Traffic wardens over in the UK have been wielding handheld camcorders for well over a year now, but Ponca City, Oklahoma is making waves here in America with a slightly more sophisticated alternative. In conjunction with Honeywell, the town is implementing a broadband mesh network comprised of over 490 wireless nodes and gateways from Tropos Networks, and aside from providing free WiFi to some 30 square miles of residents, it’s also hoping to use the abundant connectivity to help public safety. For instance, the city has installed wireless video cameras in police vehicles so “dispatchers and supervisors can monitor activities during traffic stops, and quickly deploy additional officers and resources if necessary.” ‘Course, that’s just the official word — everyone and their mother knows this is just the beginning of “C.O.P.S.: Live in Oklahoma.”[Via Slashdot, image courtesy of CanMag]Filed under: Wireless, NetworkingOklahoma town provides real-time streaming from cop cars, free WiFi to residents originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 23 Nov 2008 13:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

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