Editor's Note

Focus on Protection

Good business is about partnerships. Our cover story in this issue comes from Jeff Huggins who has written about different examples of not only keeping people secure, but also offering protection.

Huggins writes, “We need to engage more creatively with the communities we serve.” One of the more interesting facets of his personal experience is his involvement with the USO for more than 21 years. Any member of the military that has had substantial deployment time understands the helping hand that the USO truly is.

This is a fascinating story, and I’m sure you’ll find it to your liking.

We all know that big cities are rife with crime. It is; however, smaller communities that get the overflow of criminals seeking a safe haven. Milestone’s Courtney Dillon Pedersen writes a case study about the village of Manteno. The city is just south of Chicago where crime is prevalent and perpetrators hit the road after the dastardly deed.

Police in Manteno are notified that there has been a crime and have deployed video surveillance for forensic purposes as a way to monitor cars in the area.

Also in this issue, Greg Hamm of Delta Scientific writes about a way to stop a terrorist from leaving the roadway and crashing into dozens of pedestrians. Cities have used barriers to cordon off sidewalks, popular congregation areas and soft targets. Remember when a lone wolf terrorist used a vehicle along the Hudson River Park’s path in Lower Manhattan? He rammed the vehicle into more than a dozen people; killing eight.

The answer to this situation, and others like it, has been a crash-tested portable bollard system.

Inside this issue, you’ll find countless ideas and tips on how to improve security in the public sector, but also the opportunity to count your partnerships and engage more creatively within the communities that you serve.

This article originally appeared in the October 2018 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Ralph C. Jensen is the Publisher/Editor in chief of Security Today magazine.

Featured

  • Security Industry Association Announces the 2026 Security Megatrends

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has identified and forecasted the 2026 Security Megatrends, which form the basis of SIA’s signature annual Security Megatrends report defining the top 10 factors influencing both near- and long-term change in the global security industry. Read Now

  • The Future of Access Control: Cloud-Based Solutions for Safer Workplaces

    Access controls have revolutionized the way we protect our people, assets and operations. Gone are the days of cumbersome keychains and the security liabilities they introduced, but it’s a mistake to think that their evolution has reached its peak. Read Now

  • A Look at AI

    Large language models (LLMs) have taken the world by storm. Within months of OpenAI launching its AI chatbot, ChatGPT, it amassed more than 100 million users, making it the fastest-growing consumer application in history. Read Now

  • First, Do No Harm: Responsibly Applying Artificial Intelligence

    It was 2022 when early LLMs (Large Language Models) brought the term “AI” into mainstream public consciousness and since then, we’ve seen security corporations and integrators attempt to develop their solutions and sales pitches around the biggest tech boom of the 21st century. However, not all “artificial intelligence” is equally suitable for security applications, and it’s essential for end users to remain vigilant in understanding how their solutions are utilizing AI. Read Now

  • Improve Incident Response With Intelligent Cloud Video Surveillance

    Video surveillance is a vital part of business security, helping institutions protect against everyday threats for increased employee, customer, and student safety. However, many outdated surveillance solutions lack the ability to offer immediate insights into critical incidents. This slows down investigations and limits how effectively teams can respond to situations, creating greater risks for the organization. Read Now

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction.

  • Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden CM-221 Series Switches

    Camden Door Controls is pleased to announce that, in response to soaring customer demand, it has expanded its range of ValueWave™ no-touch switches to include a narrow (slimline) version with manual override. This override button is designed to provide additional assurance that the request to exit switch will open a door, even if the no-touch sensor fails to operate. This new slimline switch also features a heavy gauge stainless steel faceplate, a red/green illuminated light ring, and is IP65 rated, making it ideal for indoor or outdoor use as part of an automatic door or access control system. ValueWave™ no-touch switches are designed for easy installation and trouble-free service in high traffic applications. In addition to this narrow version, the CM-221 & CM-222 Series switches are available in a range of other models with single and double gang heavy-gauge stainless steel faceplates and include illuminated light rings.

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis.