Police in the Belgian city of Lokeren have an upgraded video surveillance system featuring 120 Sony security cameras including the SNC-VM772R 4K mini-dome.
Like any city, Lokeren faces crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour in its streets, public buildings and open areas. Until recently, the municipal police force relied on analogue cameras for detecting and responding to incidents. However, these cameras’ limited resolution and image quality often prevented efforts to prosecute people as they could not be identified. Lokeren police and city politicians pledged to upgrade the video surveillance. In particular, the authorities sought to improve recognition of suspects caught on camera – an even greater challenge at night or on dull, poorly-lit days.
Security firm DS-Consulting recommended upgrading Lokeren’s video security to a mix of Full HD and 4K network surveillance cameras. A competitive comparison by DS-Consulting saw Sony’s outdoor mini-dome and fixed box-type cameras compare well with other brands.
Emiel De Smet of DS-Consulting said: “There was only one choice when we compared the image quality of Sony’s security cameras against other market-leading brands. They offer so much more detail and clarity – and that makes all the difference in critical surveillance applications.”
The SNC-VM772R 4K minidome camera delivered significantly better images in low-light the firm added. The camera’s large-sized Exmor R CMOS image sensor allows it to capture more light than ordinary sensors. This allows it to ‘see’ suspicious activity clearly in almost complete darkness, where less sensitive cameras struggle, the firm said.
As fitted by Belgian installer Seris Technology, the surveillance solution features a video management platform by Genetec Security Center plus 120 Sony cameras, providing 24/7 coverage of city centre streets plus public buildings including Lokeren’s police station, central library and city hall.
The new cameras give police a clearer picture of crime in the city streets, assisting with the identification of suspicious persons even at night and in low light. Round-the-clock video footage is routed via an optical fibre network, where images are monitored in the central dispatch office at police headquarters. Since the cameras’ installation, city police report a reduction in crime.
