Hi-Tech Security System Targets Suspicious Characters "Before" Crime Occurs

January 10, 2007 11:15 a.m. EST

Richelle Putnam - All Headline News Staff Writer

Baltimore, MD (AHN) - Cernium Inc.'s new technology in video-surveillance systems provides information on suspicious behavior "before" the crime. This behavior-recognition software zones in on suspicious characters and warns the security staff.

John Hopkins University utilizes the security system at its Homewood campus. The results have been astounding, with bike thefts reduced from 25 in 2005 to three in 2006 and crime dropping 20 percent.

The system records such information as the following:

a. How the character moves

b. Whether the person is female or male

c. Whether the person is carrying anything

d. Whether what he/she is carrying appears to be heavy

e. Whether the person moving faster or slower than is typical

The system also alerts security to quickly gathering or dispersing crowds, too-fast or too-slow cars and objects left unattended.

Parking garages are taking advantage of the security system. In Yonkers, NY, a 40-camera system has been installed in the Buena Vista Parking Garage located downtown, and another is planned for the Government Center Garage.

The Pentagon and the Department of Homeland Security are interested as well, but in a slightly different way.

Research funded by Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) hopes to find similar video technology that can be used at safer distances to monitor potential terrorist activity.