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Accomplishments for Core Goal #8 Closed Circuit Television (CCTV)

CCTV
At the direction of Governor O’Malley, Maryland began an effort to create a statewide closed circuit television (CCTV) system by identifying and cataloging cameras and capabilities, networking those cameras, and providing an interface so that necessary video can be disseminated where it is needed.  The cataloging and networking of cameras coupled with the development of a legal and policy framework for video-sharing will support a truly statewide camera system that integrates State, local, and private video. The State has also continued to build out new state-of-the-art CCTV systems at critical infrastructure and other locations and is pursuing pairing cameras with companion technologies such as license plate recognition and radiation sensors.  Following are key projects and accomplishments:

• Built a shared network of more than 800 state and locally owned real-time CCTV cameras that are available to first responders and Emergency Operation Centers across Maryland. Maryland State and local agencies own and operate CCTV camera networks that use multiple types of cameras and video formats. To develop a single, statewide network of real-time video streams but still allow agencies to use the types of CCTV cameras that best fit their needs, the Maryland State Highway Administration (SHA) developed a technology transcodes video from different camera types into a standard format that can be transmitted across previously incompatible. In 2007, the SHA started with a shared network of 266 state-owned highway traffic cameras transcoded into a standard format and shared with state and local first responders. These live video streams allow state and local public safety agencies to better manage traffic incidents, special events, or emergency evacuations. They are also formatted to be streamed on tablets, smart phones, and other mobile devices. Hundreds of videos are also available to the public through the State Highway Administration’s Coordinated Highway Action Response Team web site, the Maryland 511 traveler web site, and OSPREY, MEMA’s online emergency mapping application.

• Completed an inventory of more than 8,400 state-owned CCTV components in 2009. In 2007 the State did not know how many cameras it owned, where those cameras were located, or who monitored them. At Governor O’Malley’s direction, the State conducted an inventory of all CCTV cameras and systems controlled by the State and included essential information such as camera type, video format, analytic capabilities, technical specifications, and usage. The census was completed in 2009 and identified more than 8,400 components on both fixed facilities and vehicles. It is currently being updated to include locally-owned CCTV assets.

• Integrated vehicle-based CCTV for emergency response into the State’s shared CCTV network. In addition to fixed highway and roadway traffic cameras, SHA is able to transmit live video feeds from dozens of vehicle-based “dash cam” video feeds that provide on-site video coverage of emergency incidents. Immediately following Hurricane Irene in 2011, for example, live video from a Baltimore County Police Department helicopter showing flooded parts of the Severn River was streamed across SHA’s shared network and shown in the State Emergency Operation Center for an audience of first responders and damage assessors.

• Launched outreach effort to local jurisdictions to share non-traffic video. Currently, there are seven local Maryland jurisdictions that contribute live feeds from CCTV videos to SHA’s shared network. This video includes nearly all of the State’s highway traffic cameras, but it includes few camera feeds from CCTV systems owned by police departments and no cameras owned by private sector interest. To continue to develop the State’s shared CCTV network into a tool that connects multiple CCTV systems, helps police departments monitor key public resources, and provides life saving situational awareness to first responders, Maryland’s fusion center is leading an effort to network and exchange video feeds from state and local Maryland police departments. A new Statewide CCTV Coordinator position has been established to coordinate development of this robust CCTV network with the State’s local and private sector partners.

• Continued to build and network CCTV camera systems to protect and secure major transportation assets. For more information on Maryland’s progress in building CCTV systems to secure its passenger rail, port, and highway operations, please see Goal 12—Transportation Security.