Planned technology purchases point to an abundance of identity tracking cameras in 2021. Surveillance cameras, tracking devices, monitoring, recording, and capturing data - that’s the future. The purchase of camera tracking technology is a very large and strong trend.

Individuals should assume they are always on camera and being watched and tracked in all public places. Technology has become essential for public safety and in the next several years, government officials throughout the country will spend billions on new surveillance cameras and technology components. Here are just a few examples that point to this ever-increasing trend.

Washington

The new budget for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) includes $28.9 million for more computer technology units for checkpoint property screening for the Transportation Security Administration. The agency will spend $87.4 million for new radiation detection equipment. This will allow the DHS to scan cargo at various locations for radiological and nuclear materials. These new detection systems will include chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological detection devices that can be carried, worn, or easily moved to support operational end-users.

Virginia

The city of Richmond plans to spend millions to upgrade security at city hall beginning in 2021 and continuing through 2025. The enhancements will include security renovations, additional screening cameras, access control card readers, active shooter systems, vehicle intrusion barriers, and ballistic/ blast resistant exteriors and interiors that will improve security for employees and citizens.

Washington (State)

The Washington State Department of Transportation has finalized a five-year plan that includes new security cameras at the Lynden Municipal Airport. Planned purchases include additional security cameras that will continually monitor airport access and essential equipment. The upgraded system will be linked to a website that provides real time weather conditions. Other airports in the state of Washington that plan to add more security cameras include Okanogan Legion Airport, Rosalia Municipal Airport, and Quincy Municipal Airport.

Nevada

The city of Las Vegas will spend $70,000 in 2021 to purchase a license plate reader. Automated license plate readers are computer-controlled camera systems that can be mounted on street poles, streetlights, highway overpasses, mobile trailers, or attached to patrol vehicles. Some readers are able to capture as many as 1,800 license plates a minute - day or night. Procurement and installation of license plate recognition cameras and software also will take place on 10 parking enforcement vehicles and approximately 17 entry and exit lanes in city-owned parking garages at a cost of $755,000.

And, city officials are considering facial recognition cameras for the downtown courthouse. In addition, funding is allocated for a distributed antenna system, video memory storage, customer service kiosk, monitors, access control readers, and more. The anticipated cost of the new equipment is $1.4 million.

Las Vegas also plans to spend $5.3 million for intersection improvements throughout the city. Some of the intersection upgrades will include closed circuit television cameras, intelligent transportation system improvements, traffic signal upgrades, new streetlights, signs, and more. The city will spend $150,000 to install security cameras and communication equipment to increase its ability to monitor areas of downtown, the medical district and what is known as the Corridor of Hope.

Wisconsin

The city of Port Washington’s fire department, law enforcement, and emergency medical services will all benefit from the planned purchase of a drone to be used for search and rescue efforts. The drone will be equipped with a thermal imaging camera so missing or lost persons may be located quicker, especially if a water or night rescue is required. The drone also will be used for viewing hazmat incidents, detecting wildfires, monitoring large events, and recording crime scenes and accidents.

The city of Kenosha will spend $750,000 for 175 police body cameras and 60 in-car cameras. Additionally, Kenosha city will upgrade its surveillance cameras at a cost of $75,000. The city’s police department plans to install more cameras for street monitoring and purchase new security access systems.

New York

Dutchess County will replace and modernize an existing camera surveillance system at the airport. A design plan will be developed at a projected cost of $351,000. Another $2.3 million then will be required for new cameras and a monitoring and recording system at 40 locations.

Arizona

The city of Chandler will spend approximately $259,000 on new Thermal Imaging Cameras (TICs) for its fire department. These cameras are vital when there is a need to locate potential victims or fire sources in zero-visibility environments.

Chandler has used video detection cameras since 2002 and is now in need of replacements. In the next several years, approximately $4 million will be spent to install as many as 100 new cameras in various locations. City leaders plan to spend another $4.6 million for signal detection cameras that will be installed at signalized intersections.

Florida

The Boca Raton Police Department plans to upgrade its crime lab and biological processing lab equipment and has allocated $50,000 for automated fingerprint identification and another $51,000 for other safety-related technology equipment.

Virginia

Officials at the Hampton Roads Transit Authority have announced plans to replace video cameras on buses at a cost of $6 million. The plans also call for the transit authority to replace its facility surveillance equipment at a cost of $1.4 million and upgrade its mobile camera units at transfer centers. Existing cameras will be repurposed and used on a safety and security surveillance trailer that can be deployed anywhere.

Texas

City leaders in Wichita Falls plan to replace and upgrade the community’s existing security camera system. Additional cameras will be installed and technology components will be added.

Another expenditure of $75,000 will add additional surveillance cameras at the Kay Yeager Coliseum. Other security enhancements include the installation of LED lighting, radios, ticket scanners, camera video equipment, and more for $537,500.

Cameras and monitoring devices are designed to make people safer, so remember to smile because somewhere a camera is likely pointed directly at you.