Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise is part of the state’s Department of Transportation. “I’m responsible for the security of over $500 million collected annually, over 100 toll facilities and over 2,000 toll employees” in a state that’s long on parkways, expressways, beltways, mainlines and connectors and just as big on the number of citizens and visitors using the turnpike system.
In April 2003, Arce implemented a security and loss prevention program that has become the most proactive program in the Department. “My investigators have recovered thousands of dollars through their covert surveillances and criminal interviews. We are also in the midst of upgrading our current controlled access and security video system, to make it into a state-of-art.” The security manager’s aim is simple but challenging: Create a cost-effective surveillance system to allow management to view any of the Turnpike’s security cameras throughout the state.