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Showing posts from December, 2023

How to Choose the Right Classroom Lockdown Technology for Your School

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There are few topics in the news these days that are more important or emotionally charged than classroom and school security. This topic has generated a plethora of complex solutions. However, researched more thoroughly, many of the resultant system designs are certainly not for the untrained and may result in schools resembling a prison more than an educational institution. Many of these solutions are ultimately halted due to perpetual installer dependence and exorbitant funding requirements. Where to Begin That said, it is worthwhile to learn and seek out the best plans from professionals, as well as those with the unfortunate life experiences surviving the all too well-known school attacks across the country. The best place to start might be the nationally recognized and Security Industry Association ( SIA ) -supported Partner Alliance for Safer Schools ( PASS ) guidelines. They offer the most comprehensive, end-to-end security analysis and design tool for protecting...

Aspen Transforms Parking Experience at Rio Grande Plaza With Automated Guidance

CHESIRE, Conn. – TKH Security (formerly Park Assist) has partnered with the City of Aspen for its Rio Grande Parking Plaza in Aspen, Colo. Central to this collaboration is the implementation of the Automated Parking Guidance System (APGS), marking an advancement in parking efficiency and convenience for the city. The installation commenced in December 2023 with completion slated for early 2024. Surrounded by four ski areas, Aspen is a premier ski resort town and year-round outdoor recreation destination. At an elevation of 8,000 feet, Aspen is also known for its arts and culture, acclaimed cuisine, and first-class accommodations. With the installation of TKH Security’s automated parking guidance system (APGS) , the City aims to elevate the experience of visitors and employees alike in its four-story parking garage, the Rio Grande Parking Plaza. What’s Next for Rio Grande Parking Plaza TKH Security’s automated parking guidance system (APGS) maximizes parking facility management a...

Lawmakers Push to Amend Mass. Building Codes to Allow Barricade Locks

BOSTON  — Massachusetts legislators have proposed changing the state’s building and fire codes to allow for the installation of certain types of barricade locks on classroom doors. The devices, which are metal tabs that slip into a slot and prevent doors from being pushed or pulled open, are installed near access points and are intended to save lives by preventing active shooters from entering classrooms or other areas where students, faculty, clinicians, or others might be taking shelter. “We have seen shootings where students and teachers have been tragically injured or killed,” said Sen. Michael Moore (D-Millbury), one of two legislators who filed bills to amend the existing state codes. “These barricade door locks provide the technology to be used, on a temporary basis, to create a safe harbor in school classrooms. “The Department of Homeland Security has determined that properly locked doors can have a significant impact on the outcomes of an active shooter event...

Mesa Police Department Launches State-of-the-Art RTCC With Genetec Security Center

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MONTRÉAL – The Mesa, Ariz., Police Department launched a state-of-the-art real-time crime center (RTCC) based on Genetec Security Center, Genetec Citigraf and Genetec Clearance that has helped the department solve more than 930 felonies and 640 misdemeanors in its first year of operation. The department has also recovered almost 270 stolen vehicles, while expediting their emergency response, improving situational awareness and building collaboration in the community of its 550,000 residents. To take a proactive, innovative approach to policing, the city had invested in many technologies over the years — all operating independently, so data and departments were siloed. “We wanted to bring all of this data together, to make it easier for our operators to gather and share real-time information with responding officers,” says MPD Lt. Ryan Stokes. “With critical incidents, having situational awareness 30 to 90 seconds before arriving on the scene is a huge advantage.” After touring R...

Classroom Safety is About More Than Just the Securing the Door

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With the increase in school shootings and other safety incidents, it’s important to consider all aspects of classroom security to help ensure the safety of students, teachers, and staff. In this article, we’ll discuss various ways to improve classroom security beyond just the door. Classroom locks come in different types, and it’s essential to choose the right lock for your classroom security needs. Understanding the different recommended applications for each scenario is important for classroom safety. The Partner Alliance for Safer Schools ( PASS ) guidelines recommend that classrooms be locked from the inside and should not require a keyholder to step into the hallway to lock the door from the outside. When secured with a key, there is less risk of unauthorized people locking the door, but the keyholder must be present. Related: Johnson Controls Launches School Safety Digital Assessment Service Doors that can be secured by a push button or thumb turn are ...

Allied Universal Electronic Monitoring Wins $205M UK Ministry of Justice Contract

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IRVINE, Calif. — Allied Universal Electronic Monitoring has won a six-year, £160 million ($204.5 million) contract to supply next-generation electronic monitoring technology to the U.K. government’s Ministry of Justice . As part of the contract, Allied Universal Electronic Monitoring “will deliver its latest monitoring technologies and systems for GPS and radio frequency tracking,” according to the announcement. It will also include solutions for alcohol monitoring (transdermal and breath) and non-fitted monitoring devices. Related: Allied Universal Security Professional Receives American Red Cross Honors In the U.K., approximately 15,000 individuals were required to wear a monitoring device in 2022. This number is expected to significantly increase by 2025. Allied Universal Electronic Monitoring is a global leader in electronic monitoring. The business formed in August 2022 following the company’s acquisition of Attenti Group. “We are delighted that, following a competitiv...

Iowa Agricultural Business Utilizes Cloud-Based VIVOTEK VORTEX to Curb Rising Theft

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PERRY, Iowa — Olson Seed Service LLC provides agricultural consulting and Pioneer Seeds and nutrients to local farmers. The company has a large investment in equipment and supplies that it has stored inside its facility along with agricultural equipment and vehicles parked outside. Theft in rural Iowa has risen 60 percent over the past five years, causing concern for companies such as Olson Seed Service. Many rural businesses do not have technology-based solutions driving their day-to-day operations, so finding a video surveillance system that is effective yet easy to manage in these challenging times has become crucial. Related: How an Integrator’s Advanced Camera System Solved a Megachurch’s Surveillance Woes Businesses in such rural communities that are not used to the necessity of such video surveillance in the past are quickly becoming aware that these security measures are becoming vital, no matter the size and scope of the operation itself. Basic surveillance equipmen...

