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When Hurricane Sandy hit the East Coast on October 29, 2012, the Statue of Liberty was on the frontlines. The storm surges and high winds caused extensive damage to the utilities infrastructure on both Liberty Island and Ellis Island. It took more than eight months of renovations and repairs before the Statue of Liberty could be reopened to the public on July 4, 2013. As part of the reconstructive efforts, Lady Liberty received a state-of-the-art security system from Total Recall Corporation, a New York-based security integration company.

The new security system covers both Liberty Island, where the Statue is located, and Ellis Island, the site of the new security operations center. Total Recall designed the system using equipment provided by a team of industry-leading technology partners which included RGB Spectrum. The company's MediaWall 2900 Display Processor adds powerful image processing capabilities to the installation by enabling the high-resolution display of camera feeds on a 2x2 video wall.

"Our MediaWall processor configures real-time information display on the video wall" said Bob Marcus, president and CEO of RGB Spectrum. "Operating with 24/7 reliability, the processor enhances operator awareness, essential for a security system tasked with protecting such an important part of America's culture and history. RGB Spectrum is honored to be part of the system protecting the Statue of Liberty," added Marcus.

Over 150 network cameras, supplied by Axis Communications, are used to monitor the park and monument. Additional cameras with a 200-degree panoramic view were provided by Scallop Imaging to ensure the security of all perimeters. A robust broadband network allows the high-resolution IP cameras to wirelessly communicate with the central command center, which was moved to a protected location on Ellis Island above flood elevation. Milestone and BriefCam servers take in the camera feeds and convert them to DVI signals that are input to the MediaWall processor, and Milestone's XProtect Video Management System (VMS) integrates the various systems used in the installation.

The MediaWall processor works with the VMS and servers to enable an expanded range of display possibilities, from a single video feed scaled across all monitors, to mosaic images of 4, 9 or 16 cameras feeds displayed in each of up to eight windows of any size and configuration. These windows can be located anywhere on the video wall, including across monitor bezels. Operators use a BP-16 panel to quickly recall preset window layouts and change the on screen display with the touch of a button. The video wall display's real-time reliability and versatility enhance both public safety and operational efficiency.

Previously, the Statue of Liberty and surrounding grounds were monitored by an analog system composed of five separate sub-systems; technicians were required to know how to operate each of them. U.S. Park Police Captain Greg Norman observed that the new digital system is now fully integrated and allows operators "to identify any problems and quickly take action [as well as] make critical decisions to better manage the park."

According to Jordan Heilweil, CEO of Total Recall, the contrast between the old system and the new is more than night-and-day. "It's like going from Mr. Magoo who couldn't see his hand in front of his face, to Superman with x-ray vision" observed Heilweil. After seeing the National Park Service struggle for years to get funding for a new security system, Heilweil decided that he would design and donate a cutting-edge system to the Statue of Liberty. With an estimated value over $4M, the solution provided to the park by Total Recall and its team of technology partners was "not restricted by budget. It has all the features and benefits that the Park Service and police needed [including] wireless connectivity, video synopsis [software], ample camera coverage, and [excellent display processing capabilities]."

"The new system is used [to ensure] the day-to-day safety and security of park visitors while also helping monitor traffic flow, expand people management capabilities, assist ferry services operation, reconnect parents with misplaced children, verify theft, loss or accident claims and effectively respond to medical emergencies " said Captain Norman. "The ultimate goal: to keep the visitor experience enjoyable while at the same time being able to respond optimally to incidents or emergencies."

The Statue of Liberty's new security system is so innovative that it has been honored with multiple industry awards, including the 2013 GSN Homeland Security Award and Security Technology Executive's Security Innovation Award (2013). RGB Spectrum is proud to play a part in this unique installation.