Amsterdam, 25th of April 2008 by Gijsbert Termaat and Tjerk de Vries

The major of Amsterdam, Cohen, decided to apply a similar system surrounding the overpass at the 'Waddenweg', after a request by the 'City Region Amsterdam'. Bus drivers have to cope with a lot of aggression and violence at the bus stop in that region. Drivers complain regularly about trouble caused by youth hanging around there. The transportation business 'Arriva' has to deal with it very often. Cohen recognizes the situation, also because of the number of declarations, and wants measurements.

With the aggression detection, coming trouble or violence is measured by means of microphones connected to the detection camera's. Special sounds are detected and when they occur, an alarm rings in the guarding-centre. The camera's turn to the point where the sound came from, and the police can then decide either to take a look or not.

According to Cohen, the camera-detection can be applied more effectively this way. To not violate the privacy of the citizens, the sounds used for aggression detection will not be recorded.

Excited

It's the first time a camera-project is combined with an aggression detection in Amsterdam. "I'm very excited about the results", Cohen says, who gives permission for the project to last until the 31th of December 2010. In addition, a new flexible wireless camera-system is placed at the 'Buikslotermeerplein', that can immediately change locations when the situation asks for it. These measurements are needed, because of the big renovation- and building-plans. It is expected that the troubles will move from several places in the city.

Source: De Telegraaf 25th of April 2008