We also like the idea of the Road Show Blondes 10-day Houston to New York City jaunt, a generous offering of  time, art, and heart. We’ve joined forces with blondes Aimee & Jayme as the road trip’s title and vehicle sponsor, and we’re pleased to donate our own funds, time, effort, and passion to their cause: Promoting awareness of depression and preventing suicide among the college-age population while raising funds to benefit The Jed Foundation, the nation’s leading organization dedicated to this urgent cause.

Reading Seth Godin et al.’s free e-book What Matters Now, I was struck by this innovative thinker’s take on generosity in the connected economy: “If you make a difference, people will gravitate to you…. If you make a difference, you also make a connection. You interact with people who want to be interacted with and you make changes that people respect and yearn for.”

Seth could have written that last bit with the Road Show Blondes in mind. They are attracting attention to a sober cause with a “different,” upbeat approach. They hope to interact, connect, and reach out to youth in need who yearn for change in their lives–those suffering depression and at risk of suicide.

Won’t you reach out and connect with Aimee & Jayme and their readers? Follow along this journey of hope and mission to help at www.roadshowblondes.com.  If you have a story to tell, support to offer, or feel in need of help, you might give something, learn something, and make a difference by engaging in this forum of frank, heartfelt discussion. And expect some fun along the way: Shenanigans will ensue!

Seth also wrote, “In a digital world, the gift I give you almost always benefits me more than it costs…. This year, you’ll certainly find that the more you give the more you get.” We’re with Seth, on that one. And we’re with the Road Show Blondes, all the way.

Happy trails & safe travels, ladies: Buckle up, enjoy the ride in SV-2, and whatever you do, don’t tweet in the driver’s seat! Pass your phone to the blonde riding shotgun: Let her be the designated tweeter. We luvs ya, and we wants ya to reach NYC, safe and sound.

During a recent attempt to tow an illegally parked vehicle at a Houston apartment complex, Edward (who drives for Safety Vision client Redlight Wreckers) was confronted by the vehicle’s owner. A profanity-fueled exchange quickly escalated into violence when the vehicle owner pulled a gun and began shooting to kill.

Edward thought “I can’t fight a bullet,” lowered the tow-truck’s boom, dumped the offending vehicle, and beat a hasty retreat–narrowly escaping with his life. Two bullets pierced the wrecker’s cab, one stopped by a small metal plate in the driver’s seat. The fortuitous placement of that plate likely saved Edward’s life.

The incident was captured by the Safety Vision mobile surveillance system aboard the wrecker. While the shooter is still at large, the digital video recording may be used as court-admissible evidence once he is apprehended. We’d enjoy playing a hand in the prosecution of a cold-blooded felon who would take a life before paying a $70 towing fee! Shortly after the shooting, Redlight Wreckers owner Christopher Hoffmeister brought the truck by Safety Vision and reconstructed the crime for us. Sobering to see the bullet holes; clear to see why Edward considers himself blessed.

Meanwhile, Nefertiti–who has been in Houston only a fortnight–is making local news, herself! The Chronicle’s Ken Hoffman called her a smarty pants last Thursday; and “new media TV dude” Mike McGuff, who spoke with her over the weekend about the mainstream media’s use of social media, mused that Nefertiti may be a “big TV star” in the making. If you’re a fan (she had us at “Hi, I’m Nefertiti!”), check out the Flip video and Flickr photo set documenting KPRC’s visit to Safety Vision.

Lastly, we were charmed by the energetic and engaging Edward, whose parting comment was, “You should come out and see me at the comedy club sometime!” We’re glad the curtain didn’t fall on his act: This funny man has the last laugh.

A native Spanish speaker, Elsa has been a valued sidekick to Sammy Almaguer, our U.S. and International Account Executive. Together, Sammy and Elsa have served Safety Vision long and well as we’ve broadened our international footprint and brought lifesaving mobile surveillance solutions to foreign shores.

In the accompanying photo, Elsa poses with the governor of Veracruz at the XXVII Convencion Internacional de Mineria (International Mining Convention) in Mexico, October 2009. The governor stopped by our booth at the show and is shown wielding our SV-1500–a personal mobile DVR, still camera, and flashlight in one. At the show, Elsa and Sammy also demo’d our full suite of collision avoidance and onboard surveillance recording solutions. Our heavy duty camera, monitor, and mobile DVR systems are equipped to handle the environmental and operating rigors of mining and other heavy equipment industries, around the world.

Visit our Flickr photostream to see Elsa’s farewell “happy hour” at Houston HQ. We’ll miss that smiling face, but she’s only a phone call away! Elsa’s customers can still reach her through Safety Vision’s main line (713.896.6600) or toll-free number (800.880.8855). Meanwhile, we wish Elsa and our extended Safety Vision family & friends salud, suerte y fortuna.

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!

