DHSS Press Release |
Date: February 20, 2008 DHSS-18-2008 |
| Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary Jay Lynch, Communications Director (302) 255-9037, Pager (302) 247-8523 Email: jay.lynch@state.de.us |
SECURITY CAMERAS AND LIGHTING IN DPC PARKING FULLY OPERATIONAL
Exterior Cameras and Lighting Are Final Phase of Yearlong DPC Safety Initiative
New Castle, DE - The final phase of a facility-wide safety project at the Delaware Psychiatric Center is now complete as video surveillance cameras and all new exterior lighting in the parking areas surrounding the buildings are now fully operational. The safety project was initiated in spring 2007 and was designed to protect patients, staff and visitors, while preserving patient privacy.
"The new video surveillance system and upgraded exterior lighting are essential additions to our network of security measures at DPC," said Vincent P. Meconi, Secretary DHSS. "The camera system has already assisted us in recent investigations by providing our staff and law enforcement officials with valuable visual evidence that we would not have had access to before."
"We are confident the installation of both the state-of-the-art digital video camera system and greatly improved lighting in parking areas at DPC will prove to be very effective in keeping our patients, employees, visitors and their vehicles safe and secure," added DPC Hospital Director Husam Abdallah.
About the Video Surveillance System The exterior parking lot cameras are part of a 200-camera high performance digital system that monitors critical internal and external areas of the center continuously.
The strategically located cameras transmit a continuous video feed to a master digital hard drive storage system and to each nursing station where real time video is displayed on desktop computer monitors and digital video recorders (DVR) store video for easy recall and review. There master video review station allows for review any camera feed and extracting previously recorded video. In total, the system is comprised of 9 DVRs, each 1 terabyte (1000 gigabytes) and an automatic 30 day video data retention window.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.
