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The threat of active shooters is a concern for business owners, community members and law enforcement alike. Companies can help prevent tragedy and protect their employees and customers by investing in common sense electronic security solutions.
According to the FBI, there were 277 documented active shooter incidents between 2000 and 2018 resulting in 2,430 deaths and injuries. Most of these shootings took place at businesses (43.7%) and schools (20.6%). Both private citizens and business owners can feel powerless when faced with those grave statistics, but there are real security steps you can take to help prevent this kind of tragedy.
For business owners, one powerful preventive step is the deployment of electronic security.
In addition to maintaining an open line of communication with authorities (sometimes referred to as “leakage”), your business can add advanced security measures to your property to detect dangerous individuals, keep track of who is on-site, and aid police and private security in gathering evidence that can stop would-be criminals in their tracks.
As shootings proliferate, electronic security innovates. For business owners doing their part to prevent shootings in their community, here are five products that can make a difference:
1. Facial recognition
A concept once relegated to spy movies is now a reality. Facial recognition software is one of the most powerful tools businesses can use to prevent active shooters.
Facial recognition tools are able to identify individuals who might be considered a person of interest and alert administrators, security teams, and even local police of their appearance. Facial recognition solutions such as the Digifort Facial PLUS System and video management software (VMS) can integrate with access control, trigger audible warning sounds and send warning emails. This software accounts for margin of error due to aging, can determine gender and even assesses a subject’s emotional state based on facial expression.
2. License plate recognition
Like facial recognition software, license plate recognition is a tool designed to spot individuals who are known to be threats. This electronic security technology identifies vehicles associated with wanted or prohibited individuals and can integrate with other systems to send warnings and lock doors.
When using license plate recognition software, such as Milestone Systems XProtect Access Reader Device License, pair it with an infrared camera that works in all lightings and positions and operates with a fixed lens. This will allow the clearest view for the software to do its work.
3. People counter
People counting is especially useful for businesses where crowds gather or large numbers pass through daily. It can be useful during events or simple day-to-day operations.
People counting technology, such as the Axis Communications 3D People Counter can track the number of people entering an area using automated technology. When deploying this solution, consider all the entrances and exits of the building, including both those available to the public and only to employees.
Entrances that are wide enough for multiple individuals to enter side-by-side may result in a margin of error, but even so, this technology is more reliable than counting on the human ability to track people alone.
4. Perimeter protection
For large properties with long borders, perimeter protection is the first line of defense against any potential active shooter. In addition to installing barriers such as high walls, double walls, barbed wire, warning signs, and good lighting, electronic tools like the Magos Systems SR-1000 Perimeter Protection Radar are affordable, reliable ways to ensure the safety of your employees and customers. The Magos Systems SR-100 can cover an area up to approximately 200 acres using very little energy. This efficient device is effective even in crowded or cluttered areas.
5. Mobile access control
Mobile access control systems allow mobile devices, like smartphones, to unlock doors at your facility. These work in tandem with the security solutions we’ve mentioned so far to create access denial systems that are not easily defeated but can still be disarmed remotely by authorized personnel. Not only do these systems help prevent bad actors — including potential active shooters — from penetrating a property, but they can also be used to remotely allow police officers and other emergency responders access to doors that are typically locked.
Electronic security from Unisol
Unisol specializes in electronic security. We offer a wide catalog of products that can aid with deployable surveillance, mobile surveillance, mobile access control, perimeter protection, people counting, facial recognition, license plate recognition and more. We ship products worldwide faster than anybody else in the business and offer complete IT installation services. Contact us to help find the tools you need to keep your employees and customers safe in all situations.
