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MEASURING THE PERCEIVED EFFECTS AND BEST PRACTICES

OF MOBILE OPEN AREA SURVEILLANCE TOWERS


Robert Blackwood and Read Hays
Loss Prevention Research Council
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INTRODUCTION

Parking areas, parks, and other outdoor venues support


local quality of life by enabling public access for gather-
ings, shopping, sightseeing and other legitimate activities.
Local governments, businesses and groups seek to encour-
age legitimate open area use by keeping them safe.

But the perceived fear of crime in open areas including car


theft and burglary, assault, crowd insurrection, rape, and
robbery presents an ongoing and serious security chal-
lenge for governments and businesses.

Law enforcement and private security aim to make open


areas safer by limiting criminal opportunities through
access and weapons control, by increasing potential of-
fenders’ fear of arrest with obvious surveillance, and by
decreasing offender motives by removing valuable targets
and reducing stress.

Convincing potential criminals through surveillance pro-


grams their crime attempts will be quickly detected and
result in swift and severe punishment is critical to protect-
ing open spaces. Surveillance towers provide obvious 360
degree surveillance of open spaces to support the crime
reduction mission.

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BACKGROUND

The ICx Tactical Platforms SkyWatch system is designed


to deter criminals, make legitimate open space users feel
safer, and provide security, operations and law enforce-
ment people with real-time decision-making data. This
research paper provides feedback on the SkyWatch tower
system from actual law enforcement and security users.
System users were asked to assess the impact of the sys-

SkyWatch at 2007 Mardi Gras tem’s use on offenders, place visitors and where possible,
on crime event levels.

The SkyWatch system provides a vantage point for surveil-


lance that can be used for monitoring in a variety of venues
including parking lots, crowds at special events, prisons
and on national or other borders. The SkyWatch system
highly mobile and can include day and night cameras, ra-
dios, PA systems and other equipment to increase its utili-
ty and effectiveness. While SkyWatch can be used in many
different locations, this research focused on the security of
parking lots for retail stores, malls and shopping centers.

83% of respondents indicated the


SkyWatch system was somewhat RESEARCH QUESTIONS
effective or effective at reducing
armed robberies. The SkyWatch system is designed to reduce crime by dis-
couraging potential offenders from deciding to use Sky-
Watch-protected parking lots as a location of opportunity
for theft, assaults or other crimes. The SkyWatch system
may also improve parking lot visitors’ and employee users’

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perception of safety. This study’s questions were designed 100% of respondents indicated the
to help gauge the impact of the SkyWatch system on actual SkyWatch system was effective as a
and perceived crime and risk reduction. proactive tool to deter crime.

RESEARCH METHOD

The Loss Prevention Research Council research team con-


tacted and interviewed twelve (12) SkyWatch users from a
contact list of 23 organizations for a response rate of 52%.
Of the twelve (12) responding users, eight (8) were police
law enforcement, three (3) were transit law enforcement,
and one (1) was college law enforcement. The team ana-
lyzed user comments to help determine system impact.

RESEARCH FINDING HIGHLIGHTS


MEASURING SUCCESS
A modest majority of respondents relied on changes in
crime statistics to measure system success with 58% in-
dicating they looked for changes when deploying the
SkyWatch system. The remaining 42% primarily relied
on comments (input) from citizens and business owners
(n=12).

SYSTEM EFFECTIVENESS
SkyWatch in use along the southern border
A series of questions were probed to determine SkyWatch
system effectiveness.
• Effectiveness Type
• Proactive - 100% of respondents indicated the Sky-
Watch system was either effective or very effective as a
proactive tool to deter crime (n=12).

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How effective is your SkyWatch system as a
proactive (deterring crime) tool?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police

Effective 5 2 0 7

Very effective 3 1 1 5

Total 8 3 1 12

• Responsive - 54% of respondents indicated the Sky-


Watch system was somewhat effective or very effective
as a responsive tool to detect and apprehend, 9% were
neutral, and 37% indicated it was somewhat ineffec-
tive or ineffective (n=11).

