Solving Loitering and Open Access Challenges

Loitering is generally not considered a crime with few instances of arrests reported nationally, but it is becoming an increasing problem for a multitude of reasons. One being the use of private spaces such as public-faced restrooms for drug use, other forms of illicit behavior, or as safe havens where homeless individuals are seeking shelter and protection from the elements. In any case, the misuse and prolonged occupancy of publicly accessible spaces prevents them from being accessed for their intended purposes by legitimate users.

In addition to causing an inconvenience to patrons and employees, the misuse of these spaces increases maintenance and upkeep costs and poses potential liabilities for their respective owners – whether it be a local municipality or a corporation.

Increase in Incidents
The increase in incidents involving public facing spaces has driven the demand for cost-effective and reliable means of detecting when access to these areas occurs, and how long the spaces are being occupied. Otherwise, it becomes difficult if not impossible to determine when an individual occupied a specific area such as a restroom, and how long they have been inside.

The challenge with conventional forms of monitoring and/or limiting entry to public facing areas conflicts with the intent to maintain free access to spaces that should be accessible to the public. This is further compounded by the challenge and often mandated obligation to respect individuals’ rights to privacy. In most instances, this all but automatically precludes the use of traditional access control and video surveillance solutions, and the deployment of staff at every public facing area is simply inefficient on many levels.

It is no secret that new IoT sensor technologies have been finding their way into a multitude of professional and consumer products, including many new and innovative security and business intelligence applications. But these sensors are inherently engineered for integration into more complex and often expensive electronic systems – like access control and video surveillance – and not as stand-alone solutions.

This can make deployment of IoT sensors too costly for most applications where they are most needed and would prove to be most beneficial.

Driving the Demand
Consequently, the market is driving demand for new versatile and cost-effective stand-alone occupancy alert solutions, as more organizations across the country are being forced to deal with issues and liabilities related to publicly accessible spaces. Altronix responded with the development of a new, somewhat simple and highly affordable and effective solution called TempoA2. Designed with an integral two-stage timer, these new occupancy sensors are activated by an optical strike plate on the door to indicate when the door to a room or space is closed.

The sensor can issue an alert that the space has been occupied and activates a timer, preprogrammed for a specific duration of time. When the door is opened, the timer is cancelled. But if the preset duration is exceeded, the sensor issues a second alert. The timer can be programmed for different two-staged alerts with multiple outputs to accommodate diverse types of notification devices – from simple stand-alone lights and sounders to integration with access control and/or video systems that already may be in place.

Additionally, one TempoA2 can be deployed to monitor two adjacent protected areas. This stand-alone, simple to deploy occupancy solution is ideal for public facing facilities that typically have more than one restroom on premise, as is common in most retail establishments, convenience stores, restaurants, universities, sports venues, parks and recreation areas. TempoA2 occupancy sensors can also be equipped with Altronix LINQ network communications to issue real-time remote alarms and status information, along with normal traffic activity monitoring.

In addition to resolving challenges with public facing restrooms, new occupancy sensor solutions like the TempoA2 provide a cost-effective solution for a wide range of vertical applications. A few examples include deployment in banks to monitor traffic in bank vaults; pharmacies to ensure areas with controlled substances are secured; dressing rooms in both large and small retail establishments; nursing rooms and pods commonly found in venues like airports and houses of worship; and even for operational areas like walk in freezers found in most supermarkets and food processing plants to help ensure that freezer doors remain closed to protect valuable inventory.

These are just some of the applications for these new versatile and cost-effective occupancy sensors, that simply make good business sense.

This article originally appeared in the March / April 2024 issue of Security Today.

About the Author

Ronnie Pennington is the national sales engineer at Altronix Corp.

Featured

  • Pragmatism, Productivity, and the Push for Accountability in 2025-2026

    Every year, the security industry debates whether artificial intelligence is a disruption, an enabler, or a distraction. By 2025, that conversation matured, where AI became a working dimension in physical identity and access management (PIAM) programs. Observations from 2025 highlight this turning point in AI’s role in access control and define how security leaders are being distinguished based on how they apply it. Read Now

  • Report: Cyber Attackers Continue to Turn to AI-Based Tools to Avoid Detection

    Comcast Business recently released its 2025 Cybersecurity Threat Report, a comprehensive analysis of 34.6 billion cybersecurity events detected between June 1,2024 and May 31, 2025. Now in its third year, the report offers business leaders a unique perspective into the evolving threat landscape and provides actionable insights to help organizations strengthen their defenses and align cybersecurity with business risk. Read Now

  • Axis Communications Creates AI-powered Video Surveillance Orchestra

    What if cameras could not only see the world, but interpret it—and respond like orchestra musicians reading sheet music: instantly, precisely, and in perfect harmony? That’s what global network technology leader Axis Communications set to find out. Read Now

  • Just as Expected

    GSX produced a wonderful tradeshow earlier this week. Monday was surprisingly strong in the morning, and the afternoon wasn’t bad at all. That’s Monday’s results and asking attendees to travel on Sunday. Just a quick hint, no one wants to give up their weekend to travel and set up an exhibit booth. I’m just saying. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX
  • NOLA: The Crescent City

    Twenty years later we finds ourselves in New Orleans. Twenty years ago the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina forced exhibitors and attendees to look elsewhere for tradeshow floor space. Read Now

    • Industry Events
    • GSX

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.

  • QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC)

    The latest Qualcomm® Vision Intelligence Platform offers next-generation smart camera IoT solutions to improve safety and security across enterprises, cities and spaces. The Vision Intelligence Platform was expanded in March 2022 with the introduction of the QCS7230 System-on-Chip (SoC), which delivers superior artificial intelligence (AI) inferencing at the edge.

  • Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden CV-7600 High Security Card Readers

    Camden Door Controls has relaunched its CV-7600 card readers in response to growing market demand for a more secure alternative to standard proximity credentials that can be easily cloned. CV-7600 readers support MIFARE DESFire EV1 & EV2 encryption technology credentials, making them virtually clone-proof and highly secure.