How Police Departments Use Surveillance and Security During a Protest or Riot

How Police Departments Use Surveillance and Security During a Protest or Riot

The last 12 months have revealed the significant challenges law enforcement agencies face when a crowd gathers. The challenge is very real when a group of people gathers for any purpose—whether it’s a sporting event, a concert, or a protest.

Law enforcement is simultaneously tasked with keeping the public safe, ensuring their rights are respected, keeping themselves safe, keeping property safe, and trying to stop criminal behavior. Several police departments across North America have started utilizing LiveView Technologies security cameras in these situations.

What Makes LVT Unique for Law Enforcement?

1. Rapid deployment—LVT surveillance systems can be set up in just minutes. You don’t need to run wires, run electricity, or even have internet service. You simply place the camera trailer where you need them and set them up in minutes. That means if a crowd is gathering in a certain part of the city, you can immediately roll up with the trailer, unhook it, set it up, and be ready.
2. Customizable—You don’t know what you’re going to face when you get on the ground. Your needs vary. So LVT cameras are customizable too. All cameras record 24/7 and the video is streamed to the LVT Platform. You can have thermal sensors and even deterrent features like strobe lights, flashing blue lights, and custom audio deterrents like custom recordings. You can even have loudspeakers and use the speakers to give the crowd directions.
3. Completely mobile—The trailers can be hooked up and moved to new locations at will. It takes minutes.
4. Access anywhere—Because you can log in to the LVT Platform at anytime, you’ll be able to manage your video, manage alerts, see recordings, and even speak through the speakers.
5. Overt visual deterrence—By simply placing the LVT camera unit in high-traffic areas and in areas where a crowd is gathering, they are a deterrent for bad behavior. It simply lets the crowd know there is a police presence. These are not hidden cameras on a telephone pole or attached to a wall. These are camera units on trailers that clearly let the crowd they're in use.
6. Audio deterrence—Law enforcement agencies customize audio recordings warning the crowd to disperse, or simply giving them reminders. These messages alone cause better behavior. They can be recorded or they can be live. For example, if the crowd is approaching a building, and they start destroying property or vandalizing, you can use the speaker to warn them to stop immediately .
7. Evidentiary recording—In addition to all the amazing functionality, sensors, and flexibility of the LVT hardware, law enforcement agencies also use LVT to assist them in their investigations.  

Let Us Help

The bottom line is this: these cameras are designed to help law enforcement. Often the mere appearance of an LVT Unit will deter a crowd and deter unlawful behavior. Deterrence doesn’t work every time. So, when it doesn’t, you have the recordings to show what happened. The cameras can be moved, zoomed, tilted, and focused so you can clearly see what’s happening. Furthermore, LVT automated alerts and notifications can help you easily identify timecodes where criminal activity occurred.

Police officers have a challenging job. We can be your eye in the sky to help keep you and the public safe whenever a crowd gathers.