How effective is your SkyWatch system as a


responsive (detect and apprehend) tool?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Ineffective 2 0 0 2
Somewhat ineffective 1 1 0 2
Neutral 1 0 0 1
Somewhat effective 3 1 1 5
Very effective 1 0 0 1
No response 0 1 0 1

Total 8 3 1 12

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SPECIFIC CRIMES
• Armed robbery – 83% of respondents indicated the
SkyWatch system was somewhat effective or effective
at reducing armed robberies while 17% indicated it
was somewhat ineffective (n=6).
• Assaults and battery – 78% of respondents indi-
cated the SkyWatch system was somewhat effective
or effective at suppressing assaults and batteries while
22% indicated it was somewhat ineffective or ineffec-
tive (n=9).
• Sexual attacks – 86% of respondents indicated the
SkyWatch system was somewhat effective or effective SkyWatch is shown to reduce the incidence of car theft and burglary

at suppressing sexual attacks while 14% indicated it


was somewhat ineffective (n=7).
• Murder – 80% of respondents indicated the Sky-
Watch system was somewhat effective or effective at
suppressing murder while 20% indicated it was some-
what ineffective (n=5).
100% of respondents indicated the
• Auto thefts and burglaries – 100% of respondents
SkyWatch system was effective at
indicated the SkyWatch system was somewhat effec-
suppressing auto thefts and burglaries.
tive, effective or very effective at suppressing auto
thefts and burglaries (n=11).
• Carjackings – 91% of respondents indicated the
SkyWatch system was somewhat effective or effective
at suppressing carjackings while 9% indicated it was
somewhat ineffective (n=11).
• Violence and unrest - 64% of respondents indi-
cated the SkyWatch system was somewhat effective,
effective or very effective at suppressing violence and
unrest, while 27% were neutral 9% indicated it was in-
effective (n=11).

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Compared to Other Crime Reduction Tools – 100% of re-
spondents indicated that the SkyWatch system was some-
what effective, effective or very effective at suppressing
crime (n=12).
• Special law enforcement patrols – 92% of respondents
indicated special law enforcement patrols were some-
what effective, effective or very effective at suppress-
ing crime while 8% were neutral (n=12).
• Uniformed private security – 42% of respondents in-
dicated uniformed private security were somewhat
effective or effective at suppressing crime while 25%
SkyWatch in use at the Maricopa County “tent city” were neutral and 33% were somewhat ineffective, in-
effective or very ineffective (n=12).
• Visible CCTV cameras – 42% of respondents indicated
visible CCTV cameras were somewhat effective, effec-
tive or very effective at suppressing crime while 33%
were neutral and 25% were somewhat ineffective or
very ineffective (n=12).
91% of respondents indicated
the SkyWatch system was • High intensity lighting – 67% of respondents indicat-

somewhat effective or effective ed high intensity was somewhat effective or effective

at suppressing carjackings. at suppressing crime while 17% were neutral and 17%
were somewhat ineffective or very ineffective (n=12).

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Public Perception Compared to Other Crime Reduction
Tools – 92% of respondents indicated the public’s percep- 100% of respondents indicated that
tion was that the SkyWatch system was somewhat effec- the SkyWatch system was somewhat
tive, effective or very effective at suppressing crime and effective, effective or very effective
8% were neutral (n=12). at suppressing crime.
• Special law enforcement patrols – 92% of respondents
indicated that the public’s perception was that special
law enforcement patrols were somewhat effective, ef-
fective or very effective at suppressing crime while 8%
were neutral (n=12).
• Uniformed private security – 50% of respondents indi-
cated that the public’s perception was that uniformed
private security were somewhat effective or effective
at suppressing crime while 25% were neutral and 25%
were somewhat ineffective, ineffective or very ineffec-
tive (n=12).
• Visible CCTV cameras – 83% of respondents indicat-
ed that the public’s perception was that visible CCTV
cameras were somewhat effective, effective or very ef-
fective at suppressing crime while 17% were neutral
(n=12).
• High intensity lighting – 58% of respondents indicat-
ed that the public’s perception was that high intensity
was somewhat effective or effective at suppressing
crime while 42% were neutral (n=12).

Effectiveness Timing – 75 % of respondents indicated that


the positive effect of the SkyWatch system was realized
immediately, while 17% indicated after one week and 8%
after one month

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75 % of respondents indicated that SUMMARY AND IMPLICATIONS
the positive effect of the SkyWatch
system was realized immediately. Local governments, businesses and civic groups seek to
encourage legitimate park, shopping, and parking use by
keeping public venues safe. However fear of crime creates
avoidance behavior resulting in lower venue usage and tax
revenues.

