How Southaven PD Used The RATT for Special Event Monitoring at the Mid-South Fair

Background: Ensuring Safety at a Major Community Event

Thousands of people flood the Mid-South Fair each year, creating a vibrant but complex security challenge for the Southaven Police Department. With large crowds, limited sightlines, and constantly shifting activity, Southaven PD utilizes a combination of proactive patrolling and technology to maintain public safety. This year, Southaven PD turned to an innovative mobile monitoring system—The RATT.

Since its establishment in 1856, the Mid-South Fair has been a longstanding tradition, drawing attendees from Mississippi, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri. Hosted at the Landers Center in Southaven, Mississippi, the fair offers a variety of attractions, including over 50 rides, diverse food vendors, and numerous entertainment options. With such a large influx of visitors, ensuring public safety becomes a significant responsibility for local law enforcement.

Challenges: Addressing Security Concerns in a Dynamic Environment

Managing security at large-scale events like the Mid-South Fair presents unique challenges. The expansive area, coupled with high attendee numbers, requires comprehensive monitoring to track potential incidents effectively. Traditional stationary cameras often lack the flexibility needed to adapt to changing security needs during such events. Additionally, the presence of numerous structures and attractions can create blind spots, further complicating monitoring efforts.

Solution: Deploying The RATT for Enhanced Mobile Monitoring

To address these challenges, the Southaven Police Department collaborated with Critical Tech Solutions to integrate The RATT (Rapid All-Terrain Tower) into their security operations during the Mid-South Fair. The RATT is a mobile monitoring system designed for quick deployment and adaptability, making it ideal for dynamic environments like fairs and festivals.

Key Features of The RATT:

• Mobility: Featuring Field-Swappable, Mount-Anywhere Masts, The RATT can be deployed on a tripod, hitch, or wall, allowing for flexible positioning based on real-time security assessments. This adaptability ensures optimal placement for event monitoring, giving officers a versatile tool for situational awareness.
• Enhanced Video Monitoring: The RATT’s advanced cameras provide clear imagery and live feeds to the command center and any device with internet access, allowing officers to monitor large crowds effectively and respond to incidents in real-time.

Major Bryan Rosenberg of the Southaven Police Department highlighted the benefits of this collaboration, stating, “Integrating The RATT into our existing security measures provided an additional layer of monitoring, enhancing our ability to observe and respond to situations effectively.”

Implementation: Seamless Integration into Existing Security Protocols

To maximize effectiveness, officers carefully selected a high-traffic area near major attractions and entry points for The RATT’s deployment. The system was mounted on a tripod and enclosed with security barriers, ensuring stability and clear visibility without interfering with fair operations.

Additionally, external power sources were integrated into the setup, allowing The RATT to remain operational throughout the event without requiring battery swaps. This ensured uninterrupted monitoring, particularly during peak hours when crowd density increased.

Southaven PD also utilized UTVs for enhanced mobility, enabling officers to patrol large sections of the fairgrounds while staying connected to the live video feed from The RATT. This combination of strategic placement and mobile response ensured faster situational awareness and incident management.

Results: Impact on Event Monitoring

The deployment of The RATT at the Mid-South Fair provided Southaven Police Department with an additional tool to enhance their monitoring efforts. Officers leveraged the unit’s flexibility to cover key areas of the fairgrounds, supplementing their existing security operations. The ability to reposition the system as needed allowed them to adapt to evolving conditions throughout the event. The added visibility of The RATT also served as a deterrent, reinforcing a strong security presence.

Major Rosenberg commented on the outcomes, “The RATT seamlessly integrated into our operations, enhancing our ability to monitor the fairgrounds without replacing our traditional methods. This partnership exemplifies how technology can support law enforcement in maintaining public safety.”

Conclusion: Embracing Technological Advancements for Public Safety

The successful deployment of The RATT at the Mid-South Fair underscores the importance of integrating innovative solutions into public safety strategies. By embracing mobile monitoring technology, the Southaven Police Department enhanced their ability to observe and respond to incidents effectively, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience for all attendees.

For law enforcement agencies and security personnel seeking to augment their monitoring capabilities, exploring solutions like The RATT offers a practical approach to addressing the dynamic challenges of large-scale events.