Customer Story: Dave Holl, Public Safety Director, Lower Allen Township, Pennsylvania
Challenge:
The need for power and internet connectivity in situations where cabling is inaccessible or impossible to run.
Solution:
Deploy the Gridless system utilizing their chosen camera manufacturer to provide continuous surveillance of high-crime zones.
A Commitment to Ensuring a Safe and Secure Township
Lower Allen Township, Pennsylvania, is a vibrant family-friendly suburban town with 18,000+ residents over 10 square miles located just outside of Harrisburg, PA. With its many residential neighborhoods, shopping centers, and parks, reliable public safety is essential to ensure the community remains secure.
Dave Holl, Director of Public Safety, is committed to keeping the town and its residents safe. He oversees the administration and operations of the local police department, EMS, and fire rescue services. Throughout his career, Director Holl has played an essential role in supporting public safety at both the local and state levels.
Park safety is a clear priority for Director Holl and the leadership team in Lower Allen Township. Their unwavering dedication ensures that every corner of the community, from its neighborhoods to its parks, remains a safe and welcoming place for all who call Lower Allen Township home.
From Trial to Triumph: How Gridless Enhanced Lower Allen Township’s Park Security
Lower Allen Township was facing ongoing damage to its community parks and needed a reliable, off-grid solution to address the problem. At the time, there was no surveillance in place, only occasional patrols by officers, making it difficult to monitor activity and protect these public spaces, especially with the distance between each local park. As a test, the township had three different solutions installed to see which aligned with what the town needed most; a reliable off-grid security ecosystem.
During the trial period, the Gridless system captured footage of an individual entering the park after hours. Director Holl became aware of the trespassing late one evening while checking the cameras and promptly shared it with the local police, who were able to locate and address the situation within a few short days. This successful intervention demonstrated the effectiveness of the Gridless system in providing real-time awareness and enhancing the safety of Lower Allen Township’s public spaces.
“We had three vendors put systems up–your system was the simplest to use, highly interactive, and didn’t take a whole lot of training. So it was the choice we made in the end.”
-Dave Holl
The Smart, Custom Choice
Lower Allen Township deployed a total of six Gridless units: three solar-powered and three powered by AC. A few of the deployment locations had no existing power infrastructure, making the solar option a game-changer for the township. Additionally, there was no connectivity available where the AC units were installed, so having a system that could operate independently was a significant advantage.
The Gridless team worked closely with the township to design systems tailored to their specific needs. Dave explained that while his team of engineers and IT staff had strong technical skills, the limited time and manpower they had was a problem. Partnering with the Gridless team for installation and support ensured a smooth implementation and provided valuable insights that helped them maximize the system’s capabilities. Their collaboration ensured a seamless integration of the Gridless system, providing the township with a reliable, user-friendly solution that significantly enhanced the safety and security of their community spaces.
Budgeting for Safety: Lower Allen Township’s Strategic Use of Federal Grants
Budgeting and federal grants can be crucial for small townships and cities to provide essential services to their communities. Researching available grants, through government websites, grant databases, and local agencies, can open doors to funding opportunities that might otherwise go untapped. Fortunately, Lower Allen Township secured federal grant funding, which has supported several important advancements, including park security. Given the success of the current systems, town officials expect expanding surveillance to be a top priority and anticipates that additional grant funding will be allocated for it. “We prioritize by identifying the points we think are going to create the biggest problems and need that surveillance overview,” said Dave. Once those areas are identified, the success of the current system can help justify additional funding for expansion.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Lower Allen Township?
Lower Allen Township is just beginning its journey to secure its parks and recreation centers. Plans are already in place to deploy systems at two additional parks, but this will depend on whether they can allocate ARPA grant funds toward these advancements. The township also intends to upgrade existing systems at municipal buildings to the new systems, with the ultimate goal of transitioning all security systems to a single, advanced platform for centralized footage management.
Thanks to the dedication of Lower Allen Township leadership, the new Gridless systems are already proving invaluable in helping protect the town’s parks. While there will be a learning curve as the township adapts to the new technology, they are excited about the progress made and eager for the future improvements.
“So far, so good. Two good success stories and we’re confident we’ll develop more as the system matures.”
-Dave Holl
