TULSA, Okla. — One of the biggest concerns for law enforcement at the Tulsa State Fair aside from crime is trying to locate children who become separated from their parents while hitting the midway.
This year the Tulsa County Sheriff Office has a new tool at its disposal. In addition to working with new camera pod technology from Security Lines US, Eagle Eye out of Texas is providing AI technology.
The combination of six camera pods and AI technology will allow IT Director Daniel Lutz to enter specific information about the color of the clothing the child was wearing into the system to do more detailed searches.
Lutz said they’ll then be able to locate what grid section the child is in.
“Your child goes missing, but you give us a good description or picture of what they’re wearing, blue shirt, red shirt, green shirt,” explained Captain Michael Moore.
“We actually program for the cameras to start looking for you know that description,” he added, “pulling out juveniles with that color shirt so we can start sorting through the crowd and locating the lost child even sooner.”
The camera pods each contain four cameras, with a router inside with cellular capability.
The testing of the AI technology is part of a pilot project being run by the Tulsa County Sheriff Department. They have already purchased one camera pod and have been provided with an additional five cameras pods during the Tulsa State Fair.
The Tulsa County Sheriff Office has six camera pods on site, in addition to more than 300 cameras provided by the Expo Center.
The AI technology is a software application provided by Eagle Eye out of Texas, according to Lutz. It’s proprietary and patent pending, so we were not allowed to record its use during our time in the TCSO Command Center on Friday.
With more than one million visitors expected over the next ten days, Captain Moore said keeping children and parents together is an issue they take seriously.
There are wrist bands provided free-of-charge that adults can write their contact information on with a Sharpie.
Captain Moore also said it’s a good idea for parents to take pictures on their phones of what their kids are wearing before they enter the Expo Square grounds so they have an exact description in case they become separated.
He also advises wearing bright and recognizable clothing while visiting the Tulsa State Fair.
Children are advised to seek out a uniformed deputy if they become separated from their parents. There are two reunification sites set up including the Lost Children’s Center at Central Park Hall and the TCSO Command Center.
On Thursday, the opening day of the fair, Captain Moore said seven children became separated from their parents; five were ‘found’ children located by deputies, while the two others were lost.
All seven were safely reunified. Last year, there were 138 lost/found children during the Tulsa State Fair according to Moore.
He said the Tulsa County Sheriff Department does not leave until every child is reunified with their parent or guardian each day.
He also offered this additional piece of advice for children who become separated from their parents if they cannot find a uniformed deputy:
“Look for someone that has a stroller, carrying maybe some kids in their arms, because that’s more than likely going to be a momma, and momma’s going to take care of kids.”