The data-driven video technologies behind Nassau’s reduction in crime

As one of the main tourist destinations in the Caribbean, The Bahamas welcomes nearly seven million visitors every year.

Unfortunately, the City of Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, has seen increased crime in certain parts of the city over the last several years from pickpockets and vehicular crimes to armed robberies and kidnappings.  

Policing, safety, and security

Based in Nassau, the Royal Bahamas Police Force (RBPF) employs over 3,000 officers and provides policing, safety, and security services to residents and visitors.

However, the RBPF was challenged to keep up with the rising tide of criminal activity. The government fully supported the RBPF’s initiative to expand the country's surveillance system as a strategic tool in the fight against crime. 

Track and monitor, situational awareness

The RBPF added system infrastructure and hundreds of new IP-video cameras to increase police presence"

“There are known criminal hotspots across the city that people of interest frequent," said Ethan Munnings, CTIO at Proficient Business Services, Bahamas, and the lead engineer for the City of Nassau video surveillance project.

“To curb incidents in those areas and to better track and monitor suspects, gain situational awareness, and to be able to help locate or identify people after leaving the scene, the RBPF added system infrastructure and hundreds of new IP-video cameras to increase police presence. One of those areas, for example, is the surroundings of the house of the Prime Minister.” 

Milestone video management system

In 2011, the city set up its initial Milestone video management system, overseeing around 250 cameras. Later, in 2019, Nassau officials collaborated with Proficient Business Services to integrate almost 500 additional cameras and edge devices into the system.

A restructuring of the network infrastructure was required to consolidate all data feeds to the city's Real-Time Crime centre. The new crime centre, located at the police headquarters, opened in February 2021, acting as the Royal Bahamas Police Force's technological epicentre. 

Innovative technology Integration 

In early 2020, the Ministry of National Security of the Bahamas began expanding its existing Milestone XProtect video management system. Milestone's open platform data-driven video technology system is compatible with various hardware and software vendors.

The upgrade led to redesigning of the network infrastructure and the addition of over 500 high-quality network cameras from Axis Communications.

• Facial recognition and video analytics

ShotSpotter, the gunshot detection system was also integrated into the greatly expanded system

The project involved several Milestone technology partners, including system servers from Rasilient Systems, and video analytics applications such as Licence Plate Recognition (LPR) and facial recognition from BriefCam.

ShotSpotter, the gunshot detection system from SoundThinking, was also integrated into the greatly expanded system. 

• Artificial intelligence and deep learning

Within the Milestone VMS, the cameras and servers integrate with BriefCam’s video analytics, providing facial recognition and person/object tracking.

By harnessing the power of artificial intelligence and deep learning, integrated BriefCam technologies transform video data into valuable insights for rapid video review, search, and real-time alerting.

• Two types of LPR

The system also offers two types of Licence Plate Recognition. The first is via the Milestone LPR add-on, and the second is through direct integration with BriefCam.

 A team of 14 operators relies on Auvik for device monitoring and SolarWinds to manage the core network. The fiber network, with a 10G backbone, is based on Cisco technologies. 

Traffic safety revolutionised 

Video technology was pivotal in this endeavor, with fatal accidents in New Providence dropping to 33 in 2019

Beyond enhancing security, Nassau's updated city video system has proved instrumental in monitoring traffic accidents and holding drivers responsible for their behaviour. Eyewitness News from Nassau reported 69 deaths related to traffic in 2018.

After witnessing an almost 30 percent surge in fatalities from 2017 to 2018, authorities committed to reducing traffic-related deaths and accidents. Video technology was pivotal in this endeavour, with fatal accidents in New Providence dropping to 33 in 2019. 

• Traffic surveillance

“The cameras we have strategically installed on traffic lights around the city use LPR integrated with Milestone Systems, which have helped control hit-and-run accidents,” said Munnings.

“There have been cases of pedestrians being hit by vehicles that didn’t stop; now the police can track those vehicles and bring those drivers to justice. The new surveillance system has also helped prevent human abductions.” 

• Technology and innovation

For more than 12 years, the City of Nassau has been relying on and expanding the capabilities of its video surveillance system. With the help of technologies and deep integration within an open platform VMS ecosystem, the city's authorities and police have effectively addressed evolving challenges to ensure safety for both residents and tourists.  

“Technology and innovation have taken off at the speed of light and this will only accelerate. Embracing the innovations that improve police work is no longer optional," said Zhivago Dames, Assistant Commis.