This study looked at the effectiveness of SkyWatch as an


emerging law enforcement and private security tool de-
signed to limit criminal opportunities, while increasing
potential offenders’ fear of arrest with obvious surveil-
lance. Active SkyWatch users were interviewed across the
US to gain their perspectives on system effectiveness, de-
ployment tactics, and possible improvements.

The law enforcement and private SkyWatch users inter-


viewed revealed the system has proven effective in deter-
ring crime attempts, while providing citizens with greater
peace of mind.

All survey participants perceived the SkyWatch system to


be an effective proactive tool to deter crime. And most felt
the same way regarding its effectiveness as a reactive tool.

As a solution to specific crimes, a large majority of par-


ticipants believed the SkyWatch system to be a solution
to reducing those crimes. Inclusive are armed robberies,
assaults/battery, sexual attacks, murders, auto thefts/bur-
glaries, carjackings and violence/unrest.

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Additionally, all participants believed the SkyWatch sys- 54% of respondents indicated
tem to be more effective than other traditional crime re- the SkyWatch system was
duction tools such as special law enforcement patrols, uni- effective as a responsive tool
formed private security, visible CCTV cameras and high to detect and apprehend.
intensity lighting.

These positive crime reduction perspectives were also


equaled with respect to how participant’s feel the public
perceives the SkyWatch system.

LIMITATIONS AND FUTURE


RESEARCH

This research provided valuable insight into the use and


effects of surveillance towers, but further field research
would provide empirical validation of the towers’ crime
reduction and peace of mind impact. Field research would
also provide critical data on refining tower best practices
in different environments.

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WHITE PAPER

RESEARCH FINDINGS DETAIL


In addition to the above research highlights, information was collected from participants to better understand by
whom, how and when the SkyWatch system is used, as well as how it is funded and other service related details. Fol-
lowing are the results:

Organization Type by Organization State

Organization State Total


Texas Georgia Tennessee D.C. Florida Texas
Police 5 0 2 0 1 8
Transit 1 1 0 1 0 3
Misc 0 0 0 0 1 1

Total 6 1 2 1 2 12

Participant Title

Organization State Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Sergeant 1 0 0 1
Lt. 2 1 0 3
Captain 3 2 0 5
Asst/Deputy Chief 2 0 0 2
Chief 0 0 1 1
Total 8 3 1 12

Reduction of actual crime incidents

Organization State Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Neutral 1 1 0 2
Somewhat important 2 1 0 4
Important 3 1 0 4
Very important 1 0 1 2

Total 8 3 1 12

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Perception of increased safety to the public

Organization State Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Somewhat important 1 2 0 3
Important 1 1 0 2
Very important 6 0 1 7

Total 8 3 1 12

Perception of increased security to business owners

Organization State Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Very important 0 1 0 1
Neutral 0 0 1 1
Important 3 2 0 5
Very important 5 1 0 5

Total 8 3 1 12

How do you measure the success of your SkyWatch system?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
comments and stats 1 0 0 1
comments from citizens and business owners 1 0 0 1
comments from public 0 1 0 1
comments from public and business owners 1 0 0 1
comments of citizens and drop in crime rates 1 0 0 1
crime statistics 1 0 0 1
crime stats 0 1 1 2
crime stats before and after SkyWatch 1 0 0 1
crime stats where they deploy 0 1 0 1
reduction in crime rates 1 0 0 1
reduction of crime stats 1 0 0 1

Total 8 3 1 12

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WHITE PAPER

How effective is your SkyWatch system at suppressing armed robbery?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Somewhat ineffective 1 0 0 1
Somewhat effective 2 1 0 3
Effective 1 1 0 2
No response 4 1 1 6

Total 8 3 1 12

How effective is your SkyWatch system at suppressing assaults and battery?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Ineffective 0 0 1 1
Somewhat ineffective 1 0 0 1
Somewhat effective 3 0 0 3
Effective 2 2 0 4
No response 2 1 0 3
Total 8 3 1 12

How effective is your SkyWatch system at suppressing sexual attacks?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Somewhat ineffective 1 0 0 1
Somewhat effective 2 0 0 2
Effective 1 2 1 4
No response 4 1 0 5

Total 8 3 1 12

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WHITE PAPER

How effective is your SkyWatch system at suppressing murder?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Somewhat ineffective 1 0 0 1
Somewhat effective 2 0 0 2
Effective 1 1 0 2
No response 4 2 1 7

