Adding Sound and Safety

Adding Sound and Safety

Customs checkpoint areas at JFK airport gets a little help from friends

  • By Richard Brent
  • Feb 01, 2019

John F. Kennedy International Airport is the sixth busiest airport in the United States, handling more than 59 million passengers last year alone, according to the 2017 Traffic Report by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. Located in New York City, only 15 miles from Manhattan, JFK airport serves as a gateway to the U.S. for travelers coming from destinations across the globe.

A key part of facilitating safe travel is ensuring that dangerous people and substances do not enter the country. In July, immigration officials arrested a woman—a U.S. citizen arriving at JFK airport from Mexico—who had concealed more than nine pounds heroin valued at $300,000.1

At JFK Airport, immigration officers process hundreds of international passengers per flight. With the continual influx of people combined with limited staffing, law enforcement personnel are increasingly looking for technologies to enhance their efforts to deter illegal entry or trafficking and aid in crime investigation.

The Need for Audio Clarity

In 2018, immigration checkpoint areas at the JFK airport needed to upgrade their current security system with new, high-performing technologies. Immigration and law enforcement officers were interested in an audio monitoring solution that could produce clear audio. Previously, JFK Airport international terminal one had been outfitted with standard video surveillance and microphones. Much like any airport, the high noise levels caused complications for the audio equipment, which picked up ambient noise making playback challenging.

To troubleshoot the issue, immigration officers turned to systems integrator American Integrated Security Group (AISG). Based in College Point, N.Y., AISG is one of the security industry’s leading systems integrators, specializing in the design and deployment of open platform integrated systems for several industries including government, transportation and utilities. The integrator later called in audio security company, Louroe Electronics, to assess the terminal’s audio system.

The team did a full onsite evaluation of the current audio setup and were able to identify the limitations of the current system, which were due to the type of microphone deployed and where they were placed. The audio manufacturer also showed immigration officials new audio solutions that could enhance the entire security system.

Security Upgrade and Installation

In order to improve situational awareness in terminal one, a new audio system was designed to include the deployment of over 100 microphones, which AISG installed in the fall of 2018. The new system enables audio capture capability throughout each step of the immigration and customs process—from initial checkpoint areas all the way to interview and secondary screening rooms.

Louroe’s Verifact L-DT microphones are placed at all 32 passport-check podiums to verify interactions travelers have with officers. Designed as a bi-directional microphone that adheres to tabletop or counter surfaces, the L-DT picks up sound from both the officer and passenger while minimizing background noise. For individuals detained by agents for additional questioning and asked to stand in the waiting area behind the podium, the omnidirectional Verifact B-6 microphone is deployed. In this setup, the B-6 is mounted on the high ceiling while the microphone element is hung down and able to capture audio from several feet below.

Bag checks are another important step in the immigrations process. To ensure that all sound is captured during screenings and searches, Verifact LD-T microphones are mounted on the podiums in the baggage area, as well as the B-6 in the surrounding area to capture any additional sound. The sound from both microphones is combined via the company’s RN-2 audio mixer, which allows security staff to get a larger area for that station.

For suspects who require further screening or questioning, officers required audio equipment in interview rooms, booking areas, and holding cells. For these applications, the Verifact A is simply mounted on walls and ceilings in each interview room and holding cell, and strategically placed on the booking area ceiling. The microphones can be integrated with all video surveillance cameras and video management systems.

Technology Benefit

Having exceptional audio is imperative for operations, so that immigration officers can not only see but also hear exactly what is being said. The audio also helps them to better assess individuals. When reviewing footage either in real-time or for forensic evaluation, immigration officers look for any visual, physiological and verbal cues that might indicate falsehood or suspicious behavior. In this regard, the audio has helped customs officers gather additional information.

The sound component of the security system also gives officials peace of mind, knowing they have complete audio coverage of the entire immigration and customs area and that a verbal record of all needed conversations will be clear and fully admissible in court.

Cost-Savings

Not only did the new solutions produce exceptional sound quality for the application, but they also yielded a cost-savings. With the ability to place the microphones directly into the surveillance cameras, the integrator didn’t have to install an additional interface to send the audio to the video management system.

Additionally, when working with traditional legacy or analog equipment, every microphone and camera requires its own power supply. Running cable through an airport from the switchboard location to the installation area is expensive and quite a challenge due the constant flow of people. To solve this issue, the organization deployed the IFPX solution, which powers audio and video equipment by a single Cat-5 cable.

By eliminating the need for extra equipment and cabling, immigration officials were able to save on infrastructure costs and AISG was able to save on installation labor.

Looking Towards the Future

Crime prevention is a top priority for immigration officers at the JFK Airport international terminal. Thanks to its security upgrade, officers are better equipped to deal with the everyday challenges they face. In fact, they plan to deploy the audio solutions in other areas of the airport, including international terminal seven. Immigration officials are committed to adding sound and safety to their operations at JFK airport and protecting the public and our borders from harmful materials and people.

This article originally appeared in the January/February 2019 issue of Security Today.

Featured

  • From Surveillance to Intelligence

    Years ago, it would have been significantly more expensive to run an analytic like that — requiring a custom-built solution with burdensome infrastructure demands — but modern edge devices have made it accessible to everyone. It also saves time, which is a critical factor if a missing child is involved. Video compression technology has played a critical role as well. Over the years, significant advancements have been made in video coding standards — including H.263, MPEG formats, and H.264—alongside compression optimization technologies developed by IP video manufacturers to improve efficiency without sacrificing quality. The open-source AV1 codec developed by the Alliance for Open Media—a consortium including Google, Netflix, Microsoft, Amazon and others — is already the preferred decoder for cloud-based applications, and is quickly becoming the standard for video compression of all types. Read Now

  • Cost: Reactive vs. Proactive Security

    Security breaches often happen despite the availability of tools to prevent them. To combat this problem, the industry is shifting from reactive correction to proactive protection. This article will examine why so many security leaders have realized they must “lead before the breach” – not after. Read Now

  • Achieving Clear Audio

    In today’s ever-changing world of security and risk management, effective communication via an intercom and door entry communication system is a critical communication tool to keep a facility’s staff, visitors and vendors safe. Read Now

  • Beyond Apps: Access Control for Today’s Residents

    The modern resident lives in an app-saturated world. From banking to grocery delivery, fitness tracking to ridesharing, nearly every service demands another download. But when it comes to accessing the place you live, most people do not want to clutter their phone with yet another app, especially if its only purpose is to open a door. Read Now

  • Survey: 48 Percent of Worshippers Feel Less Safe Attending In-Person Services

    Almost half (48%) of those who attend religious services say they feel less safe attending in-person due to rising acts of violence at places of worship. In fact, 39% report these safety concerns have led them to change how often they attend in-person services, according to new research from Verkada conducted online by The Harris Poll among 1,123 U.S. adults who attend a religious service or event at least once a month. Read Now

Most   Popular

New Products

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • PE80 Series

    PE80 Series by SARGENT / ED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin

    ASSA ABLOY, a global leader in access solutions, has announced the launch of two next generation exit devices from long-standing leaders in the premium exit device market: the PE80 Series by SARGENT and the PED4000/PED5000 Series by Corbin Russwin. These new exit devices boast industry-first features that are specifically designed to provide enhanced safety, security and convenience, setting new standards for exit solutions. The SARGENT PE80 and Corbin Russwin PED4000/PED5000 Series exit devices are engineered to meet the ever-evolving needs of modern buildings. Featuring the high strength, security and durability that ASSA ABLOY is known for, the new exit devices deliver several innovative, industry-first features in addition to elegant design finishes for every opening.