How Can Government Agencies Use Solar Surveillance Trailers?

How Do Government Agencies UItilize Solar Surveillance Trailers?

The utilization of mobile solar surveillance trailers by government agencies has increased dramatically in recent years as an ever-developing variety of use cases for these unique security solutions emerges.

The flexibility of these units allows them to be deployed for a wide range of public safety, security, and emergency management scenarios. They have become an established supplement to other physical security methods and can operate in areas where traditional security cameras cannot.

Whether securing critical infrastructure, responding to a natural disaster, increasing public safety within neighborhoods, or protecting business districts, solar surveillance trailers offer unmatched deployment versatility.

Below, we provide a detailed overview of the benefits of mobile solar surveillance trailers for government agencies and the most common use cases for these systems.

What are the Benefits of Mobile Solar Surveillance Trailers for Government Agencies?

There are multiple benefits associated with the use of mobile solar surveillance surveillance trailers.

Their convenience, cost-effectiveness, and reliability have made them the preferred surveillance solution for multiple industries looking to boost security.

But which of their benefits are most relevant to government applications, and why have these systems become so popular?

Rapid Deployment and Relocation 

One of the most popular benefits of mobile solar surveillance trailers is the ability to rapidly deploy a unit without the need for any specialized installation equipment, knowledge, or training.

In a scenario where an Emergency Management team, for example, is responding to a developing situation, a solar trailer can increase its situational awareness within minutes.

Because of this benefit, Emergency Management teams across Texas utilize surveillance trailers to provide temporary security following natural disasters, where traditional security cameras have been affected by power or internet loss.

Of equal benefit is the ability to relocate a trailer once its purpose has been served or if alternative priorities emerge.

An example of this benefit in action comes from the City of York Police Department, which has deployed surveillance trailers to target high-crime zones, specifically stating that they will relocate the units as crime moves. 

By following crime patterns and deploying units to affected areas, they aim to create an environment hostile to criminals and drive down net crime.

Deployment Autonomy

Mobile solar surveillance trailers offer reliable off-grid powering, which means they can be deployed to practically any location regardless of whether it has established power and internet facilities.

This removes the traditional limitations associated with fixed security camera deployments and increases the number of places that can benefit from video surveillance.

In addition to power autonomy, certain surveillance trailers provide video streaming via cellular connectivity, which removes all of the physical restrictions and allows for entirely autonomous deployments. 

This standalone operation is a particular advantage for government agencies looking to secure critical infrastructure locations such as energy facilities, water plants, transportation hubs, and military bases without the need for complex security camera installations.

Live Video and Evidence Gathering

Solar Surveillance Trailers fitted with the latest surveillance camera technology provide government agencies with high-quality footage for enhanced situational awareness and evidence gathering.

The utilization of high-definition surveillance cameras, combined with the night vision capabilities provided by infrared cameras, helps increase detection rates by 20-30%. 

This video footage can typically be streamed live via a desktop software platform and/or mobile app, and archived footage can be downloaded on demand. 

Integration Capabilities

Government agencies may already have an established surveillance camera or security technology network in place. 

The purchase and deployment of this network have likely come at a significant cost, and many will not be willing to switch to an entirely new platform to accommodate the benefit of having a mobile solar surveillance trailer. 

Fortunately, certain surveillance trailers seamlessly integrate into existing video management platforms and work alongside existing security cameras.

The City of Dallas demonstrated this integration pathway by adopting mobile surveillance cameras as part of its overall surveillance network.

AI-Video Analytics

Market-leading mobile solar surveillance trailers will be equipped with cameras that contain embedded video analytics technology, which assists with automated detection and classification of criminal activity.

This is particularly helpful when looking to secure critical infrastructure or monitor activity at border crossings.

Any automated alerts triggered by the video analytics software can be used to initiate a range of remote crime prevention protocols, such as trigger lights, sirens, and live audio announcements.

Customization

When it comes to video surveillance applications, finding a one-size-fits-all solution is close to impossible.

Luckily, mobile surveillance trailers are often fully customizable solutions that can be tailored to specific requirements. 

Additional enhancements that can be bolted to surveillance trailers include:

• Multiple camera arrays - multi-cams, ptz, fixed, thermal, and more
• LPR (license plate) cameras
• Custom solar panel sizes for different territories

No matter what or where your surveillance requirement is, a custom solar trailer system is often the most effective solution.

Where Can Government Agencies Use Solar Surveillance Trailers?

Perhaps a better question to pose would be, 'where can't government agencies use solar surveillance trailers?' 

The flexibility provided by solar surveillance trailers means they can be deployed into practically any government-led safety and security initiave.

We outline the typical use cases we have encountered in our over twenty years of experience working with government teams.

Critical Infrastructure

Solar surveillance trailers provide unrivaled security at critical infrastructure locations, primarily due to their unmistakable security presence, ability to operate off-grid, and ease of deployment. 

These benefits allow government agencies to respond quickly to emerging threats or security needs without the constraints of time-consuming and costly fixed installations.

