Milestone Systems’ IP video management software (VMS) has been installed across the city of Santo Domingo, Chile, to provide “digital eyes” in support of the city’s efforts to reduce crime and improve living conditions for its entire territory, including rural zones.

“For the community, security is a very important topic,” said Cristian Fuentealba, a spokesperson for the Citizen Security Department of Santo Domingo. “We are one of the larger regions in the country and we’re adjoined with the Port of San Antonio, where about 80% of the crimes in Santo Domingo originate.”

Faced with growing crime rates, dissatisfied citizens and fleeing businesses, the Chilean municipality of Santo Domingo set out to create a safer city. City officials for the coastal community of about 10,000 decided to deploy a citywide IP video surveillance system. The system is used for general surveillance, situational awareness, traffic control, and tracking suspicious persons and vehicles.

Milestone video management software with the Xprotect Smart Client and Milestone Mobile interface manages network video cameras from Axis Communications and Bosch Security, using Radwin wireless data links, Supermicro servers, and a license plate recognition solution from Natural Labs. Cameras are in and around the city, including a mix of pan/tilt/zoom, fixed and night vision cameras.

The system and integration was designed and installed by Web PCX Ingeniería Ltda., who also provide on-going support. Cristian Laude, a Web PCX representative, explained that one of the main requirements of the system was that it be a centralised solution, but able to reach surrounding locations.

“We cover the city, including business areas, schools, and medical facilities, as well as provide through the network connections to remote areas,” Laude explained.

The system was designed as a hybrid solution, with the Milestone IP VMS carried across multiple fibre optic and wireless networks. Laude added that the Axis cameras and the wireless links from Radwin have worked perfectly. The license plate recognition solution from Neural Labs with the Bosch cameras has provided excellent results for the high-speed LPR solution.

With this implementation of the video surveillance system, Santo Domingo has made great progress in municipal security, and is now recognised as the safest community in the region. According to officials, the surveillance system is easy to use and provides real-time live monitoring as well as immediate playback of recorded video.

“Thanks to this implementation, we have been able to maintain optimal levels of citizen security, got Santo Domingo recognised as the safest community in the region,” said Fuentealba. “This has created a new interest in our community, and we see businesses returning and investing here. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved, and it’s rewarding to know that other communities, such as Las Condes, are following our lead with this system,” said Fuentealba.