Total 8 3 1 12

How effective is your SkyWatch system at suppressing auto thefts and burglaries?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Somewhat ineffective 1 0 0 1
Somewhat effective 3 2 0 5
Effective 3 1 1 5
No response 1 0 0 1

Total 8 3 1 12

How effective is your SkyWatch system at suppressing carjackings?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Somewhat ineffective 0 1 0 1
Somewhat effective 6 0 1 7
Effective 1 2 0 3
No response 1 0 0 1

Total 8 3 1 12

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WHITE PAPER

How effective is your SkyWatch system at suppressing violence and unrest?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Ineffective 0 0 1 1
Neutral 2 1 0 3
Somewhat effective 2 0 0 2
Effective 2 2 0 4
Very effective 1 0 0 1
No response 1 0 0 1

Total 8 3 1 12

How effective are the following in suppressing crime compared to special law enforcement patrols?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Neutral 0 1 0 1
Somewhat effective 4 1 0 5
Effective 3 1 1 5
Very effective 1 0 0 1

Total 8 3 1 12

How effective are the following in suppressing crime compared to uniformed private security personnel?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Very effective 0 1 0 1
Ineffective 1 0 1 2
Somewhat ineffective 1 0 0 1
Neutral 2 1 0 3
Somewhat effective 2 0 0 2
Effective 2 1 0 3

Total 8 3 1 12

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WHITE PAPER

How effective are the following in suppressing crime compared to visible CCTV cameras?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Very ineffective 0 1 0 1
Somewhat effective 1 0 1 2
Neutral 4 0 0 4
Somewhat effective 1 1 0 2
Effective 1 1 0 2
Very effective 1 0 0 1

Total 8 3 1 12

How effective are the following in suppressing crime compared to high intensity lighting?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Very ineffective 0 1 0 1
Somewhat ineffective 1 0 0 1
Neutral 2 0 0 2
Somewhat effective 3 1 0 4
Effective 2 1 1 4

Total 8 3 1 12

How effective are the following in suppressing crime: SkyWatch system?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Somewhat effective 1 1 0 2
Effective 4 1 0 5
Very effective 3 1 1 5

Total 8 3 1 12

How effective does the public likely believe the following are in suppressing crime compared to special law enforce-
ment patrols?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Neutral 0 1 0 1
Somewhat effective 1 0 0 1
Effective 4 2 1 7
Very effective 3 0 0 3

Total 8 3 1 12

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WHITE PAPER

How effective does the public likely believe the following are in suppressing crime compared to uniformed private secu-
rity personnel?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Somewhat ineffective 2 0 1 3
Neutral 2 1 0 3
Somewhat effective 2 1 0 3
Effective 1 1 0 2
Very effective 1 0 0 1

Total 8 3 1 12

How effective does the public likely believe the following are in suppressing crime compared to visible CCTV cameras?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Neutral 2 0 0 2
Somewhat effective 5 1 0 6
Effective 0 2 0 2
Very effective 1 0 1 2

Total 8 3 1 12

How effective does the public likely believe the following are in suppressing crime compared to high intensity lighting?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Neutral 5 0 0 5
Somewhat effective 2 1 1 4
Effective 0 2 0 2
Very effective 1 0 0 1

Total 8 3 1 12

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WHITE PAPER

How effective does the public likely believe the following are in suppressing crime: SkyWatch system?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Neutral 0 0 0 5
Somewhat effective 2 1 1 4
Effective 2 2 0 2
Very effective 4 0 0 1

Total 8 3 1 12

Considering all the previous questions, in total, how effective do you consider SkyWatch system to be?

Organization Type Total


Police Transit Misc Police
Neutral 0 1 0 1
Somewhat effective 2 0 0 2
Effective 2 1 0 3
Very effective 4 1 1 6

Total 8 3 1 12

If the perceived effectiveness of the SkyWatch system is “4” or greater, how quickly was the positive effect realized?

Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

After 1 month 0 0 1 1

After 1 week 2 0 0 2

Immediately 6 3 0 9

Total 8 3 1 12

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WHITE PAPER

Do you “man” your SkyWatch system with law enforcement?

Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

No 2 0 0 2

Yes 6 2 1 9

2.00 0 1 0 1

Total 8 3 1 12

Do you “man” your SkyWatch system with private security?

Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

No 8 2 1 11

Yes 0 1 0 1

Total 8 3 1 12

Do you “man” your SkyWatch system with citizen’s crime watch?

Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

No 5 2 1 8

Yes 3 1 0 4

Total 8 3 1 12

Do you typically deploy the SkyWatch system in conjunction with a vehicle(s) to respond to observed incidents, etc?

Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

No 4 0 0 4

Yes 4 3 1 8

Total 8 3 1 12

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WHITE PAPER

Do you typically deploy your SkyWatch system daily?


Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

No 3 0 0 3

Yes 5 3 1 8

Total 8 3 1 12

Do you typically deploy your SkyWatch system weekly?


Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

No 2 0 0 2

Yes 6 3 1 10

Total 8 3 1 12

Do you typically deploy your SkyWatch system on weekends?


Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

Yes 8 3 1 12

Total 8 3 1 12

Do you typically deploy your SkyWatch system for holidays?


Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

No 0 0 1 1

Yes 8 3 0 11

Total 8 3 1 12

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WHITE PAPER

Do you typically deploy your SkyWatch system for special events?


Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

Yes 8 3 1 12

Total 8 3 1 12

How many hours do you man the SkyWatch system during an average week?
Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

2.00 2 0 0 2
4.00 2 0 0 2
5.00 1 0 0 1
8.00 1 0 0 1
10.00 1 1 0 2
48.00 0 1 0 1
70.00 0 0 1 1
84.00 1 0 0 1
168.00 0 1 0 1

Total 8 3 1 12

Do you typically deploy (extend) the SkyWatch system when it’s unmanned in the field?
Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

No 1 0 0 1

Yes 7 3 1 11

Total 8 3 1 12

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WHITE PAPER

If you do typically leave your field-deployed SkyWatch system extended, do you try to make it look occupied using
dummies, moving lights, etc?
Organization Type Total
Police Transit Misc Police

No 5 2 1 8

Yes 2 1 0 3

N/A 1 0 0 1

Total 8 3 1 12

If you do typically leave your field-deployed SkyWatch system extended, how many hours a week is it extended?
Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police


.00 0 0 1 1
10.00 1 0 0 1
24.00 2 0 0 2
32.00 0 1 0 1
40.00 0 1 0 1
84.00 1 0 0 1
N/A 1 0 0 1
150.00 1 0 0 1
180.00 1 0 0 1
192.00 1 0 0 1
250.00 0 1 0 1

Total 8 3 1 12

Do you typically deploy the SkyWatch system?


Organization Type Total
Police Transit Misc Police

Overtly 8 3 1 12

Total 8 3 1 12

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If you deploy the system overtly, how do you draw attention to your SkyWatch: Paint Scheme?

Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

No 0 1 0 1

Yes 8 2 1 11

Total 8 3 1 12

If you deploy the system overtly, how do you draw attention to your SkyWatch: Flashing Lights?
Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

No 6 2 0 8

Yes 2 1 1 4

Total 8 3 1 12

If you deploy the system overtly, how do you draw attention to your SkyWatch: Signage?

Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

No 2 1 0 3

Yes 6 2 1 9

Total 8 3 1 12

If you deploy the system overtly, how do you draw attention to your SkyWatch: Barricades?
Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

No 3 0 0 3

Yes 5 3 1 9

Total 8 3 1 12

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WHITE PAPER

Do you deploy the SkyWatch system at the following locations?

Organization Type Total

Public Parking Lots Police Transit Misc Police

No 0 1 1 2

Yes 8 2 0 10

Total 8 3 1 12

Organization Type Total

Private Parking Lots Police Transit Misc Police

No 1 0 0 1

Yes 7 3 1 11

Total 8 3 1 12

Organization Type Total

Parks Police Transit Misc Police

No 6 3 1 8

Yes 2 0 0 4

Total 8 3 1 12

Organization Type Total

Special Event Locations Police Transit Misc Police

No 0 1 1 2

Yes 8 2 0 10

Total 8 3 1 12

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WHITE PAPER

Organization Type Total

Crime Scenes Police Transit Misc Police

No 4 2 1 7

Yes 4 1 0 5

Total 8 3 1 12

For the previous types of areas where you deploy your SkyWatch system, do you deploy it at the entrance?

Organization Type Total

Police Transit Misc Police

No 6 1 1 8

Yes 2 2 0 4

Total 8 3 1 12

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For more information on the SkyWatch mobile surveillance towers and related products, contact
ICx Technologies.

1.866.458.ICXT(4298)

www.icxt.com

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