Utility Inc. Introduces PULSAR Fixed Solution

New technology furthers the company’s mission to revolutionize evidence and analysis with advanced license plate recognition.

ATLANTA, July 23, 2024 – Utility, Inc., today announces the launch of PULSAR Fixed, a groundbreaking solution that promises to significantly enhance the effectiveness of evidence collection and analysis for law enforcement agencies.

Utilizing cutting-edge optical character recognition (OCR) and machine learning algorithms, PULSAR transforms the way license plate and vehicle-related data is captured and processed, offering unmatched precision and efficiency.

Fixed automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) systems provide crucial support for agencies as they ensure continuous, automated vehicle capture, enabling rapid identification of vehicles of interest and enhancing investigative efficiency. This real-time capability helps in quickly apprehending suspects and recovering stolen property, to increase community safety.

“At Utility, we understand that ALPR technology vital in investigations, as over 70% of all crimes involve a vehicle,” says John Boyd, Manager of Law Enforcement Relations at Utility. “Our PULSAR Fixed solution offers law enforcement critical insights and real-time data, significantly reducing response times and increasing the likelihood of successful outcomes.”

Key Features and Benefits of PULSAR Fixed:

By integrating the critical functions of incident command and evidence management into a single platform with Utility and STRAX, agencies will benefit from:

• Real-Time Alerts: The technology can quickly identify and alert law enforcement when a vehicle of interest, such as a stolen car, passes an LPR camera, significantly increasing the chances of apprehending suspects and recovering stolen property. In addition to NCIC data, clients can add custom alerting capabilities to identify all vehicles of interest.
• Robust Evidence Collection and Data Sharing: PULSAR captures detailed vehicle information, including timestamps and GPS coordinates, as well as snapshots of the vehicle, license plate, issuing state, and associated metadata. This information supports strong evidence for prosecution by helping to establish the presence of a vehicle at a crime scene and corroborate other forms of evidence. Additionally, users have the ability to share LPR data with other law enforcement agencies, extending reach and multiplying the value of investment.
• Always-On Operation: PULSAR Fixed cameras capture vehicle data continuously, freeing up officers for other essential duties and acting as a force multiplier. This remains a critical need, as recent research from the Police Executive Research Forum indicates that 55% of agencies indicated their full-time sworn personnel declined between 2020 and 2022.
• Maximizing Efficiency with AI: Leveraging advancements in AI to enhance law enforcement capabilities, PULSAR can accurately read license plates even in challenging conditions and identify patterns and trends, allowing for strategic deployment of resources.
• Versatility and Scalability: Solar-powered and capable of being installed in remote areas, PULSAR Fixed can be used virtually anywhere, and, as it operates for extended periods without external power sources, it can be deployed at scale, based on respective agency needs.
• Digital Evidence Management Integration: License plate recognitions from all Utility PULSAR offerings, including mobile, fixed and portable trailers, are now fully integrated with POLARIS, the company’s digital evidence management technology.
  • This provides law enforcement with one tool for consolidating all forms of digital evidence including LPR, body cameras, dash cameras and other media, into one CJIS compliant case management platform. Additionally, the integration provides a geospatial search tool, enabling users to limit search results and/or monitor specific geographical locations.
  • Additionally, the integration provides a geospatial search tool, enabling users to limit search results
    and/or monitor specific geographical locations.
  • The new Live Mode allows for the monitoring of new license plate reads as they are received, with the
    ability to apply filtered search criteria.
  • The POLARIS integration also allows users to narrow down large data sets quickly, with expanded
    analytical parameters including location, time, make, model, color, state, etc.
• Policy-Driven: Agencies have the flexibility to set data retention periods based on their own needs, and are not
  limited by fixed, arbitrary times.

“Within the first two weeks of using the PULSAR Fixed cameras, we solved two crimes and recovered several thousand dollars’ worth of stolen items,” says Chief Porter of the Dewitt IA Police Department. “These cameras are already proving to be a very valuable asset to our city, and I’m excited to see the full implementation enhance our law enforcement capabilities even further.”

This update complements Utility’s universe of solutions, supporting over 72,300 users with intuitive platforms for capturing, managing and releasing video evidence. EOS by Utility™, the company’s body camera, and the ROCKET by Utility™ in-car video system incorporate real-time communications, policy-based automatic recording functionality and real-time GPS positioning to create the best situational awareness possible for officers during critical times. Additionally, the recently introduced STRAX with Utility™ grants law enforcement access to real-time intelligence and seamless integration of diverse data sources, enhancing situational awareness and streamlining evidence management through advanced technology.

About Utility Associates, Inc. (Utility)

Utility specializes in advanced technology solutions tailored for the vital work of first responders and public safety professionals. With a concentrated focus on law enforcement, Utility’s reach extends to correctional institutions, educational campuses, and legal practitioners within county and municipal jurisdictions. Utility offers a robust digital evidence management system that centralizes body-worn cameras, in-car videos, and automatic license plate recognition technologies. This innovative platform fosters efficiency and integration in evidence handling, promoting enhanced legal outcomes and community protection. Based in Decatur, GA, Utility is committed to pioneering solutions that support the heroes on the front lines. For an in-depth look at Utility’s contributions to public safety, visit our LinkedIn page or utility.com.

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