The fallen heroes of 9/11 are survived by heroes still standing. But rarely are they standing still! Every day, every night, members of the public safety and security community face urgency and peril, racing against the clock to the scene of an accident or other catastrophe. We are honored to support the many arms of this valiant community–those police officers, fire personnel, and EMT teams who put their own lives on the line to serve and protect, to rescue and save.

Our mobile video solutions are contributing to their lifesaving crisis response efforts, both on the road and at the destination. With our collision avoidance cameras along for the ride, drivers of emergency vehicles are less likely to be involved in moving or backing accidents. And our mobile video surveillance systems are recording evidentiary data at the scene while facilitating crisis communication with such features as live streaming video and the wireless transfer of electronic data.

The Los Angeles City Airport Fire Department is one Safety Vision first responder client who is using both types of mobile video solutions on their Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting (ARFF) fleet. These are the personnel and vehicles that rush to the scene of crashes, fires, and other urgent incidents: rough duty that requires tough equipment. Each of the fleet’s vehicles is equipped with a Safety Vision backup camera and monitor system to prevent accidents at the scene and a forward-facing camera for fire-scene recording. We were on site at the airport recently and have these photos to share.

As another September passes, we salute the brave women and men who commit their lives to serving and saving others. It’s not only fools who rush in. Sometimes, it’s heroes.

The incident was captured by Safety Vision’s PatrolRecorder 4C RHD (removable hard drive) mobile DVR. It all began when Sergeant Matthew Davidson of the Harris County Precinct 8 Constable’s Office came to the aid of a “nervous” motorist changing a flat on a narrow bridge shoulder as traffic rushed by. Moments before the semi tire rolled onto the scene, the motorist looked up and spied the oncoming tire. And just in the nick of time: His startled exclamation of warning prompted Sgt. Davidson to move out of harm’s way, not a moment or millimeter too soon.

We’re happy to report that Sgt. Davidson sustained only minor injuries while proclaiming major gratitude at  his good fortune. It’s true what they say: One good deed deserves another.

See the story as reported on Houston’s KTRK Channel 13, (C) 2009-KTRK-TV/DT.

If your school has an existing procurement contract with Dell computers, you are eligible to purchase Safety Vision school bus safety cameras and mobile DVRs through your Dell representative. To learn more about this convenient option, please contact Jimmy Finger, our global Dell relationship manager, at jfinger@safetyvision.com, on his direct office line 713.929.1058, or toll free 800.880.8855.

We’d love to make your job easier so you can get out there and enjoy your summer! Meanwhile, check out a few photos of a recent school bus camera installation job.

If you’re a video buff, you’ll want to check out online video-sharing site Vimeo.  Vimeo bills itself as “People connecting through video”: a thriving community for people to upload, store, and share video. You could say that our business, too, is people connecting through video–mobile video, that is.

Safety Vision’s first posting on Vimeo was provided by a police car video camera customer here in the great state of Texas.  The video depicts a night-time ride that ends when the officer misjudges a turn and flips his vehicle. (This same clip had earlier been posted with other police video clips on policeone.com’s BLUtube.)

This police department uses our four-camera PatrolRecorder 4C in-car patrol video surveillance system. Listen closely, and you’ll note that the system’s audio is automatically triggered by the event. This combination of video and audio recording provides a comprehensive, accurate reconstruction of the scene–before, during, and after an accident or other incident under review. “Just the facts, ma’am,” as Sgt. Joe Friday was given to say.

Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride: In-car police camera video captured at night from Safety Vision on Vimeo.

According to Lt. Ruemke, “We’ve been using police car video cameras for about 10 years, now. We started back when the technology consisted of camcorders bouncing on the dashboard.” Technology has evolved, and mobile-rated police car video systems are considerably more rugged and reliable. Today, the two law officers say they can’t imagine patrol duty without onboard video recording.

“The police car cameras are helpful in so many situations, especially as a quick way to solve a complaint,” says Ruemke. The officers mentioned the technology’s contributions to racial profiling reporting and said the in-car video technology is invaluable in DWI and drug interdiction stops as well as domestic disturbance calls. In fact, says Deputy Wegner, “It’s hard to get a DWI conviction without a video.”

And the officers say they rely on in-car audio just as much as the video. (Our OPV by Safety Vision features an industry-leading 900 MHz audio unit and a discreet, backseat-mounted microphone.) “You might catch two perps back there trying to get their stories straight, or you might get audiotaped proof of consent to search on a drug interdiction: Later, they can’t say they didn’t consent.” Concludes Wegner, “Nobody likes to get arrested–and sometimes people lie. These in-car video systems catch those lies.”

We enjoyed our visit with Officers Ruemke (who drives a Charger on duty) and Wegner (who drives a pickup truck on duty, claiming good naturedly that he does “all the grunt work”). It’s our privilege and pleasure to serve these and other public servants. After all, that’s what they do for us–every day.

- Christine Portillo, Marketing Director