Deterring crime and supporting citizen safety in the Italian city of Grugliasco
A smart solution integrating IP cameras, network audio and AI-based analytics to deter crime and promote citizen safety
“The particular train stop has always been prone to vandalism. The damage caused to public infrastructure came at a cost to the taxpayer and had a negative impact on the feelings of safety for our citizens. Using AI-based analytics and audio in the surveillance solution has created a highly effective deterrent to vandalism and all forms of anti-social behavior at the train stop.”
Raffaele Bianco - City Security Councilor, Municipality of Grugliasco
For any city authority, deterring crime of any sort is a primary objective. Unfortunately, public transportation infrastructure can often be a target for crime.
Vandalism at train stations and transport infrastructure typically takes the form of graffiti, littering, and damage to ticket machines and other equipment. Other forms of crime can include antisocial behavior, attacks on citizens, and drug dealing.
Any criminal activity not only creates a cost for the city and its taxpayers, but also causes inconvenience to travelers and can create feelings of uncertainty and discomfort around personal safety. Addressing the issue is therefore a priority.
This was the case in the northern Italian city of Grugliasco, part of the metropolitan area of Turin, around one particular suburban train station, the Corso Adriatico railway stop in Borgata Paradiso.
This is an area unfortunately known both by us and by citizens for the numerous acts of vandalism that have occurred over the years. We have failed to remedy a situation that has often led to discomfort and insecurity for our citizens. Not only for existing residents, but with the arrival of thousands of students joining new university departments and using the train stop, we needed to find a solution.
The station’s elevated walkway above the tracks was a particular focus for vandalism, and with plans to reopen an elevator which had been damaged previously, the city’s security team wanted to put a surveillance solution in place that would avoid a repeat.
Analytics as a foundation for an effective solution
Authorities approached Italian security system integrator ASM Venaria and Axis Communications.
Prevention is always better than cure, and the city was keen to find a solution which allowed them to deter vandalism and anti-social behavior and detect any incidents taking place.
The two companies proposed a solution which makes use of video surveillance, AI-based analytics, and network audio to meet the city’s needs.
Within the train station, an Axis video network camera runs AXIS Object Analytics, which allows security operators to define a specific area of
interest around the new elevator’s doors, and also specify the time allowed for people to remain in the area before an alert is generated.
When an individual or group has been within the area for longer than a defined time, more than deemed necessary for normal usage - in this case 60 seconds - an alert is sent to the security control room, and an automated message is played over a connected horn speaker to make them aware that the area is under surveillance.
We’ve known for many years that the combination of video surveillance and network audio can be a highly effective deterrent to criminal activity. Using the ‘time in area’ scenario in AXIS Object Analytics adds efficiency to this effectiveness, automating the audio warning based on the activity in the video scene. The audio message also gives citizens the comfort that the area is under surveillance.
Positive results in reducing vandalism and more
The solution has proven effective in deterring vandalism and capturing adverse events and incidents. With the automated message being polite and non-threatening – simply letting people know that the area is under surveillance and asking them to move on - it also creates and reinforces a feeling of safety for law-abiding citizens using the train stop.
There are plans to enhance the solution once the elevator reopens with further alerts based on the analytics. At that time, if individuals or groups do not leave the area 20 seconds after the initial audio warning, another alert will be sent to the remote security control room, prompting operators to review the live scene. If necessary, they can then relay a live message through the horn speaker or ask security personnel or the police to attend the scene.
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