Toy Gun Alert

Boeing Co. was able to run an actual emergency exercise at its Ridley Township, Delaware County, Penn., plant April 21. No one knew this was going to happen because no one expected testing emergency procedures.

An employee brought a fake gun to work. The fake weapon was to be used in a static display, but he didn’t let anyone else know he was bringing the fake gun, or for that matter that what he had in his hands wasn’t real.

In the end, Boeing spokesman Joe LaMarca said it was an event that got everyone’s attention, but he concluded, “It’s really a non-incident.” And, if it would have been the real deal, it could have been a huge incident.

Emergency procedures were put in place shortly after 9 a.m. when a employees reported to security that they saw a man pass through an employee entrance “carrying what appeared to be an assault weapon.” As you can well imagine, the plant was shut down.

Boeing acted swiftly in evacuating the locked down plant, and contacting local police. Law enforcement response was outstanding, according to LaMarca. Police were able to identify and locate the employee, who was carrying a mockup of a weapon that was intended for display in a shell of a Boeing helicopter, which also has fake engines. The display is used at tradeshows.

The employee forgot to inform security what he was doing, and that he would be bringing a fake weapon to the office. The upside, if there is one, is that company emergency preparedness officials were ready, just in case. You have to understand that the Boeing site isn’t an office building, but rather a sprawling plant site.

As it turns out, it was a worthwhile exercise for a possible event employees can’t take for granted any longer. Boeing security and emergency preparedness officials, as well as local law enforcement, deserve a gold star.

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

Most   Popular

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.

  • 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.

  • 4K Video Decoder

    3xLOGIC’s VH-DECODER-4K is perfect for use in organizations of all sizes in diverse vertical sectors such as retail, leisure and hospitality, education and commercial premises.