Lancaster, California

Background

The City of Lancaster is home to nearly 170,000 residents in northern Los Angeles County. Dedicated to superior public safety services, the city leverages state-of-the-art technology and data-driven decision-making to uphold the peace and enhance the quality of life in Lancaster.

Rodrick Armalin, a veteran law enforcement leader with over 34 years of experience, is the first Chief of Police for the newly formed Lancaster Police Department. Under his leadership, Lancaster has adopted a hybrid policing model, partnering with the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department (LASD) to provide modern and community-led policing services at all levels.

The Challenge

"I care deeply about making Lancaster a great place to live and work.”

Crime reduction and prevention are key priorities for Chief Armalin. Since his appointment, he has been focused on crime prevention programs and scaling these initiatives to meet the growing needs of Lancaster's diverse community. The move towards a more integrated security system aimed to centralize security operations, speed up incident response, and simplify management. "When we first looked into updating our security infrastructure, we encountered  significant limitations with our old systems, which involved outdated cameras connected to on-premise DVRs.”

Why Verkada?

Verkada supports the Lancaster Police Department’s strategic and coordinated effort to address crime and optimize daily operations. From the Command software interface, Chief Armalin and his team can manage and respond to incidents throughout the city. They receive real-time alerts for security events across an integrated product suite, including cameras, access control, alarms, air quality sensors, intercoms, and workplace solutions. If officers receive a report of suspicious activity, they can log into Command from their phone, computer, or tablet to retrieve relevant information.

"Our all-in-one platform allows us to efficiently oversee health, safety, and security, enhancing community protection."

Effective Crime Solving and Faster Investigations

Through Incident Management tools, officers consolidate video evidence from multiple cameras into a single, shareable repository for each incident. By organizing a large volume of incidents and evidence in a structured manner, teams can provide more context to each incident, while improving the clarity and detail of security reports.

"This technology not only supports rapid law enforcement response but also serves as a deterrent."

With features like AI-powered search and People/Vehicle Analytics integrated into Verkada Command, it takes seconds for teams to locate footage across their extensive camera network. Once the footage is identified, they can weave the clips chronologically and craft the complete story of an incident. This allows investigators to quickly review and understand the sequence of events, speeding up the investigation process.

Objective Video Evidence for an Unbiased, Consistent Video Record

In a felony vandalism case at Skytower Park, the police captured clear footage of the perpetrator, who was also implicated in grand theft auto. 

"We apprehended a group involved in graffiti at the park, including an armed individual. It was Verkada’s technology that caught the incident and provided ‘eyes on the ground’.”

The city uses the cellular gateway to deploy Verkada security products anywhere with power and cell signal, including boulevards and train stations. Cameras retain up to 365 days of footage onboard each device; by combining the on-device storage with unlimited cloud archiving, the team can reliably gather and analyze evidence to support investigations over extended periods –  without the hassle of maintaining external servers. Additionally, Verkada Verify allows officers to confirm the authenticity of video archives and other incident-related assets downloaded from Command.

Real-Time Intrusion Detection, Deterrence, and Response

Alarms and professional monitoring empower teams to act swiftly by alerting relevant parties when a situation arises.

“Verkada streamlines security operations, allowing for real-time monitoring and swift response to incidents.”

During one incident at a city parking lot, an unsanctioned gathering of over 100 vehicles was detected early through an alarm trigger set for after-hours motion. Professional monitoring agents confirmed the incident through integrated cameras, promptly alerting local law enforcement. The police immediately took action, leading to the quick dispersal of the crowd.

Balancing Security with Convenience

In public buildings like the community center, Joe Haggard, the City’s Assistant Director of Finance & IT, maintains a balance between ease of use and security. Employees can remotely lock or unlock doors, and only authorized personnel have the credentials to enter buildings at designated times. According to Joe:

"We deployed Verkada’s complete suite of security products, enhancing building access and control. A major highlight was the convenience, which was widely appreciated for its simplicity and effectiveness."

Cloud-managed access control integrates with cameras so teams can promptly view and investigate door-based incidents. Workplace solutions also streamline visitor management and mailroom operations, helping maintain the integrity and efficiency of city services.

Environmental Monitoring for Public Health and Safety

Air quality sensors send alerts if smoking or vaping is detected, or if there are significant changes in air quality related to fire season. This proactive approach not only mitigates potential health hazards but also helps prevent behaviors that could lead to more damage or disruptions within public spaces. In southern California, wildfires can occur at any time throughout the year, but the potential is always higher during dry seasons. 

"These tools help us create safe and healthy environments for families and residents.”

Looking Ahead

"The right solutions empower communities to improve not only safety but also the quality of life. Verkada’s solutions, everything from cameras to air quality sensors, play a big role.”

Starting with a successful pilot at the community center, the technology is now being expanded to cover more public spaces and government buildings. Case in point, a new Intelligence Crime Analysis Center (ICAC) will feature an LED wall displaying live feeds from Verkada cameras to increase situational awareness. As Lancaster evolves its public safety tactics, Verkada’s solutions will be instrumental in merging community-focused strategies with advanced security measures.

Explore the City of Lancaster: cityoflancasterca.gov

To learn more about Verkada for Public Safety, visit the Public Sector Solutions page.