In November of 2007, the Denver Police Department, the Target Corporation, and the Denver Public Schools teamed up to enhance Denver Public School security.  This collaborative, crime prevention effort known as H.A.L.O./Safe City will expand wireless-mesh video recording and monitoring and establish connectivity between the Denver Police Department and the Denver Public Schools legacy system. Four DPS high schools have been selected to receive improved security measures based on feedback from the DPS and the DPD. Security at Manual High, Abraham Lincoln High, Montbello High, and East High will each be bolstered by new wireless-mesh digital IP cameras on the exterior of school buildings.

Technology is a proven asset in safety and we believe this video monitoring project will make the schools safer for our children. This effort could not have been successful without the participation of the Target Corporation, who contributed $100,000 of match money for the grant, through the Safe-City Program.

The cameras will be monitored by the DPS security staff and DPD personnel for suspicious individuals and for criminal activity taking place on and around the school campuses. Signage will be prominently displayed notifying students and the general public that the school grounds are being recorded and monitored.

This is just the first phase of the H.A.L.O. Safe-City partnership.  The original plan included the Denver Downtown Core as a static phased roll-out, which was consistent with similar Safe-City initiatives across the country.  However, Denver Police Chief Gerald Whitman had a long-term vision not only to include overt cameras in the public space for addressing crimes and quality of life issues; but including public schools as well.  This public/private partnership vision was enthusiastically accepted by the Target Corporation and the Target Team.  Our local Target team of Charlie Memmer and Randy Allen has been instrumental in this partnership.

This technology roll-out has been scheduled for the 2nd quarter of 2008.  The DPD has completed a Request for Proposal for an enterprise solution, which includes the installation of the DPD/DPS camera system, the Denver Downtown Core, as well as the entire city of Denver.

The Denver Police Department and the Denver Public Schools are committed to the safety and security of our schools. This project would not have been possible without the full support of the Target Corporation.