Rankin Inlet (Sep 10/03) - The Rankin Inlet airport has joined the world of high-tech security.

A $40,000 video-and-key-scan-security system was recently installed at the airport to combat the number of break-ins at the facility during the past year.

Airport manager David Ittinuar said the security system was one of his top priorities when he assumed his position earlier this year.

After researching the problem, it became apparent to Ittinuar that, in many cases, people were just walking into the terminal building.

"A number of keys had been issued over the years and there were far more keys out there than we were comfortable with," said Ittinuar.

"As well, half the building was on key punch or code, and, if you change either system, you have to notify 35 to 50 people."

Rankin became the first airport in Canada to adopt the new digital video system.

Ittinuar said the systems are infinite in what they can be programmed to do.

Those needing access to the airport will be issued a card with their name, title and employer.

The system records whenever a card is scanned, providing a 24-7 log of who's using the building.

Ittinuar said the system can also control what doors a card can open.

"We can now set the system to automatically open the front doors an hour before the first scheduled flight of the day, and lock the doors an hour after the last flight has arrived.

"We have eight doors in total that access the terminal building, and the old system of last person out locks the door just didn't work.

"With upwards of 50 personnel, medevacs, etc., the stream of traffic here is just endless."

The airport is employing eight cameras with its new digital surveillance system, with the capacity to expand to 16 if the need arises. The system does not use video tape. It has the digital capacity to record about three months of 24-hour activity in its memory.

"With this system, for example, you can select a picture on the wall that went missing through the night and it will go right to the time it was pulled off the wall.

"We wanted a system in place that would do us for the next 20 years or so, while at the same time, providing us with cutting edge security.

"This system provides us with exactly that!"