Axis Communications, a provider for the network video market, announced that, as part of a comprehensive and discreet security solution put together by partner Lenel Systems International, it contributed more than two dozen thermal, fixed PTZ network dome cameras to this year's Little League World Series held in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Every August the Little League International World Series attracts more than 300,000 Little Leaguers, families, fans and international dignitaries to the small town of South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, for a two-week tournament to decide the world champion. With a population of fewer than 6,500 residents, providing ample security during this summer surge could easily overwhelm the community's existing resources if not for the dedication of Little League Baseball's security staff, cooperating law enforcement agencies and participating vendors.
Each year the Little League World Series staff is determined to improve its security to make the tournament one of the safest in the country without disturbing the fun and excitement of Little League Baseball. Despite an annual ramp-up of security personnel and resources, Little League Baseball determined that supplementing its permanent video surveillance system with additional network video equipment was an essential element of its total security program.
“Keeping participants, family and fans safe during the two-week competition required a massive, coordinated effort involving local, state and federal law enforcement in addition to a contingency security force that patrolled the complex during the World Series,” said Jim Ferguson, Director of Security for Little League Baseball and Softball. “We were especially grateful to Lenel Systems International and Axis Communications for their contributions to the security of our event.”
This year marks the 12th year that Lenel, has provided products and services to the event. The system included Axis network cameras deployed around the stadium and dormitory complex where the international athletes stayed during their two-week games. Lenel's video management system allowed the security personnel to control and monitor the network cameras remotely. And Lenel analytics tracked objects left behind, detected people approaching secured areas, helped locate missing individuals and verified badge holder IDs when they were swiped through access control systems.
Despite the care-free, family atmosphere, the subtle presence of video cameras was instrumental in maintaining crowd control, locating lost children in a sea of spectators, preventing unauthorized entry into the dormitory complex and counting the crowd size.
In addition to PTZ, fixed and wireless network cameras, Axis also provided several of its thermal network cameras to protect the stadium and dormitory perimeters at night. The cameras used thermal imaging as part of a total network video solution to detect people, objects and incidents in complete darkness and difficult visual conditions such as smoke, haze, dust and light fog.
“We were excited to play a continuing role with Lenel Systems International and Little League Baseball to help protect the largest gathering of international youth sports teams in the world,” said Fredrik Nilsson, GM for North America, Axis Communications. “Whether installed at baseball fields, hospitals, university campuses, schools or other demanding environments, network cameras provide superior image quality and are very easy to deploy, making them perfect for temporary systems.”