The security branch of GE Infrastructure announced that the Booth Western Art Museum in Cartersville, Ga. is using its digital video surveillance equipment to monitor and protect valuable exhibits, including presidential letters, movie posters and contemporary Civil War art. The museum is home to a large, permanent collection and hosts visiting exhibits, all of which require protection.

The museum hired a security consultant to aid them in selecting the security system that was right for their needs, says Ed Ruzumna, director of engineering at Booth Western Art Museum.

The system consists of 70 fixed dome cameras, five pan-tilt-zoom cameras on the roof, and a Digiplex IV video matrix switching system. Cameras can be remotely monitored from several rooms at the museum or corporate headquarters. They are positioned to have the best angle on each art piece. Due to the museum’s floating walls, the ceiling was pre-wired with coaxial cable. The CCTV system can accommodate up to 80 indoor cameras.

"We have downloaded evidence onto a CD-ROM for the city on several occasions and the Cartersville Police Department has sent everyone from the police chief on down over to review our system," says Ken Wade, director of facilities and security at the museum.

The security system already is paying off by catching potential thieves and acting as a deterrent to prospective burglars.

"During a local artist's show, the cameras picked up a family -- husband, wife and kids -- who were attempting to remove a painting off the wall. The wife wore a large coat to hide the painting and the kids acted as lookouts. They didn’t get away with the painting since they noticed security coming and quickly exited the building," says Wade.

With eight security personnel on staff, the museum can easily monitor its own facility, and has even recorded break-ins and train accidents at facilities across the street. The CCTV system is monitored 24 hours a day by a stationary guard. Cameras can be viewed from the basement, where the head-end equipment is installed, or from a remote position at the loading dock area where the guard is located.

"The cameras are 'plug and play,' because we wanted the ability to easily relocate cameras based on the current show," explains Joe Stitgen of ETC, the Atlanta-area dealer/integrator which installed the system.

"If anyone tries to break in, every light in the facility goes on, indoors and out. There is a flat screen monitor at the entrance of the museum which we feel also acts as a deterrent. Everyone knows they’re being monitored the minute they walk into the building," says Wade.