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[show]Explore how police departments use solar surveillance trailers for public safety. Learn about their benefits, practical uses, and real-world case studies.
How Do Police and Law Enforcement UItilize Solar Surveillance Trailers?
As public safety and security demands for law enforcement become increasingly more challenging, mobile solar surveillance trailers are becoming an invaluable asset to police departments looking to augment their officers with a technology-based solution.
The flexibility provided by this drop-and-go surveillance solution, which can be deployed at practically any location and easily relocated when requirements change, makes it an attractive option for departments operating on limited budgets who want to invest in a solution that offers the highest rate of return.
Below, we explore some of the key benefits solar surveillance trailers deliver to law enforcement, as well as the typical use cases they are associated with.
What Benefits Do Surveillance Trailers Offer to Police Departments?
While there are a multitude of benefits associated with mobile solar surveillance trailers, there are a particular set of benefits that are specifically appealing to law enforcement. These include:
Mobility and Flexibility
Surveillance Trailers are the ultimate quick-deployment solution. They can be installed within minutes in response to any crime or emergency situation.
Their portability makes them the ideal solution for temporary monitoring requirements at public events or increasing police presence in high-crime zones.
Agencies such as the Alliance Police Department, which utilizes WCCTV Surveillance Trailers, also consult with public committees to determine which areas would most benefit from trailer deployments.
High-Quality Video Surveillance
Solar Trailers are typically equipped with the latest surveillance camera technology, which provides police officers with exceptional coverage and high-resolution footage for evidence gathering and investigation.
Police forces across the US report that high-resolution surveillance cameras, especially those featuring infrared night vision capabilities, have increased their arrest and detection rates by 20-30%.
AI Video Analytics Detection
The latest generation of police solar surveillance trailers feature cameras with embedded video analytics technology, which can help with crime prevention and detection.
AI-powered video analytics software can automatically detect unusual activities, identify intrusions, and even predict potential crimes based on behavioral patterns.
The automated alerts generated by the analytics software can be used to create several remote crime prevention responses, such as triggering sirens and voice address systems.
Scalability and Integration
Depending upon the supplier, model of trailer, and camera array, it is possible to integrate a surveillance trailer into your existing VMS platforms and other security infrastructure.
The City of Dallas was able to leverage the integration pathway of WCCTV's surveillance technology when they deployed over 1000 WCCTV units across the city.
This offers limitless scalability opportunities outside of a police department's typical fixed network of surveillance devices.
Autonomous Deployment
Solar surveillance trailers operate via long-run internal batteries, which are charged by direct sunlight interacting with the trailer's solar panels.
This means they can operate fully independently of grid energy, allowing them to be deployed to practically any location.
This gives law enforcement the edge they need to be able to bring eyes to any locations that have additional surveillance requirements.
In addition to their autonomy of power, many surveillance trailers also offer transmission via wireless technologies, such as cellular connectivity.
By being autonomous of power and connectivity, solar surveillance trailers are a drop-and-go security solution that can enhance safety even in the most off-grid areas.
Where are Police Solar Surveillance Trailers Used?
The versatility and ease of deployment provided by mobile solar surveillance trailers allows them to be used for multiple police use cases.
Whether it's targeting high crime areas, providing additional surveillance at a sporting event, reducing crime in parking lots, or ensuring safety at parks and recreation sites, surveillance trailers dramatically enhance the security tool kit of law enforcement agencies.
Below, we examine some of the common and less typical deployment scenarios for police surveillance trailers.
Public Events
Large-scale public gatherings, such as sporting events or demonstrations, present multiple security threats that can be hard to contain with just boots on the ground.
Solar surveillance trailers offer additional eyes in the sky, keeping watch over all activities and providing police officers with real-time insights.
This enhanced situational awareness allows law enforcement and security personnel to respond to developing safety and security threats before they escalate.
This was the case at the MLB Allstar game in Miami, FL, where several surveillance trailers were deployed to assist with crowd and traffic management and maintain ongoing security throughout the event.
High Crime Areas
Solar surveillance trailers are the ultimate police response to areas associated with high crime rates.
They provide continuous monitoring in these zones, allowing law enforcement to gather vital evidence of crimes and identify offenders.
Standing at 20ft tall and adorned with flashing lights, sirens, and voice address systems, they are also an imposing show of force that extends the long arm of the law.
Additionally, trailers can be quickly relocated, so if the crime switches from one location to another, the trailers can easily be moved to meet the change in surveillance requirements.
Finally, the presence of a trailer in an area badly affected by crime provides reassurance to the local community that the police are addressing these issues.
Surveillance trailers reassure communities that someone is watching out for and protecting law-abiding citizens, as evidenced by the York City Police Department's deployment of surveillance trailers as part of Operation Knightwatch.
Campus Security
Managing the safety and security risks at higher education campuses is an ever-evolving challenge. With thousands of students, staff, and visitors moving through campuses on a daily basis, maintaining visual oversight and awareness demands a high-tech security solution.
Solar surveillance trailers are the ultimate solution for delivering additional eyes on the ground at crime hotspots such as parking lots and entrances and for enhancing safety during major college sports events.
The University of Arkansas, for example, has deployed surveillance trailers at the Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium, helping to curb instances of disorder at Friday Night Lights fixtures.
Parking Lot Security
Parking lots present a natural attraction for criminal activity such as vehicle theft, violent assaults, and property crimes.
Law enforcement agencies can deploy surveillance trailers to parking lots within business districts to improve neighborhood safety and reduce crime.
The City of Porth Amboy, NJ, is one of many police departments that have installed surveillance trailers at parking lots and benefited from reduced crime rates of 30-40%.
Traffic Monitoring
Another typical use case for solar surveillance trailers is monitoring highways and intersections to observe traffic volume and detect accidents and incidents.
The autonomous capability of solar powered surveillance trailers means they can be deployed at practically any roadside location, regardless of power or internet access.
Hutchins Police Department, TX, has significantly benefited from adding mobile surveillance units to its traffic monitoring setup.
Summary
Mobile solar surveillance trailers offer a reliable and budget-efficient solution for any police department aiming to ensure public safety and quickly respond to emerging crime threats.
Their key benefits include ease of deployment, portability, and autonomous operation, making them an essential part of any police department's crime prevention and investigation strategy.
WCCTV has supplied US-made solar surveillance trailers to police departments for over 20 years. We are proud to back the blue, working with over 250 agencies nationwide.
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.
FAQs
Can law enforcement agencies rent solar surveillance trailers, or are they only available for purchase?
Yes, WCCTV offers law enforcement agencies the option to rent or purchase solar surveillance trailers. Renting is ideal for short-term projects or events, while purchasing suits agencies wanting a permanent solution. Both options provide flexibility based on budget and operational needs.
How can police departments find funding or grants for purchasing solar surveillance trailers?
There are several avenues available to police departments researching grant funding opportunities to invest in solar surveillance trailers. Many federal and state grant programs support law enforcement technology and public safety initiatives, including Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) grants or Homeland Security grants.
What are the must-have features of a police solar surveillance trailer?
Key features that a police solar surveillance trailer must offer include high-definition security cameras with night vision, PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) control, high-performance solar panels and long-run batteries for uninterrupted performance, the ability to integrate with existing IT infrastructure, and non-Chinese components to comply with NDAA regulations.
Daniel del Soldato
Marketing Director
Daniel has been at WCCTV for over 10 years and has accumulated a vast wealth of knowledge of mobile surveillance products and the way they operate. In his spare time, Daniel likes to listen to music, watch football, and spend quality time with his family.
