Wrigley Field (image: Genetec)
The Chicago Cubs’ security and technology departments recently upgraded security systems at the iconic Wrigley Field ballpark, including systems from Montreal-based Genetec.
Based on Genetec’s Security Center, Omnicast and Streamvault, the new solution extends security to neighbouring venues, parking lots and the Chicago Cubs Front Office.
The security modernization followed a multi-year restoration of the 100-plus-year-old ballpark. The project also expanded its footprint and the surrounding campus.
The Cubs’ security and technology departments teamed up on a massive physical security upgrade, seeking a scalable platform that would allow for expansion of coverage, a more proactive approach to security, and a server infrastructure that would meet the requirements of their new Joint Operations Center (JOC). They chose Genetec Security Center with the Omnicast video management system (VMS) and Streamvault security infrastructure solution.
Today, the Cubs’ security team works 24/7 from the JOC, using Genetec Omnicast to manage more than 1,100 camera views of the ballpark and community. They also integrated an existing access control system within Security Center and deployed 22 Genetec Streamvault appliances.
“In the past, our security team would have a bunch of different platforms up concurrently,” said Doug Lindsay, vice-president of security, Chicago Cubs, in a statement. They’d have to know how to find information and piece it together quickly. On a busy game day, when we’re managing many different situations, that’s hard work. With Security Center, all that information is coming into one platform, so they see what’s happening and focus exclusively on the tasks at hand. We’re definitely seeing a higher level of efficiency across our team.”
The next phase of the project will include deploying Genetec solutions at Sloan Park, the Cub’s spring training facility in Mesa, Ariz., and eventually at the Chicago Cubs Academy in the Dominican Republic, connecting those systems back to the Wrigley Field JOC. They also plan to collaborate more closely with Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) by using the Genetec Federation feature to enable the OEMC to access some of their cameras and expand visibility across the city. They are also exploring deployment of video analytics built into Security Center with the Kiwivision Intrusion Detector, People Counter and Crowd Estimation features.
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