Hopewell, Virginia

Background

Established in 1613, Hopewell, Virginia, is one of the oldest continuously occupied settlements in the United States. Known as the "Wonder City" for its resilience, Hopewell has continually adapted and risen through adversity – including a devastating fire in 1915 and economic shifts. Today, with a population exceeding 22,000, the historic city has modernized its security system to improve public safety and the quality of life for its residents.

In response to growing safety needs, Hopewell turned to Verkada and Gridless to adopt a hybrid cloud video security system in key areas. This initiative, led by Deputy Chief Donnie Reid of the Hopewell Police Department and Chief Information Officer Jay Rezin, has equipped the city with over 90 security cameras, including over 20 CH52-E Multisensors. This deployment has drastically improved Hopewell’s ability to manage and streamline emergency responses.

The Challenge

The initiative began from a simple – but significant – need: A live-feed security system that local authorities could easily manage and remotely access.

"Before Verkada, we had no security cameras in the city that we could directly access and control from afar," explained Deputy Chief Reid. This gap in coverage meant delays and inefficiencies in handling incidents.  To overcome these challenges, the team sought a cloud-managed system that could deliver real-time insights and swift responses.

Why Verkada?

The installation of Verkada's video security system with Gridless marked a pivotal shift in Hopewell’s approach to maintaining law and order. Over the past year, this technology has consistently played a crucial role in resolving three homicides and numerous other cases – including burglaries, a firebombing, and a hostage crisis. 

"The system’s impact has been immediate, helping us solve numerous cases effectively," said Deputy Chief Reid.

Partnering with Gridless Power 

The collaboration between Verkada's security solutions and Gridless's power systems has extended Hopewell's reach to previously inaccessible areas, providing uninterrupted operation even in remote locations. 

"Gridless has enabled us to place cameras in strategic locations without traditional power access, significantly widening our video security coverage," noted CIO Jay Rezin. 

Quantifiable Success and Community Impact

"During our initial deployment year, we observed a 38% reduction in major crime rates in the community." Deputy Chief Reid shared, “This decrease has maintained its trajectory into the current year.”

One of the most significant indicators of this partnership's success is the 38% decrease in crime recorded last year. This reduction reflects an improvement in law enforcement efficiency, along with a growing sense of safety among Hopewell’s residents. The community has benefited from quicker police response times and more effective case resolutions, bolstered by the clarity of footage and reliability of hybrid cloud infrastructure.

“People know the cameras are here and this technology is being deployed. I hope that is a form of deterrence for future criminal activity,” added Deputy Chief Reid, “If crime does happen, we will continue to utilize Verkada’s technology to help solve these cases. With the public knowing they are protected in this way, it's also given them a sense of safety and peace of mind.”

Objective Video Evidence

The watermarked footage has also proven invaluable in court cases. The local court system has noted the high quality of video footage now available, which has led to more conclusive legal outcomes.

"The clarity and detail of the footage from Verkada cameras have significantly improved the quality of evidence we present in court, leading to more positive feedback from the judiciary," Deputy Chief Reid said. 

This objective evidence is crucial not only for solving crimes but also for preventing miscarriages of justice with clear video footage.

Detailed Vehicle Analytics

License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras and Vehicle Analytics on other Verkada cameras assist the police with vehicle identification. These solutions allow for real-time tracking of vehicles across not just Hopewell, but all of Virginia.

“Through Verkada cameras, we can identify the direction of travel, find specific types of vehicles, and search the time frame of the incident.” detailed Rezin. Vehicle analytics use the cameras’ onboard processing capabilities to detect and analyze vehicles appearing in frame. High-resolution images are taken and examined for vehicle objects before selected images are sent to Verkada’s cloud-based Command platform. From Command, the team can then filter historical clips and search for vehicles by time, date, body type, and color.

Community Safety with Respect to Privacy

"Our goal is to create a safer, more connected Hopewell, where technology empowers us to protect and serve our community better," Deputy Chief Reid emphasized. 

The positive impact of Verkada and Gridless's technologies has prompted Hopewell to consider expanding this infrastructure into other municipal areas and exploring partnerships with local housing authorities further enhance community safety. “The technology has allowed us to keep people and properties safe in a privacy-sensitive way," added Rezin. Privacy features include obscuring identities in video feeds with cameras that automatically blur faces and video streams. Role-based access, live-only viewing for certain users, and granular permissions are also included in a Privacy and Security Checklist to help team members achieve best practices.

Looking Ahead

As Hopewell continues to develop its security capabilities, this partnership stands as a model for other municipalities aiming to modernize their public safety strategies. The integration of innovative technologies from Verkada and Gridless demonstrates a commitment to leveraging modern physical security solutions, setting a new standard for urban safety in the historic city.

“We’re happy with how the products have assisted our investigations,” concluded Deputy Chief Reid.

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