Video Surveillance Survey Finds AI, Cloud, License Plate Recognition Gaining Traction

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The numbers have been crunched for this year’s  Campus Safety Video Surveillance Survey, and 94% of the 200 K-12 schools/school districts, institutions of higher education, and healthcare facilities that responded have at least one video surveillance  system on their campus. These findings are consistent when compared to  Campus Safety’s  surveys from previous years. Additionally, they are very similar to findings from the National Center for Education Statistics, which found that 91% of public schools use video security cameras. What’s particularly notable about this year’s survey is that, although 6% of participants said they don’t have a security camera system yet, all of them are considering the purchase of a system in the next two years. Related: It’s Time to Trust Video Surveillance Systems This is the first time since  Campus Safety  began conducting surveys on security cameras that  no participants that don’t have a video survei...

UCC Hires Felipe Presas as New Account Executive

SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Contract monitoring company United Central Control ( UCC ) has hired Felipe Presas as a national account executive. Presas is a 31-year veteran in the alarm industry and “has a vast knowledge of dealer support of electronic alarm systems and video solutions,” according to the company announcement. UCC president Teresa Gonzalez says she is pleased to have Presas join the UCC team. “Felipe specializes in video monitoring and installation design support,” she says in the announcement. “His knowledge and expertise will be utilized to increase (recurring monthly revenue) for our AlarmWatch Video Monitoring brand of services. “We are eager to see Felipe utilize his experience to educate dealers on the benefits and value of implementing video monitoring, understanding the right video solutions for specific types of organizations and how to gain additional RMR value from the upsell of video monitoring to existing and new customers,” says Gonzalez in the announcement....

Felix Media Solutions Stays Ahead of the Competition

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AUSTIN, Texas — Emerging from humble beginnings in 2014, Felix Media Solutions (FMS) has skyrocketed from a $50,000 annual revenue to $2.7 million per year within just a few years of operation. The systems integration firm is projecting to close 2023 with more than $11 million in revenue, a far cry from its near-bankruptcy scare in 2017. Company leaders credit their success over the past handful of years to its commitment to customers and a diverse income stream.   While serving prominent corporate clients, FMS also caters to projects of all sizes. The company expanded into the security sector through the acquisition of Bigstar Security in 2022, embracing new opportunities for growth and success. In recognition of FMS’ strategic shift and its impressive growth — transforming from an AV integrator to a security and Internet of Things (IoT) provider — Commercial Integrator  has awarded Felix Media Solutions the title of 2023 Integrator of the Year.   From IT E...

Essence Group, Enviroblind Partner on MyShield Distribution Agreement

HOBOKEN, N.J.—Essence Group, a technology group developing and supplying wireless, cloud-based security solutions for homes and businesses, has announced a partnership with Enviroblind, one of California’s largest installers of security shutters for over 45 years, to offer MyShield, a standalone security fog-generating intruder intervention system, to their business and residential customers across the West Coast of the U.S.. “We are excited to expand our U.S.-based partnerships by providing customers with a comprehensive security approach that combines proactive intrusion response with intervention capabilities to effectively stop break-ins,” says Dr. Haim Amir, CEO and founder of Essence Group . “Through our collaboration with Enviroblind , business and residential property owners will now be able to stop intruders from penetrating vulnerable points of entry. MyShield empowers individuals to bolster their security measures by safely removing threats quickly and from a distance for a...

How Ajax has undergone quality testing in the USA and Canada with the example of UL Certification

Ajax is the most prestigious wireless security system in Europe. Our devices have undergone certification defined by the Type 5 Certification Scheme. This is the most stringent quality testing in the European market, as it combines the complexities of all… from Ajax Systems | Official website https://ajax.systems/blog/ul-certification-usa/ via CCTV Engineer

Genetec Shares Its Predictions for 2024’s Top Physical Security Trends

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MONTRÉAL —Unified security, public safety, operations and business intelligence solutions provider Genetec Inc. , has shared its top predictions for the physical security industry in 2024. Here’s a closer look at what the company expects for the space in the next 12 months: IT and Physical Security Teams Will Become More United In the coming year, organizations will look to optimize collaboration between IT and physical security teams. Bridging these two valuable skill sets will result in more effective risk mitigation and data optimization across the business. Physical security leaders are increasingly integrating IT expertise into their departments. Simultaneously, security operations (SecOps) are broadening their function to address physical security risks, leveraging data from both groups. More and more, IT will bring physical security within their group and begin overseeing physical security mandates. The need for unified, cloud-connected physical security solutions will in...

Snap One to Host Training Sessions at ISE 2024

CHARLOTTE, N.C.— Highlighting its focus on continuing education and integrator support across every market, smart living solutions provider Snap One (ISE booth #2L130) will offer four training courses over two days at ISE 2024 to help dealers and potential dealers stay up-to-date on the latest products and solutions, ranging from colored lighting and surveillance to remote system management. All four courses are being offered twice, with a full schedule on both Wednesday, Jan. 31 and Thursday, Feb. 1. Attendees can pre-register here  for any of the hour-long courses, which will all be held in room CC4.2. “Technology changes quickly, so Snap One consistently offers our Partners training and educational opportunities to ensure they are equipped to handle all requests and deliver premium solutions for every client,” says Rus Rasmussen, Sr. director, worldwide education at Snap One . “We have been aggressively introducing new products and launching new features, so there is a lo...