Candid on Cameras » onboard surveillance

Dodging bullets: Towman Edward and reporter Nefertiti have the last laugh

Christine Portillo — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 01:06:27 +0000

Here’s some news we’re happy to report! Last week, we invited KPRC Local 2 news to Safety Vision to share a hair-raising tale of gunplay and survival. Here, reporter Nefertiti Jaquez met and interviewed Edward Wiley, a tow-truck driver, amateur comedian, and father-to-be who is happy to be alive.

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.

Planes, trains, and automobiles: Distracted driving soars to new heights

Christine Portillo — Thu, 29 Oct 2009 22:16:52 +0000

Mobile safety isn’t just about backup cameras. In these candid chronicles, we’ve also addressed the hazards of boating under the influence and driving while distracted. But now this: distracted flying?

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!

SafeDrive MiniDVR: Announcing a fresh angle in mobile video surveillance!

Christine Portillo — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 22:06:04 +0000

Thought we had all the angles covered? Think again! Safety Vision is excited to announce a new direction in our mobile video surveillance product offering. September marked the debut of our windshield-mounted SafeDrive MiniDVR, the latest line in our family of onboard video recording solutions for public and private sector fleets.

A compact, easy to install unit that incorporates two cameras and a mobile digital video recorder (MDVR), the SafeDrive affords a reliable, reasonably priced alternative to event-based recording in the mobile environment. One camera records through the windshield for a panoramic view of the events and environment encountered during drive time. The second camera is trained on the cabin and records operators’ and passengers’ actions, reactions, and interactions. Unique features that contribute to an uninterrupted, comprehensive, and irrefutable recording are the post-event snapshots and an internal battery backup.

We could run on about nifty features and benefits. Instead, we’ll let a (moving) picture tell a thousand words. In this sample video clip from the first generation SafeDrive model, the driver narrowly avoids a pile-up—and it’s all caught on camera. (Of course, it doesn’t help that he’s talking on his cellphone while driving. And the “Look, Ma: no hands!” routine is a bit hair-raising: See if you can spot it. At least he isn’t texting and driving, a real sore spot with us Safety Visionaries!)

If you are hungry for the written word on SafeDrive, read the new product announcement press release, visit our Web site catalog, and review the product spec sheet. But that’s just a teaser: You’ll get the real skinny on this exciting new product from our Sales staff. So after you’ve done your homework, call to see what this innovative mobile safety product can do to improve performance, enhance safety, and reduce risk for your fleet operations.

We’re always delighted to toss another lifesaver on the waters: Our driving motivation is to see everyone arrive at their destination without incident, accident, or injury. Today and every day, we wish you and yours continued safety.

Have a SafeDrive!

Safety Vision featured in Metro magazine: an inside scoop on purchasing transit mobile surveillance

Melissa Foteh — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 18:05:27 +0000

John Major, one of Safety Vision’s cadre of transit video specialists, was featured in Metro magazine’s August issue in an article titled “What to Consider Before Equipping Your Fleet with Video Surveillance.”

Metro magazine delves into various aspects to consider before purchasing a mobile video system. As discussed, transit agencies all have individual onboard surveillance functionality requirements, and no two are necessarily the same.

The article suggests that transit agencies consider the following before purchasing mobile surveillance:

Get a test drive of the system
Check the system’s video quality
Assess user friendliness of the mobile digital video recorder (MDVR)
Compare system data storage to find the most suitable MDVR
Delve into the MDVR manufacturer’s history to gauge reliability
Calculate cameras needed against fleet budget and size
Choose the most appropriate locations for cameras on each bus
Compare available channels on MDVR to number of cameras needed
Find out if the MDVR is easily upgradeable for the future
Research manufacturer installation and technical support options

Other aspects touched on include researching warranties, expenses that go along with feature-rich systems, and available grant funding.

Click here to read the full online version of this article from Metro magazine.

We’re playing in Peoria: Safety Vision cameras are rolling on “Armadillo” surveillance vehicle

Christine Portillo — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 23:16:04 +0000

The Peoria, Illinois police department has adopted an ingenious weapon in its war on crime, a kind of modern-day Trojan Horse. Like the ancient Greeks who parked a giant wooden horse at the gates of Troy, the Peoria PD is parking a large armored vehicle at the gates of trouble. But unlike the fabled horse with its belly full of armed warriors, the police vehicle is usually unmanned–armed instead with a phalanx of mobile video surveillance cameras.

Nicknamed the Armadillo, the formidable and eyecatching eyesore is parked in front of “nuisance properties“: suspected drug houses or scenes of frequent disorderly conduct. The strategy: establishing a highly visible police presence without squandering patrol officer manhours. The result: shaming criminals and other scofflaws into modifying their behavior or beating a retreat. The prize: restoring a little peace and quiet to troubled neighborhoods.

The Armadillo is attracting attention, all right–nationwide! (And you thought armadillo sightings were “a Texas thang!”) Check out recent video newsclips from Fox and the Wall Street Journal and in online articles including wsjonline and gizmodo.

The Armadillo is rigged with four exterior-mounted SV-620 color cameras, a Safety Vision RoadRecorder 6000 PRO mobile DVR, and an interior-mounted SV-LCD70 display monitor. Plans are to add a fifth camera mounted behind the windshield to record the view from the inside looking out. And based on the success of (and citizen demand for) this prototype Armadillo, the Peoria PD may add similarly equipped vehicles to its crimefighting fleet, launching an armada of armored Armadillos!

Also of note: according to Jeff Wilson of the Peoria PD, the Armadillo is a top 10 contender in an International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) innovative policing contest. We’re rootin’ for the Armadillo, Friends!

Precious cargo: Safety Vision mobile cameras monitor horse trailers

Christine Portillo — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 18:21:55 +0000

Mobile video entrepreneur Bruce Smith has been known to say, “If it rolls, floats, or flies, we can put a camera on it.” How about if it gallops?! Horse trailers are just one example of the diverse rolling fleets using our collision avoidance camera systems–here, with a twist.

Along with SV-620 rear-view cameras to prevent backing accidents–one of the most common applications of our mobile safety products–Integrity Trailers is also using onboard cameras inside the trailer to ensure the safety and comfort of up to four horses, en route. Via trailer-to-truck cabling, live video from Safety Vision cameras streams to an in-cab SV-LCD-70 display monitor, assuring drivers that all’s well with their equine passengers and alerting them to backing hazards or other concerns.

Our collision avoidance and onboard surveillance camera systems provide an added safety cushion for horse people who want to protect their investments, both financial and emotional. You may have heard of horses helping people? We’re people helping horses! See photos of our unique mobile safety collaboration with Integrity on Flickr.