Security for Ports Plus Belle La Vie en Monaco – Principality Overlooked by Dallmeier CCTV

Nestled on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea in Southern Europe, the Principality of Monaco is an international hub of wealth and enterprise. People of 119 nationalities successfully live here together. Bankers, businessmen and entrepreneurs, people from all walks of life, mingle together in Monaco, which over time has developed into one of the most cosmopolitan and popular states in the world. One reason for this popularity is the low criminality in the principality, the result, among other things, of many years of video surveillance by the German CCTV/IP manufacturer Dallmeier.

The Monégasque government has been using a video surveillance system for a number of years to ensure peace and security throughout the state. However, the analog system with manually controlled tape recording had ceased to be suitable a long time ago as only a portion of the available cameras were being recorded, while the expenses for the regular maintenance work and the exchange of video tapes were very high. On top of this, the search for relevant image sequences within the recordings was time-consuming and laborious. Therefore, the decision was made to install a digital system.

In 2005, the contract for the installation was awarded to Regensburg-based company Dallmeier, which had already successfully realized the video surveillance system at the Casino Monte Carlo. Dallmeier developed a custommade video surveillance solution which met the customer‘s high requirements regarding quality and ease of use. One of the decisive criteria for choosing this manufacturer‘s products was the easy integration of the existing analog video matrix. The company had designed a hybrid solution in which the existing system could be converted step by step to a fully digital system. This gradual transition from one system to the other has two advantages: a high degree of investment and cost control as well as simplified integration.

Over 500 Cameras

The virtual matrix (digital crossbar) developed by Dallmeier is well suited for the requirements on site in Monaco. It enables the transmission and recording of video and audio signals in broadcast quality via an Ethernet/IP network. With this technology, the video signals of any number of cameras in public areas are encoded and, if required, transmitted via the IP network. Using the Semsy management software, the system can be very easily and intuitively controlled and administered. The core of the system is made up of DIS devices. These are real-time streamers and recorders which transmit and record a total of 520 cameras (fixed and PTZ cameras) with redundant/mirrored storage. They are in operation 24/7, so the entire city area is monitored by video surveillance around the clock and events can be investigated in detail.

The flexible design of the DIS-2/M permits the monitoring of critical areas which require high recording quality and real-time transmission in compact form. Each system consists of up to ten modules which operate based on the security operating system Linux. Both a video and audio signal can be connected to every module. Four input and four output contacts are available per channel for control and switching tasks. Additionally, every module is equipped with an RS232/RS485 interface to control PTZ cameras.

The system's modular structure and the hot plug functionality of the single modules, which the redundant power packs of the component rack have as well, ensure high availability of the complete solution. Based on the DIS-2/M, the Dallmeier virtual matrix can be realized in a space-saving and cost-effective way and the unit also has LGC Forensics certification, which means that swapped image sequences are accepted as evidence in court.

The systems record directly onto the integrated memory and thus ensure maximum availability of recording data - even in the case of network problems and failures. This decentralized storage concept furthermore minimizes network bandwidth requirements. The live transmission of camera signals as well as the display of recorded material are possible simultaneous to recording, without any restrictions.

Vigilant Electronic Eyes

When selecting new network cameras, the Sûreté Publique of Monaco decided on Dallmeier IP cameras. These are installed in Police Headquarters and monitor all entrances to the main building. The detention cells located there are also equipped with cameras that record onto DIS-2/M NSU IP servers, 24/7. Three operating stations are available to the personnel in the technical and operative security center. „The Dallmeier system was integrated with a large monitor wall covering 7 m² as part of the renovation and modernization of the control center" explained the responsible person.

Evaluation and analysis of the recordings or events is very fast using the Semsy security management system, which is specially adapted to the requirements in Monaco. For example, it has a user interface custom-made for the customer. Three VMC-1 ‚Eagle‘ video management centers complement the management software. All functions that can be expected of a modern video management center are united and clearly distributed on the three components of the VMC-1 Eagle (joystick, jog-shuttle and keyboard with monitor). The jog-shuttle is used to find certain snapshots in a video sequence while the joystick allows easy steering of the movable cameras. The VMC-1 has the ability to display both recorded video material and live images on the integrated monitor and also, for example, to show maps or search functions.

Tested and Expanded

Since the video system has now proved itself in daily use for five years, the responsible persons decided to add an ultramodern number plate recognition system. A total of 15 NPR DIDetectors were therefore installed, primarily on the streets leading into and out of state territory. Four cameras are connected to each system: two NPR cameras, one for each direction, and two overview cameras. The NPR systems were professionally installed by specially trained technicians and enable identification of automobile number plates from standing and moving vehicles on 30 traffic lanes within the Principality of Monaco. If problems arise, the persons in charge can use the interlinked cameras to follow the path of the vehicle involved. In addition, they receive an alert if the vehicle in question has been stolen or is suspicious, which greatly facilitates any search.

The Sûreté Publique de Monaco have an extremely future-proof system to work with which, because of its modularity and scalability, can be expanded and adjusted easily at any time. Frank Oetjen, Project Sales Manager at Dallmeier, summarizes: „The customer‘s main requirement in selecting a system was to have a highly available, modular, network-based system, which uses the existing infrastructure and also has excellent image quality, but which has been prepared at the same time for future expansion. Based on the Semsy technology, we have created a solution that has been adapted in the best possible way to the customer‘s requirements and that has already been expanded several times."