SEN Weekly Wrap 005 – What Went On In Security This Week?
SEN Weekly Wrap 005 – At Dillwynia Correctional Centre a former police officer turned corrections officer sexually abused inmates over an extended period. As part of the enquiry, it was established that despite serial offending by the officer there was no CCTV footage of events.
This was in spite of the fact CCTV systems at NSW gaols should meet CSNSW’s ‘Electronic Security Systems Functional Performance Specification’. The upshot is that they obviously didn’t and it’s hard to imagine other facilicities aren’t also vulnerable.
The CNSW specification states that the objectives sought to be achieved by CCTV include ‘identifying and tracking individuals throughout the Centre to support an investigation or prosecution if required’, ‘post-event assessment and investigation’ and ‘provision of evidence and use as forensic evidence’.
But when giving evidence to the enquiry, Fergal Molloy, CSNSW business partner to infrastructure and assets manager of technical security, stated that having looked at materials indicating the location and number of CCTV cameras at Dillwynia, camera numbers were short by 400-500.
In SEN‘s opinion, even with multiple recent additions and bodyworn cameras implemented, CCTV coverage likely fails to reach the specification.
SEN Weekly Wrap 005
What does all this mean for security integrators working on electronic security solutions at correctional centres? It means more cameras, better quality cameras, body cameras and likely AI support for cameras as well.
Is there likely to be any impact interstate – probably. Gaols typically have very large camera counts but they are such complex applications that 1000 cameras could be nowhere near enough – especially in older sections where brownfield installation is hard.
It’s not all talk, either. There were recommendations that read as follows: “The CCTV coverage at Dillwynia should be brought up to the standard set out in the specification as an urgent priority. Regardless of whether it is required by the specification, CCTV cameras should be installed at Dillwynia in all offices where officers potentially meet alone with inmates and in corridors leading to such offices. Consideration should also be given to CCTV footage in all correctional centres being retained for a minimum of 90 days before being overwritten. Funding should be made available to implement these recommendations.”
During the week Jhim Adobo from DAS came by the SEN office to run us through installation and commissioning of the Tecom LE Plus access control and intrusion system. It’s always fun meeting other product people and we were impressed by how easily Jhim stood the panel up and got it connected to SEN’s network and smart devices. We can’t wait to start drilling holes in the SEN office walls.
Fortis Security has been selected as Genetec Partner of the Year in recognition of its dedication to excellence and innovative security applications. Meanwhile, Innov8tive Services has installed an access control, automation and CCTV solution for The Alba adjacent to Melbourne’s Albert Park.
SEN Weekly Wrap 005
On the technical front Z-Wave Alliance has released ZWLR (Z-Wave Long Range) with a focus on high-performance, increased scale, low power, increased device security, range, and device interoperability. The standard offers star topology, 4000-nodes, and 10-year battery life.
New products – Brivo has released the B-DS1-B door, a hardware-as-a-service reader/video device that reduces upfront costs. This all-in-one reader/video device requires a minimal monthly subscription and set up fee to activate. There’s a simple user enrolment process uses employee badge photo for facial authentication and no need to carry a credential or device.
Allegion has launched Schlage XE360 series wireless locks for multifamily applications. The XE360 Series integrates with Schlage Control mobile-enabled smart locks and features applications across the entire building, which allows multifamily operators to leverage a single access control and management solution without compromising security and design. Neat, too, the FleX Module board allows the XE360 Series locks to be easily upgraded in the field to allow migration from an offline to a networked solution.
On the business front Carrier, which has been in a process of reinventing its business, will sell its industrial fire business unit to Sentinel Capital Partners for $US1.425 billion. The move follows Carrier’s sale of its global access solutions business to Honeywell for nearly $5 billion and its commercial refrigeration business to Haier for $775 million. There’s 1 more business unit left to sell – Carrier’s combined commercial and residential fire businesses.
During the week Pro-Vigil found 71 per cent of American physical security solutions don’t use any AI at all, though a similar number of security people said they were happy using it.
Tenders – there are plenty – we’re not going to list them all. Mornington Peninsular wants access control, alarm, CCTV, alarm monitoring, patrols and security officer services for 229 buildings across the council area – we caught the link especially for readers of SEN’s Weekly Wrap.
Tauranga City Council wants a CCTV camera and equipment upgrade. It’s an interesting tender because Tauranga is a brand-agnostic application and its camera group includes devices from IDIS, i-PRO, Hanwha and TVT – link for that one here.
Still in NZ, Metlink in Wellington needs CCTV and audio installation and maintenance for the city’s public transport system. It sounds a great contract but the fact that council is highlighting the pride suppliers should feel to provide such services and deliver health and safety benefits to the good citizens of Wellington might be an indication kiwi security integrators should sharpen their pencils before clicking here. Pride might be nice but it doesn’t pay the bills.
In Western Australia, Kellerberrin police station needs CCTV and access control – there’s a site visit with this one on March 19. Site visits always seem like a filtration system to us – especially for out-of-town installers. Finally State of Queensland Technical Services needs a CCTV system.
You can check out the Q Tender details here or read more SEN news here.
Don’t forget to visit the Weekly Wrap a second time – we have more to add – and remember – only 2 months to go until SecTech Roadshow opens in Perth! Where did the time go?
“SEN Weekly Wrap 005 – What Went On In Security This Week?”
