand finale of this implementation on a webcam level is to modify the camera to infra red levels and compliment the setup with infrared led flood lightning for night time surveillance.
Number plate recognition
Open source and commercial applications exist that allows for the recognition of number pates. It is therefore within reach of the community to note (perhaps via webcams) the movement of stolen or otherwise suspicious vehicles.
Real-time distribution of these number plates is critical for the effort of observation, while additional car data for e.g. make and model requires manual processing.
Data/TXT over RF
Reusing and incorporating existing hardware leads to the investigation of audible or inaudible data transfer over the existing frequency band in use by the organization.
Two options for data processing would ideally be connecting the radio to a cell phone and reading text messages of the phone. The other option requires a radio with built in screen to read or write messages on.
Lastly although not as flexible as above is connecting the radio to a laptop/notebook and interacting with the messaging system as a computer user.
Futuristic implementations of this method may allow the user to connect the radio to the car’s built-in computer, where the related software was previously installed on.
Incident management software
Keeping track of incidents and reports within the radio network either requires the old school incident book or a web based software equivalent. The latter would be of value to the entire community if interfaced with the messaging system of choice in order to distribute information as it becomes available.
Statistics is a definite advantage of a software based incident management system, using the statistical values available for reporting purposes making strategic management of activities in the long and short term possible.
Correlation analysis should not be ignored. Historic reports from the community when analyzed using obvious or non-obvious analyses techniques may indicate suspicious activity to be used for planning purposes or legal reference. This cannot be achieved with radios alone.
Automated recording of radio communications.
Radios are not always at hand and recording broadcasts (in the absence of digital real time collaboration via other technologies) may be the only alternative to be aware of happenings while not physically present.
I the event of an emergency or post-emergency the recording taken of communication may be deemed invaluable. Sound analysis may also be applied to delve into background noises, especially when incoherent or incomplete broadcasts are received (may become a priority when very young children try to broadcast)
Arrests and convictions
All went well and a culprit has been chased, cornered, apprehended, ‘questioned’ and handed over to the authorities in good (or not so good) condition. In order to increase the chances of a conviction by the legal system supporting media may be of value. This media may consist of any audio/visual multimedia or printouts from the incident management software if historic records exist.
UAV Drones
The eye in the sky on autopilot with day/night vision is neither science fiction nor a military secret any more. These machines have a huge global group of enthusiasts that develop, build and deploy them for recreational use, either for aerial photography or autonomous flight. Bigger yet is the value because all research is shared and proclaimed open source.
Previous inaccessible areas such as properties with dogs, high-rise flat windows and even dustbins (thermal camera required) where an eye is required to locate a suspect or to asses a situation, is now possible.
Conclusion
The ability of the community to utilize existing information systems to counteract crime is well within their reach. Being able to distribute incident information real-time and persisting it for historic purposes, is even more valuable. Education, workshops, sponsorship and motivation would be key in the streamlining of community safety operations.
Links
AI opensource numberplate recognition http://javaanpr.sourceforge.net/
Drones http://www.draganfly.com/
Incident management software http://www.oneorzero.com/
http://www.osticket.com/
http://www.accord5.com/trellis
Infra red web cam mod http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-ShrNzR-4c
http://hackaday.com/2005/03/14/make-an-infrared-webcam/
Ir led flood lights http://www.nextag.com/ir-flood/stores-html
http://www.candlepowerforums.com/vb/showthread.php?112718-Light-up-yard-with-infrared
Community safety operations center template available on request http://bs4.co.za http://ops4it.com/wprod/pages/posts/it-operations-support-the-community5.php
Pta wug http://www.ptawug.co.za/ Pretoria wireless user group
Tags: Arrests, Automated, Chat, Collaboration, Community, Drones, Incident, IRC, IT, management, MXit, Operations, Portal, Radios, RF, Safety, software, technology, UAV
