Security cameras were recently installed in the Edgar County Courthouse and jail, and the new surveillance systems are already paying off. The purpose of the cameras is to provide building security as well liability protection. For example, in instances where inmates complain of mistreatment, or visitors maintain they were injured on the premises, there will be visual evidence to support or disprove those claims.

One of the biggest concerns many people have when in the market for a video surveillance camera is "How do I know it'll work?" Their concerns aren't completely unfounded - surveillance cameras are great at identification and constant monitoring, but what happens when you have a true emergency on your hands? Security With Advanced Technology has introduced a system it hopes will demonstrate the potential that developing technology has for improving video surveillance.

In traditional surveillance systems, different types of cameras play different types of roles. Wall-mounted and bullet cameras are used for detail shots - getting specific information like facial features on persons of interest, for example. Dome cameras are for getting an overall glance at a store's sales floor or the main area of an office. The Axis 215PTZ network camera, available mid-June, may change all of this forever.

TriMet, the public transportation authority for the Portland, OR metropolitan area, was recently awarded a $560,000 grant from the Transportation Safety Administration for the purpose of improving its CCTV infrastructure on the MAX (Metropolitan Area Express) light rail system.

Legacy Play Village in Lubbock, Tex. has been the victim of several instances of vandalism in the past. In fact, the damage was so bad at one point that the park was forced to close. Three weeks ago, surveillance cameras were installed throughout the park to prevent future incidents and to catch vandals in the act. It hasn't taken long for the surveillance system to pay off. Six people have already been arrested thanks to the new security cameras. The criminals, with ages ranging from 19 to 55, were all charged with criminal trespassing after being caught on camera.

A recent report from Frost & Sullivan North American Video Surveillance Software Markets has predicted that revenue from IP video will grow a staggering 70% in the next seven years - from $139.76 million in 2006 to $826.7 million in 2013. One of the catalysts behind this amazing growth? Schools.

Merseyside police officers will soon utilize a small remote-controlled video surveillance helicopter in order to track criminals and record suspicious activity. The "spy drone" was originally designed for military reconnaissance missions, but its return to the air will help authorities keep a close watch over city streets and high-crime areas.

We've discussed how awesome video surveillance is for protecting almost any environment - from schools to businesses to research environments, it's one of the most surefire ways to protect nearly every type of building. But paradoxically, some areas are so secure and so sensitive that video surveillance isn't just inadequate, it could actually wreak havoc.

Surveillance cameras are playing a key role in the investigation of a hit and run accident that resulted in the death of 17-year-old Tiffany Bottenfield in Welland, Ontario. The incident took place at the intersection of Rosewood and Aqueduct, near the Seaway Mall. A mall supervisor assisted the Niagara Regional Police in scouring through footage from the mall's 33 security cameras searching for the suspects based solely on their physical description.

In a long-delayed move, commuter parking lots in Clarkstown, NY will soon be equipped with CCTV security cameras. The installation will begin this summer. Currently cameras watch over the Nanuet train station, but an additional 8 cameras are set to be installed at the Exit 14 park-and-ride lot along Route 59. The cameras will serve to provide peace-of-mind for drivers concerned about their vehicles as well as their personal safety.

At this year's IFSEC show, 3rdi will showcase an innovative portable surveillance system that allows remote viewing via cell phone. The centerpiece of the system is a small interactive camera that can be placed anywhere. Especially useful for homeowners in search of a cost-effective video surveillance solution, this handy gadget is an intriguing choice due to its small stature and convenient remote monitoring capabilities.

Ports have long been considered some of the weakest entry points into the United States, and one of the biggest challenges facing security officials in the fight against terrorism is port security. Millions of packages enter and leave the country each day through the 100+ ports in the US, which can make establishing security a challenge. The Port of Pittsburgh, the second busiest inland port in the country, has recently received a $2.6 million grant from the Department of Homeland Security to help secure the area.

While investigating the cultural implications of public video surveillance, a group of Canadian high school seniors came across a most interesting scenario: a man taking out his "road rage" on a cyclist - punching him so hard he lost a tooth.

While IP surveillance offers many benefits over analog CCTV, it's common for prospective users to have questions regarding how these new advanced systems affect storage space. With added capabilities such as increased resolution, higher frame rate, scalability, and the continuous recording, streaming, and saving of large amounts of data, IP-based surveillance systems can place a higher strain on storage hardware.

It's becoming more and more common to find security cameras aboard public modes of transportation such as buses and subway trains. These cameras work to protect drivers and passengers and to deter criminal activity and disorderly conduct. The Port Authority in Pittsburgh, Penn. has outfitted many of its buses with multiple surveillance cameras for those very reasons.

The first manufacturer of network cameras, AXIS has been an innovator in IP surveillance for over 10 years. The 211 and 211A series network cameras provide the quality you expect from AXIS, and are suitable for a surprisingly flexible range of applications.

Six men described as "Islamic radicals" were arrested Tuesday morning, accused of plotting to enter a military base and murder "as many soldiers as possible." The men, described as nationals of the former nation of Yugoslavia, were incriminated thanks to video footage taken of a planning meeting.

There are many challenges involved in providing comprehensive video surveillance for industrial locations such as factories and plants. Such locations often include vast building areas which require a large number of cameras installed in various sections such as the warehouse, assembly lines, and shipping areas. Security staff faced with the task of continuous monitoring must deal with the day to day monotony while remaining poised and ready to react to a situation at a moment's notice. Additionally, since the area of coverage is so large, it can be difficult to quickly pinpoint where exactly an incident is occurring, especially if multiple alarms are triggered simultaneously.

GeoVision recently introduced its DVR with Multi-Quad TV out system as a way to increase the efficiency of real-time video monitoring and response times in complicated areas such as these.

Illegal immigration. It's one of the most heated and divisive issues Americans face today, and in its wake, has spawned a number of bills and acts, including the REAL ID act of 2005.

Police in Brooklyn, NY have used a surveillance system once used by criminals to track activities around their hideout to incriminate a drunk driver responsible for a tragic accident on Monday.

Warfare has evolved rapidly over the last 50 years - the advent of airplanes, submarines and atomic weapons has forever changed the way that wars are fought, and has made strategy, intelligence and espionage into essential battlefield weapons. One of the latest developments in this new, distant type of war? Unmanned aerial drones.