After working with VLCM on successful networking and VoIP projects, Santa Clara City reached out to VLCM in late 2020 for help on a new IT project: equipping city offices with video surveillance technology. Although the initial plans started and ended at city hall, the project eventually spread into the Parks and Public Works/Facilities Departments.
“In the beginning, we proposed two video surveillance solutions,” explains Paul James of VLCM Physical Security, “however, after several product demonstrations, it became clear that Verkada cameras would be the ideal solution due to the number of sites and the ability for Verkada to store footage at the camera rather than having to find ways to get the footage back to an NVR or server. The solution was also exceptionally easy to use and its flexibility was a no-brainer for Santa Clara.”
Verkada’s solutions also come with a ten-year warranty, giving city users the ability to easily access footage from virtually anywhere.
Verkada’s suite of security cameras are designed to replace obsolete equipment with technology that is smart, secure, and easy to manage. Setup is simple, with PoE cameras that are online and operating within minutes; they feature built-in storage; and they update automatically. With their centralized management software, users can view footage from anywhere, be alerted of unusual behaviors, and share camera feeds directly via link, email or SMS. The experience is streamlined and does not require an IT team to operate, which made the solution a great match for Santa Clara City.
As the city camera project picked up steam at the city offices, other city departments caught word and wanted their own Verkada security cameras. The Parks Department was suffering from vandalism and needed a solution to help document and help prevent any future vandalism from destroying their parks. The city also determined that it was important to put surveillance at the public works and power facilities.
Because Verkada’s video surveillance is cloud-based, the first step in securing the parks was to install WIFI connections, with the help of high-speed Internet provider: InfoWest.
“We went down and visited their parks, and figured out how to get power and internet to light poles, pavilions, and concession stands,” says James, “We did some cabling and by the end of the project we installed 21 Verkada Cameras at the city parks.”
Dick Morgan, a VLCM representative covering southern Utah, worked with Santa Clara City staff to determine camera placement at the public works and power facilities.
Altogether 50 to 60 cameras were used for this project.
Dustin Mouritsen, the Public Works Assistant Director for Santa Clara, calls the video surveillance project a success.
“I’m in the system every day, monitoring these cameras because it’s so easy to do, says Mouritsen, “I’ve never seen anything this easy - to get in and be able to monitor and find and see what I want to see.”
Santa Clara City’s improvements in surveillance monitoring not only deters vandalism, crime, and threats throughout their City but also increases the confidence its citizens have in the safety and security of their environment.
“This probably isn’t the end of the project,” says James. “We’re looking to expand into Verkada doors, alarms, environmental sensors, and guest check-in. This was our first city project working with Verkada solutions and we’re hoping to connect with more to help improve public safety.”
In the continued effort to improve security at Santa Clara City Hall and other local city offices, VLCM implemented Verkada Access Control - a modern and advanced door access control system that replaces traditional physical keys.
Verkada Access Control integrates with Verkada cameras, providing Santa Clara City with a more comprehensive security system across their many locations. The Verkada Access Control system allows for automated scheduling of door opening and closing times and provides auditing capabilities to track who enters and exits specific doors. It is managed from a single platform, Verkada Command, making it more convenient for staff at Santa Clara City to monitor and manage the system.
The implementation of Verkada cameras and access control system has significantly improved the security measures and ease of management at Santa Clara City, making it a safer place for its citizens. The project has been a massive success, and it has even sparked conversations for further security expansion throughout other facilities in the city. The Verkada solutions have made it easier for city officials to monitor the security of the city without the need for a dedicated IT team, making it a great match for Santa Clara City. With the continued partnership between VLCM and Santa Clara City, the community will continue to benefit from the advanced technology provided by Verkada.
Copyright VLCM | All Rights Reserved | Privacy