The autonomous operation provided by the unit's solar powering and cellular video transmission allows them to operate even in remote areas where traditional power and internet sources may be unavailable or unreliable. 

This is particularly beneficial for agencies looking to monitor infrastructure in isolated locations, such as remote pipelines or rural power substations.

The additional security features they contain, such as video analytics, infrared imagery, and audio address systems, also make them a proactive and cost-effective alternative to using security guards.

For example, Harlingen Waterworks System has utilized mobile surveillance trailers to secure critical facilities, reducing their requirement to have manned facilities or conduct multiple site visits to ensure security.

Emergency Response

In the aftermath of natural disasters or large-scale emergencies, mobile solar surveillance trailers can be quickly deployed to affected areas, providing immediate situational awareness and additional security.

By operating independently of power and internet connectivity, they can provide continuous monitoring even when local power grids are compromised, helping to maintain the critical communication and coordination required amongst emergency response teams during these times.

The real-time, high-quality video provided by surveillance trailers allows emergency managers to track ongoing hazards and identify areas that require urgent attention.

Additionally, solar surveillance trailers can be utilized to monitor businesses affected by power outages, protecting them from theft and/or looting that may occur in the direct aftermath of a disaster.

Public Events

Major public events provide multiple fast-moving safety and security challenges that are often best resolved by a technology-based solution.

Solar surveillance trailers can be strategically placed around event venues, providing comprehensive coverage and allowing security personnel to monitor crowd activities from multiple vantage points.

The increased awareness provided by well-placed surveillance trailers allows for the early detection and prevention of incidents and emergencies, increasing the safety of all attendees.

Additionally, solar surveillance trailers present a highly visible security presence that serves to deter potential criminal activity and remove the potential for opportunist acts of theft or violence.

The City of Porth Amboy has seen significant benefits from deploying solar surveillance trailers at major events and then redeploying the trailers elsewhere once the events have concluded.

Transportation Hubs

Airports, train stations, and bus terminals can all benefit from deploying solar surveillance trailers to assist with security and monitoring applications.

Mobile solar surveillance trailers can be utilized in these zones to provide coverage of entrances, exits, parking areas, and ticketing zones, allowing security personnel to monitor crowds and detect suspicious activities.

The advanced customization features that can be added to trailers, such as license plate cameras and video analytics, can help with the identification and investigation of criminal activity.

Their visible presence also offers reassurance to staff and travelers that their safety is being monitored.

Ports Security

Border crossings and customs checkpoints can significantly benefit from the deployment of mobile solar surveillance trailers, specifically by monitoring vehicles, pedestrian traffic, cargo areas, and inspection points.

Strategically located surveillance trailers allow ports and border officers the ability to view real-time footage to detect illegal activities and security threats.

The autonomous operation capabilities provided by the trailers mean they can be located in remote or high-traffic areas, regardless of supporting infrastructure, and they can be quickly relocated should priorities change

With additional enhancements such as license plate recognition and thermal imaging, surveillance trailers can be the ultimate technology platform for increased border security.

The highly visible security presence of surveillance trailers also deters illegal crossings and other illicit activities, promoting a secure environment at ports of entry.

By augmenting existing security measures with these versatile and autonomous trailers, government agencies can significantly enhance their ability to monitor and protect critical border areas.

Public Works Security

Solar surveillance trailers can significantly benefit public works projects such as construction sites, highway maintenance, and infrastructure repair programs.

These projects often contain high-value materials and machinery, which are attractive to opportunist thieves. 

Surveillance trailers are ideal for protecting these projects from unauthorized intrusions, theft, and vandalism. They can be rapidly deployed to any temporary location and rented on a short-term basis. 

Typically, a surveillance trailer can also be paired with live video monitoring from a monitoring center, putting professional eyes on sites during off-hours or in remote locations. 

This remote monitoring capability is essential to delivering the proactive security required to reduce theft at jobsite locations. 

Illegal Dumping Hotspots

Solar surveillance trailers effectively deter illegal dumping activities and provide a solution for investigating and identifying those involved. 

Trailers can be quickly deployed to known dumping hotspots and relocated once the issues in a particular area have been addressed. 

Again, their autonomous operation allows trailers to be deployed to any location, regardless of power or internet availability, providing government agencies with ultimate flexibility in terms of targeting illegal dumping. 

Pairing solar surveillance with specialized equipment such as LPR cameras is an effective way to identify those responsible for illegal dumping activities that can damage environmental health. 

Summary

Mobile solar surveillance trailers offer a reliable and budget-efficient solution for government agencies no matter what public safety or security requirement they have.

They have become an indispensable tool due to their core benefits of drop-and-go installation, portability, and autonomous operation.

WCCTV has supplied US-made solar surveillance trailers to government agencies for over 20 years. We are produced to supply only the highest, NDAA-compliant surveillance technology for a variety of use cases.

To learn how we can support your mission, complete the short contact form below, and one of our team members will reach out to arrange a brief consultation.