Elevated Real-Time Surveillance Boosts Chicagoland SWAT Operations
In 2021, the Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) Emergency Services Team acquired the Hitch-Mounted RATT with the camera-based RQ621 Mobile Surveillance Tower as a tool to use for hostage/barricade incidents, high-risk warrant service, major crime scene searches, search and rescue missions, dignitary protection, and similar tactical incidents.
This special tactical squad provides professional, efficient, and cost effective response to high risk situations for over 100 member agencies throughout 5 counties in the Chicagoland area.
Learn how NIPAS deploys their 30’ RATT from Team Commander John Burke below…
Hostage Rescued from Barricaded Suspect
The Northern Illinois Police Alarm System Emergency Services Team deployed our RATT system on a call for an armed barricaded suspect who had kidnapped his ex-girlfriend. The RATT system was deployed within minutes in a safe area approximately 200 yards from the suspect’s location. The RATT camera provided members of the SWAT team and the host agency with real-time, detailed surveillance of the suspect’s location.
An additional benefit of the RATT system is being able to provide real time surveillance from great distances without placing first responders in harm’s way. During this deployment, the innocent hostage freed herself and escaped onto a second story balcony. These movements were observed utilizing the live-stream capabilities of the RATT system in our command post.
With this real-time visual evidence, the order was given for SWAT team members to move from cover and rescue the victim. This action was completed in minutes with the utilization of The RATT.
Bike Race – Northbrook
The Northern Illinois Police Alarm System (NIPAS) Emergency Services Team deployed our RATT system on a security mission in Northbrook, Illinois this past July.
The Village of Northbrook was hosting a professional bike race not long after the tragic events that took place in neighboring Highland Park. Prior to the start of the first race, The RATT was quickly deployed and synced up with the unified command post for police and fire in order to provide real-time surveillance of the downtown area.
The RATT system is a force multiplier in terms of providing surveillance and real-time information at public events.
