Utah Considering Hidden Security Measures for Sundance Film Festival

Utah Considering Hidden Security Measures for Sundance Film Festival

A new technology that can covertly detect weapons is being considered by Utah officials to secure large events and public spaces.

  • By Sydny Shepard
  • May 24, 2019

A Utah official has partnered with a security company known for making a covert weapons detection system and is hoping to partner with schools, stadiums and churches to install the product for a layered security approach that is less invasive.

Utah Attourney General Sean Reyes and Georgia-based Liberty Defense Solutions are working together to test and promote the HEXWAVE product, which uses 3D imaging and artificial intelligence to detect concealed weapons on people in public spaces.

HEXWAVE scans for objects like guns, knives and explosives obscured by clothing or bags. The product can hidden in walls or other commonplace structures so that passersby can walk past without realizing they are being scanned.

The technology appears to "strike a balance between privacy interests on one side and security and safety," according to Reyes. 

The agreement between Reyes and Liberty Defense allows for introductions to be made between the company and prospective clients as well as advising interested parties of the potential uses for the solution. Police in Pro City, Utah have spoken with Liberty Defense about the potential uses of HEXWAVE to help secure the Sundance Film Festival because the imaging technology identifies objects rather than the people carrying them, according to an article by The Salt Lake Tribune. 

"If you can imagine an open place like Park City during Sundance to be able to have a little more of an awareness of what — and not who and what their identity is and where they live and what their driver's license is — but what they might have on them and where it is, to make sure everybody is as safe as possible," Reyes said.

The technology could also be used as a way to identify threats in other settings such as sporting and concert arenas, school campuses, churches, government buildings and amusement parks. 

About the Author

Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.

Featured

  • Allegion, Comfort Technologies Implement Mobile Credentials at the Artisan Apartment Homes in Florida

    Artisan Apartment Homes, a luxury apartment complex in Dunedin, Florida, recently transitioned from mechanical keys to electronic locks and centralized system software with support from Allegion US, a leading provider of security solutions, technology and services, and Florida-based Comfort Technologies, which specializes in deploying multifamily access control, IoT devices and software management solutions. Read Now

  • Mall of America Deploys AI-Powered Analytics to Enhance Parking Intelligence

    Mall of America®, the largest shopping and entertainment complex in North America, announced an expansion of its ongoing partnership with Axis Communications to deploy cutting-edge car-counting video analytics across more than a dozen locations. With this expansion, Mall of America (MOA) has boosted operational efficiency, improved safety and security, and enabled more informed decision-making around employee scheduling and streamlining transportation for large events. Read Now

  • Security Industry Association Launches New “askSIA” AI Tool

    The Security Industry Association (SIA) has unveiled a brand-new SIA member benefit – askSIA, a conversational AI agent designed to help users get the most out of their SIA membership, easily access SIA resources and find the latest information on SIA’s training and courses, reports and publications, events, certification offerings and more. SIA members can easily find askSIA by visiting the SIA homepage or looking for the askSIA icon in the top left of webpages. Read Now

    • Industry Events

  • Industry Embraces Mobile Access, Biometrics and AI

    A combination of evolving workplace dynamics, technology innovation and new user expectations is changing how people enter and interact with physical spaces. Access control is at the heart of these changes. Combined with biometrics and AI, mobile access control has become increasingly crucial for deploying entry solutions that are seamless, secure and adaptive to user needs. Read Now

  • Sustainable Video Solution Delivered for Landmark City of London Office Development

    An advanced, end-to-end video solution from IDIS, with a focus on reducing waste and costs, has helped a major office development in the City of London align its security with sustainability objectives. 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.