Case study: Honeywell Technology Helps Protect the Albany Housing Authority

(Source:  http://www.security.honeywell.com/documents/L_AHACS_D.pdf)

Since 1948, the Albany Housing Authority (AHA) has been providing good housing in safe neighborhoods across Albany, NY. The agency owns and operates 1,800 public housing units and administers an ongoing public housing rehabilitation program averaging $2.5 million annually.

The Situation:

One of the chief concerns for the AHA is vandalism and the cost that it brings to operations. “Number one, it creates a negative image of the property and number two, it costs money to remove it,” explains Steven Longo, executive director of the AHA.

The Solution:

Since their properties are spread all over the city with about thirteen locations, the AHA
wanted a single, unified platform. To meet these concerns, FES designed a security
solution that deployed Honeywell fixed cameras, PTZs and Performance Series DVRs.

With this powerful combination, they were able to provide AHA with sufficient and
adequate coverage of the areas that they wanted to protect, and tie that back into their
central offices in order to watch all their properties at one time.

The software is Internet-based so that we can watch it from our homes if we’re so
inclined. And certainly the police are able to see the properties at any given time if an alarm comes in. That’s been very useful so that when they’re coming to the scene, if it was vandalism, then they know where to go and exactly what was going on. It’s that
intelligence on the ground, that has given us an advantage,” explains Longo.

The Benefits:

“I think the installation of cameras has been a big help in either dissuading those who
are going to deface our property from doing it in the first place or, if they do, it certainly is a tremendous aid in apprehending them,” explains Longo. In addition to improving security, the new video solution has additional advantages. Jay Cunningham, AHA’s director of security operations explains. “We use the video surveillance not just for criminal conduct, but also for supervisory capabilities. In the winter, for example, the director of maintenance doesn’t have to leave his office to see if they’re plowing the snow. Now, he can check it through the camera system. We’re looking at the holistic approach and there’s more to it than the reduction of crime.

As a result of the new installation, the residents and staff are much more secure. “I
believe that the properties Albany Housing has are safer today with a good security
solution. It’s not just the product; it’s awareness. When the tenants know there are cameras and would-be criminals know that the properties are also protected, it really does make an impact and effect on the lives and the living environment of the tenants,” concludes Tim Collins, director of electronic safety and security, FES Installation.

At Best Security Products, we specialize in Honeywell technology.  Give us a call or email us at 1-800–988–2378 sales@bestsecurityproducts.com