Little League Baseball aims a home run on surveillance

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, USA: Allied Telesis, a provider of secure IP/Ethernet switching solutions, has teamed again this year with Axis Communications, Firetide Inc. and Lenel Systems International Inc. to contribute an end-to-end IP video surveillance solution that, as stated, will play a critical role in keeping the 2013 Little League Baseball World Series players and more than 400,000 expected spectators safe during the ten-day event, Aug 15-25.

The Little League Baseball World Series, the announcement explained, evolves and improves upon its security each year by leveraging state-of-the-art technologies. This year, Allied Telesis is contributing the backbone of the wired network with nine of its GS950 Gigabit WebSmart Switches driving complementary solutions that include Lenel's access control and a mix of more than 30 Axis Communications IP-based digital surveillance cameras. Firetide is supplying 13 outdoor HotPort 7020 mesh nodes to connect a network of multiple IP cameras that cover the vast majority of the 79-acre baseball complex and surrounding areas, delivering high-definition video surveillance.

"The annual Little League Baseball World Series draws teams and families from around the globe, as well as high-profile spectators, like heads of state and international dignitaries. Our top priority is keeping everyone safe and that requires a massive coordinated effort involving local, state and federal law enforcement," said Jim Ferguson, director of security for Little League Baseball and Softball. "The technology solution provided by Allied Telesis, Axis, Firetide and Lenel is a critical part of that coordinated effort and enables us to provide our joint security forces with the high-performance IP video surveillance solution they need to ensure a safe, fun experience for all the players and fans."

It is further elaborated how given the short duration of the event, simplicity in configuring and deploying the IP surveillance network, as well as ease of use, are paramount, as the entire network must be configured and deployed in just a few hours.

The video surveillance network and cameras will be in open public view, providing a subtle yet authoritative presence that is critical for preventing crimes and maintaining crowd control. The video security network was designed and installed by Lenel Systems International, a Rochester, NY-based provider of advanced turnkey security systems that has contributed their products and services to the Little League Baseball World Series event for the past 15 years.

In addition to the fixed camera locations, motorized mobile security vehicles will be outfitted with Firetide wireless mesh nodes, effectively turning them into roaming hot spots that provide network access to security forces roaming the grounds via portable devices such as laptops, smartphones and iPads. The roaming capability increases the overall coverage area of the video network, and provides security officers with live visibility even as they are approaching a scene.

Little League Baseball security officers will have the ability to access the video network and control each camera from a centralized location, enabling them to help locate lost individuals, detect people approaching secured areas, track suspicious items, monitor public parking lots, count crowd size, and provide an overall sense of security for the players and attendees.

Additionally, the wireless network now enables Little League Baseball safety and security personnel to monitor the highway adjacent to the facility, protecting family and fans as they cross the street to attend a game.