We first arrived on the police patrol video scene with our 2004 acquisition of an in-car video provider. Some of those earliest mobile video offerings for law enforcement were analog. But we were already on the vanguard of the digital revolution and soon introduced our own PatrolRecorder series of mobile DVRs. The PatrolRecorder captures the entire scene, helping officers document their interactions with the public, recreate the sequence of events, identify perpetrators, and prosecute criminals. And sometimes they capture some wild footage, from runaway wheels to rogue rides!

More recently, we introduced our law enforcement clientele to the SV-1500 three-in-one solution. This flashlight/camera/DVR combo not only sheds light on the scene, it captures it as well — in still photos and moving video. And just this week, we took a new turn in police work as we mounted our MDVRs on patrol motorcycles — a first. Check out the photos on Flickr from our installation for the Del Rio, TX PD. Perhaps Ponch could’ve used a PatrolRecorder…

Frankly, we were alarmed at the news story regarding two airline pilots who overshot their destination by 150 miles and were out of communication for 1.5 hours, allegedly (and against company policy) because they were diddling with laptops rather than deploying landing gear. So, what’s to keep pilot and co-pilot from whipping out their iPhones for a wicked round of dueling apps when they should be checking other instruments? Scary thought, for air travelers.

Transportation secretary Ray LaHood likewise takes a dim view of distracted navigators: “Any kind of distraction, whether it’s trains, planes or automobiles is a distraction and we should figure out ways to get these cell phones, the texting, … and the use of laptops out of the hands of people who are supposed to be delivering the public … somewhere safely.”

That’s not a lot for the public to expect. Don’t we deserve to be ferried about safely? Shouldn’t we rest assured that we’re in good hands and under watchful eyes? I’m not being facetious when I say, “Too bad the cockpit wasn’t equipped with a SafeDrive MiniDVR.” This new windshield-mounted mobile DVR is helping our clients in other mobile industries monitor and record what’s going on outside the windshield and inside the vehicle cabin.

Scary but true: Careless or distracted drivers are putting personnel, property, and the public in peril. But that’s where we come in. Our onboard cameras and mobile DVRs may deter unsafe driving en route; and when such behaviors are detected, fleet owners can work with their drivers to modify bad habits. Meanwhile, we encourage all drivers–professional and private–to “Pocket it ’til you park it!”

Drive safe; live safe!

So, it’s no surprise that they turned to Safety Vision when equipping their own fleet to enhance driver safety. Proforma is using our rear- and side-view camera systems as well as our thermal imaging technology. We snapped a few photos of their road-ready HUMMER on a recent visit to Safety Vision HQ in Houston: Take a look at the slideshow! You also may view these photos as a gallery of still shots on Flickr, where you can click on each individual image for specifics on the Safety Vision collision avoidance equipment featured in that photo.

(And the S.W.A.T. you see emblazoned on the HUMMER? While this vehicle equipped with visibility-enhancing safety equipment is indeed a  “Special Weapon And Tactic,” here it stands for the Proforma-coined “Safe Work Awareness Team”!)

• Reduce the frequency and detrimental impact of fraudulent claims
• Reduce or eliminate vandalism and graffiti
• Protect civilians by deterring crime
• Effectively prosecute perpetrators, when crimes are committed
• Effectively handle customer concerns and/or complaints, and more.

The hi-tech innovations built into the current model of our flagship mobile digital video recorder (MDVR), the RoadRecorder 6000 PRO, make it easy for Mass Transit properties to record, retrieve, review, and archive high quality video, audio, and sensor information from the vehicle. Because the video is recorded at high frame rates (up to 300 fps) with the most sophisticated compression technology available, properties get the best of both worlds: high quality, full motion video in a reduced file size that can be easily saved, stored, and transferred. In addition, all files are encrypted using our patented technology, which ensures the data’s forensic integrity: a critical component when used in a court of law.

Retrieving data from the vehicles (or railcars) is simplified through the use of an advanced wireless network solution. The network can be configured to automatically download video and system status information from all vehicles, daily, and report the data’s availability to an administrator. This, along with the system’s reliability and durability, ensures a virtual “hands free” video management program for the agency. In addition, the recording system is designed to work with other Intelligent Bus type systems (GPS, AVL, APC), so a seamless integration of technologies is possible.

The Mass Transit industry requires a quality product that is easy to use and supported by a knowledgeable and responsive staff. Safety Vision has been fulfilling these requirements for over 10 years. Visit the Safety Vision web site for more information on public transit surveillance.

- Mike Schwerman, Account Executive