Las Vegas Resort Testing Discreet Weapons Screening Device

Las Vegas Resort Testing Discreet Weapons Screening Device

In the wake of October’s Mandalay Bay shooting that left 59 dead, a hotel in Las Vegas has begun testing a discreet weapon-sensing security device.

In the wake of October’s Mandalay Bay shooting that left 59 dead, a hotel in Las Vegas has begun testing a discreet weapon-sensing security device. The device is called the Patscan Cognitive Microwave Radar and is currently installed at Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino’s employee entrance.

The Patscan CMR units are small enough to hide inside existing building structure such as walls, doorways and turnstiles without being noticeable – a feature many Vegas casinos and resorts prefer, as it provides a security solution without disrupting the guest experience.

The device uses short-range radar and machine learning algorithms to scan individual guests for weapons without having them walk through large metal detectors. It emits electromagnetic radiation that makes microwaves in a certain frequency range and monitors for electromagnetic patterns inside the device’s two-meter detection range.

Weapons such as pistols, grenades, knives, rifles, machine guns, machetes and pressure-cooker bombs all resonate according to their shape when hit with electromagnetic radiation at this frequency, allowing them to be detected. The Patscan uses PatriotOne’s database of known radar signatures to tell random objects from weapons and notify security staff as needed.

"When somebody is entering a building or public facility, the device can detect whether they're carrying a knife or a gun or a bomb," said Martin Cronin, CEO of Patriot One Technologies, the Patscan’s manufacturer.

The device doesn’t require an active operator either, as they can “network the alarms, integrate the camera systems [and] integrate with access controls,” Cronin said.

The call for inconspicuous ways to screen for concealed weapons in Vegas has been renewed since authorities searched the Mandalay Bay gunman’s hotel room after the incident and found 23 firearms. Resorts and casinos have struggled to balance the fun of Vegas with the very real security concerns their businesses require.

"People come to Vegas because it's the fun capital of the world," said Mark Waltrip, Westgate Resort’s chief operating officer. "If they show up at their resort and they have to line up for metal detectors, or get wanded down, or walk through a gauntlet of security guards carrying rifles and pistols—that's not going to make them feel comfortable. It's going to ruin their experience."

But safety is still the priority, Waltrip said.

“On our properties, we want to maintain a safe environment, and we don’t need guests bringing weapons on site,” he said. “We really don’t want that kind of surprise.”

 

About the Author

Jessica Davis is the Associate Content Editor for 1105 Media.

Featured

  • Survey: 54% of Organizations Cite Technical Debt as Top Hurdle to Identity System Modernization

    Modernizing identity systems is proving difficult for organizations due to two key challenges: decades of accumulated Identity and Access Management (IAM) technical debt and the complexity of managing access across multiple identity providers (IDPs). These findings come from the new Strata Identity-commissioned report, State of Multi-Cloud Identity: Insights and Trends for 2025. The report, based on survey data from the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), highlights trends and challenges in securing cloud environments. The CSA is the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment. Read Now

  • Study: Nearly Half of Companies Exclude Cybersecurity Teams When Developing, Onboarding and Implementing AI Solutions

    Only 35 percent of cybersecurity professionals or teams are involved in the development of policy governing the use of AI technology in their enterprise, and nearly half (45 percent) report no involvement in the development, onboarding, or implementation of AI solutions, according to the recently released 2024 State of Cybersecurity survey report from ISACA, a global professional association advancing trust in technology. Read Now

  • New Report Series Highlights E-Commerce Threats, Fraud Against Retailers

    Trustwave, a cybersecurity and managed security services provider, recently released a series of reports detailing the threats facing the retail sector, marking the second year of its ongoing research into these critical security issues. Read Now

  • Stay Secure in 2024: Updated Cybersecurity Tips for the Office and at Home

    Cyber criminals get more inventive every year. Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and are a moving target for business owners in 2024. Companies large and small need to employ cybersecurity best practices throughout their organization. That includes security integrators, manufacturers, and end users. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • A8V MIND

    A8V MIND

    Hexagon’s Geosystems presents a portable version of its Accur8vision detection system. A rugged all-in-one solution, the A8V MIND (Mobile Intrusion Detection) is designed to provide flexible protection of critical outdoor infrastructure and objects. Hexagon’s Accur8vision is a volumetric detection system that employs LiDAR technology to safeguard entire areas. Whenever it detects movement in a specified zone, it automatically differentiates a threat from a nonthreat, and immediately notifies security staff if necessary. Person detection is carried out within a radius of 80 meters from this device. Connected remotely via a portable computer device, it enables remote surveillance and does not depend on security staff patrolling the area. 3

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities 3

  • Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation.

    Connect ONE®

    Connect ONE’s powerful cloud-hosted management platform provides the means to tailor lockdowns and emergency mass notifications throughout a facility – while simultaneously alerting occupants to hazards or next steps, like evacuation. 3