Police Use High-Tech Surveillance at Festival
Lawrence, Kan., police used hidden-camera, thermal-imaging, and night-vision equipment at its recent Wakarusa Festival. The Government Security News journal reports that around $250,000 worth of such equipment was employed by police at the festival, enabling them to combat some drug-dealing activity that took place.
The equipment was provided by NS Microwave, which stated that it was able to cover 85 percent of the festival premises with around six cameras. The firm constructs “covert” cameras disguised as various objects, including electrical boxes and birdhouses. They are able to see at night so long as there is some means of light close by, such as fire or a lantern.
Four of NS Microwave’s cameras were continuously deployed during the festival, and a minimum of two others were there to be utilized as required, the company stated.
The computers were managed by a computerized command center in a trailer that was set up on a hill on the middle of some property in the park. NS Microwave provided the cameras to the festival for free in exchange for being allowed to provide a demonstration of its technology.
Abstracted by the National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center(NLECTC) from the Lawrence Journal-World (KS) (09/15/06); Weslander, Eric.
