The Roberto Santos Stadium, better known as the Pituasu Stadium, located in Salvador, Brazil, did not previously have any surveillance equipment. The lack of security resulted in a high number of conflicts, complaints of thefts inside the stadium and delays when military police intervened on behalf of victims. The stadium has undergone renovations costing US$31.8 million, including installation of 115 Axis network cameras. All the cameras are IP-based, making Pituasu the first 100-percent digital stadium in the country. The integrator, Axis’ partner in the region, was responsible for the project. Other partners included Digifort and Network1.
The Roberto Santos Stadium, better known as the Pituasu Stadium, located in Salvador, Brazil, did not previously have any surveillance equipment. The lack of security resulted in a high number of conflicts, complaints of thefts inside the stadium and delays when military police intervened on behalf of victims.
The stadium has undergone renovations costing US$31.8 million, including installation of 115 Axis network cameras. All the cameras are IP-based, making Pituasu the first 100-percent digital stadium in the country. The integrator, Axis' partner in the region, was responsible for the project. Other partners included Digifort and Network1.
According to the Ministry of Sports Commission, Pituasu Stadium has the most modern camera surveillance system of any stadium in Brazil today. With a more secure arena, Pituasu is one of the candidate stadiums in the state of Bahia to become an official training center during the FIFA 2014 World Cup.
“So far, in all matches that have been contested at the stadium since the inauguration, there has not been a single fault in the installed equipment. Our internal security personnel as well as the military police are very satisfied,” said Helio Ferraro, Director of Pituasu Stadium.
Long-term plans include showing camera images on the stadium big screen. Currently, the big screen shows only graphics, such as the scoreboard or other predefined information. This is the largest big screen in Brazil, Ferraro said, with a full color display of very high definition, using LED technology and measuring 7 by 10 meters.
“If the operator detects the beginning of hostility in a section of the grandstand during the match, he can put this image on the big screen — the police can identify those involved more easily. This can help to avoid conflict, perhaps also including an audio message,” said Marcone Cerqueira, Director of Technology, Flashnet. Cerqueira also believes that facial recognition and vehicle LPR systems would complement the existing security system.