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Chicago security planners go too far
City residents draw the line on public surveillance when it is incorporated into public art; Crown Fountain installation removed; Americans remain ambivalent about public CCTV
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West Virginia city offers CCTV rebates for downtown businesses
Concerned about vandalism, city offers shopkeepers a $1,500 rebate on prenegotiated four-camera systems; unique arrangement allows police full access to the cameras and attached DVRs
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ViaLogy and Boeing develop detection system emulating bugs' eyes
The most advanced science-based companies try to emulate to vision architecture of humble insects and reptiles in order to improve precise detction applications
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SF deploys license plate scanners to fighting parking scofflaws
Onboard system is programmed to locate cars sporting five or more outstanding parking tickets; violators immediately get the boot; emerging technology finds many friends in law enforcement
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New vortex generators to help UUVs dock
Squid and octopi inspire Colorado researchers to develop a more effective design for unmanned underwater vehicles; no need to trade litheness for docking stability; enhanced craft can even parallel park
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Marines abandon Dragon Eye UAV for the Raven B
Although the Dragon Eye has seen its share of successes, high cost and inability to handle strong winds sent the Marines back to the drawing board; AeroVironment’s Raven B, already popular with the Army, looks to take up the mission at lower cost
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Northrop to supply Navy with two Fire Scout UAV helicopters
$16.2 million contract modification a good sign for this intriguing craft; based on the Schweizer Model 333 manned helicopter, Fire Scout is especially suited for reconnaissance, mine detection, and as a communications node for future warfare applications
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DRS receives $10 million DoD order for its MSTAR radar system
Low energy-consumptive MSTAR is ideally suited for perimeter security applications; company already a government favorite for its thermal weapon sights
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Dayton positions itself as a sensor center
Ohio’s Third Frontier Commission awards $28 million for the development of a sensor technology research center; business partners include Woolpert, General Dynamics, UES, YSI, and L-3 Communications Cincinnati Electronics
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Nice to grow through strategic acquisitions
Israeli video surveillance maker completed three acquisitions in 2006 for more than $235 million; it is planning on acquiring additional companies
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RemoteReality receives $7.3 million in VC funding
Battelle Ventures and Chart Venture partners pick up the tab; company a DoD favorite for its 360-degree video analytics technology; USS Cole and USS Greenville incidents drive demand for on-board surveillance and monitoring
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U Maryland team develops new surveillance technology
Terrapins researchers develop a human-gait recognition biometric system which, when combined with aaditional facial and height recognition elements, offers a powerful new surveillance tool aiming to prevent criminal and terrorist act, not merely record them
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Legal Eagle: Who owns surveillance video?
An ATM robbery prompts the question after the bank refuses to show surveillance footage to the aggrieved customer; Ken Kirschenbaum urges companies to comply with law enforcement requests; in most cases, no harm can come of sharing footage, so long as the company is not worried about what the tapes might show about their own procedures
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Integrian buys Signal Innovations Group
Deal expands Integrian’s mobile surveillance and analytics business; SIG known for data modeling and algorithm design for defense applications; acquisition the third in two years for Integrian
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Texas virtual border patrol goes on-line
After a one-month stress test, state proclaims effort a success; more than 200,000 register to watch for illegal immigrants on their desktops; one major arrest reported; technological and contracting issues hamper full $5 million roll-out
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The long view
How DHS Laid the Groundwork for More Intelligence Abuse
I&A, the lead intelligence unit of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) —long plagued by politicized targeting, permissive rules, and a toxic culture —has undergone a transformation over the last two years. Spencer Reynolds writes that this effort falls short. “Ultimately, Congress must rein in I&A,” he adds.