Timmins Police Service deploys high-definition surveillance system to boost community safety

Jan. 15, 2013
Canadian city plans to use Avigilon system to better protect businesses, residents and help reduce criminal behavior

VANCOUVER, CANADA – January 10, 2012 – Avigilon (TSX:AVO), a leader in high-definition (HD) and megapixel video surveillance solutions, today announced that the Timmins Police Service in Timmins, Ontario, has deployed the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system in high-traffic areas across the city to help reduce criminal behavior and better protect its 40,000 residents. The City of Timmins plans to expand the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system to other municipal departments including City Hall, Timmins Transit, and the water treatment plant to further boost community safety.

“Our officers cannot be everywhere all of the time, so the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system acts as extra eyes in high-traffic areas to help solve crime and deter unlawful behavior as quickly and effectively as possible,” said Randall Trebilcock, inspector of support services at the Timmins Police Service. “Delivering exceptional image clarity, user-friendly management software, and reliability, the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system expedites investigations and will boost conviction rates, helping us demonstrate our commitment to community safety and gain the public trust.”

On the recommendation of SECURaGLOBE, a provider of corporate security and investigative services, the Timmins Police Service uses the Avigilon Control Center network video management software (NVMS) with High-Definition Stream Management™ (HDSM) technology to manage a combination of Avigilon HD 16 MP and 5 MP cameras installed in key areas on the city’s network to cover the main shopping malls, downtown core, busiest roads and intersections, a large central park, and several key municipal buildings including several sports complexes and a conservation area. The Police Service also purchased the 16 MP high-definition rapid deployment kit for temporary use at community events. Two designated police officers monitor the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system from a central monitoring station and store up to 14 days of continuous video footage on five servers.

“The product and service that we received from Avigilon were of a very high standard,” said John Gauthier, Chief of Police at the Timmins Police Service. “The representatives are very knowledgeable and were a pleasure to work with. One word comes to mind when thinking of this company…excellence.”

Deploying the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system, the Timmins Police Service can leverage the city’s existing fibre network and cost-effectively scale the city-wide surveillance system to meet future needs. Using the Avigilon Control Center software, law enforcement officers can reduce investigations from weeks to days. With access to indisputable evidence, the Timmins Police Service expects to achieve a higher conviction rate, reduce the time and costs required for the Court to prepare for criminal prosecution, and result in more guilty pleas. For the one-time annual cost of three full-time police officers, the Timmins Police Service received a high-quality, reliable, scalable, and network-compatible high-definition surveillance system that monitors a far greater area than humanly possible.

“Today, leading law enforcement agencies around the world are adopting advanced technologies to help better protect citizens and prevent crime. The Timmins Police Service in Timmins, Ontario is no exception,” said Bryan Schmode, executive vice president of global sales at Avigilon. “Delivering superior image quality, advanced search and playback capabilities, and cost-effective scalability, the Avigilon high-definition surveillance system has become a valuable tool used by the Timmins Police Service to ensure the safety and security of the community.”