To protect its 17,000-student population, the University of Massachusetts Boston department of public safety had invested in a campus-wide surveillance system. However, some areas of the 330,000-square-foot campus center presented physical challenges due to size, location and activity levels. The situation required technology that could more effectively capture a wide-angle view.

So as part of its effort to create and maintain a safe environment for the community, the public safety department installed Boston-based Scallop Imaging 180° surveillance cameras in key areas throughout the center to better protect students, staff and assets from theft, vandalism and harm.

 “We looked at several options, but chose the Scallop system because it is cost effective, delivers complete situational awareness, and is manufactured locally,” said Peter Bonitatibus, director of information systems and technology for the Division of Student Affairs at UMass Boston.

The university installed Scallop Imaging surveillance cameras in the Atrium Café seating area, a student meeting area on the upper level of the center, and in the main lobby. These cameras provide a wide-angle view of each space combined with four separate and focused views, including the cash register and dining tables in the shop and the information desk, main entrance and lobby elevator. The Scallop Imaging cameras were easily integrated into the campus-wide security system, which runs on the Genetec unified security platform.

Installation was quick and easy. “The IT department pulled the wires, and after verifying the correct angles, we mounted the cameras and turned the system on — that’s how easy it was,” Bonitatibus explained. UMass Boston public safety communications center staff monitor the system live, 24/7.

 “The public safety team works diligently 24 hours a day to create and maintain the safest and most comfortable student environment possible,” Bonitatibus concluded. “Scallop Imaging technologies play a critical role in our efforts to monitor and protect the busiest places on campus.”