Weapon detection

UVeye, global provider of top-tier solutions for automated external inspection of vehicles, has officially launched its UV Inspect threat detection technology. Developed to instantly detect threats – such as bombs, weapons, and drugs – stowed in the undercarriage of vehicles, UV Inspect is powered by deep learning computer vision technologies. UV Inspect threat detection UV Inspect meets the challenge of automating threat detection for new and unfamiliar vehicles. The pioneering UV Inspect algorithm analyses each vehicle part separately, using the deep learning computer vision to identify every element on the undercarriage of the vehicle and detect threats within seconds. This advancement in detection capabilities is built on UVeye’s extensive work in training its deep learning algorithms to truly understand what each part of a vehicle is supposed to look like, independent of make or model or the need for previous examples on record. Examples of the depth of this research become evident in the UV Inspect technology’s ability to identify items like an exhaust pipe without having previously scanned the vehicle. UVeye is addressing the needs of border control operators and other security professionals" Secure vehicle scanning “As the first to offer a true first pass solution, UVeye is addressing the needs of border control operators and other security professionals tasked with examining non-repeat traffic to securely scan vehicles passing through their checkpoints,” says Amir Hever, UVeye’s CEO and co-founder. He adds, “Our team has developed a reliable method of identifying anomalous objects without the need for earlier reference points, using only the information captured in our high resolution images at the time of the scan.” UVcompare deep learning-driven system With this launch, UV Inspect joins UVeye’s arsenal of detection technologies, which includes UVcompare, the deep learning-driven system that monitors trends of repeat traffic to identify changes which could indicate a threat or issue for concern. This technology works by identifying trends on a specific vehicle over time, without the need to compare the image to a model from the manufacturer. In the coming months, UVeye plans to expand the implementation of the UV Inspect technology to further support its global customers across the security market. UVeye’s technology is currently deployed all over the world at high security facilities such as banks, embassies, prisons, military bases, airports, and more.

Aegis AI, a venture capital-backed AI startup, which provides computer vision software to turn any security camera into a threat-detecting smart camera, has announced that it is rebranding as Actuate and launched new AI threat-detection features included in it. After careful analysis of the company’s market positioning, Actuate leadership decided to adopt the new brand name in alignment with its new features, which expand the firm’s offerings beyond gun detection. Intruder- and threat-detection AI solutions Our new intruder- and threat-detection features help make our customers safer" The new features include intruder- and threat-detection AI solutions. The Actuate system can now alert customers to unauthorised entry to customer facilities and catch individuals acting in a threatening manner even before weapons are fully visible. “Our new intruder- and threat-detection features help make our customers safer,” said Ben Ziomek, Actuate chief product officer. “We’re excited to offer them to the market as we debut a new brand that highlights our expanded scope.” Vertical-specific marketing content Actuate is also launching new, vertical-specific marketing content that targets healthcare, education, corporate, and public-sector customers as part of the rebrand. The new Actuate logo modernises the brand while maintaining the key colors and look-and-feel that defined the Aegis brand. It moves the brand from a focus on its defensive posture to a more general, enterprise-ready brand that opens the door to Actuate’s use as a building-management platform. Deep data science and AI Actuate was founded in early 2018 by University of Chicago MBAs Sonny Tai and Ben Ziomek. Tai is a former Marine Corps captain who spent his formative years in Johannesburg, South Africa, where gun violence rates are some of the highest in the world, while Ziomek brings deep data science and AI expertise gained from his time as a program manager at Microsoft. “This rebrand recognises that we’ve grown as a company,” said Tai, Actuate’s chief executive officer. “I’m thrilled to announce new intruder- and threat-detection features, which we feel strongly, contribute to our central goal of making society safer.”

ShotSpotter, Inc., a pioneer in solutions that help law enforcement officials identify, locate and deter gun violence, announced that the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted ShotSpotter U.S. Patent No. 10,424,048 entitled “Systems and Methods Involving Creation and/or Utilisation of Image Mosaics in Classification of Acoustic Events”. ShotSpotter’s real-time gunshot detection solution uses a two-step process that employs both machine classification and human review. The system is able to distinguish with high accuracy whether a loud, impulsive sound detected by its acoustic sensors is a gunshot or a non-gunshot incident, such as fireworks, in less than 60 seconds. The innovation behind this 33rd patent granted to ShotSpotter covers the conversion of multiple features of the audio event into a set of visual displays that are combined into a single image mosaic. This enables the system to leverage “deep learning” neural networks that typically identify and classify images, not sounds. Innovation in AI efforts We continue to advance our solutions so that our customers are provided best gunshot detection solution” Since its implementation, this approach, along with the ability to train the system using ShotSpotter’s proprietary database of over 14 million gunshot and non-gunshot incidents, has resulted in significant improvements in machine classification accuracy. Events that are machine-classified with high confidence as non-gunshots can now be excluded from the human classification step. This allows more focused expert review of probable gunshots in ShotSpotter’s Incident review Center (IRC) prior to notifying patrol officers digitally about the gunfire incident location. Additionally, the company expects to benefit as its customer base grows by being more efficient in the staffing of the IRC. “Despite having no direct competitors for our wide-area municipal gunshot detection service, we continue to invest in R&D to extend our platform and improve the associated technology. This patent represents another important innovation in our AI efforts,” said Ralph A. Clark, President and CEO of ShotSpotter. "We will continue to advance our solutions so that our law enforcement customers are provided the highest-quality gunshot detection solution to help keep their communities safe.”

ShotSpotter, Inc., global provider of security solutions that help law enforcement officials identify, locate and deter gun violence and active shooter incidents, has announced an updated version of ShotSpotter Missions – an AI-driven crime forecasting and patrol management software tool. Acquired from HunchLab in late 2018, today’s product release represents ShotSpotter’s first set of enhancements as it extends its penetration into this emerging category.  ShotSpotter Missions The new enhancement to ShotSpotter Missions enables current and future ShotSpotter gunshot detection customers to regularly and accurately update crime and gunfire forecasts so that law enforcement agencies can better plan patrol missions. Updates are scheduled to happen every 24 hours as gunfire events unfold and as patrol shifts consistently monitor ShotSpotter coverage areas across their city. Agencies can then filter the data by date, time, area, and patrol or special task force units ShotSpotter Missions also includes a new report to help command staff better understand their patrol resources engagement. The new report shows which officers executed missions, and when, where, and what tactics the officers used during each mission. The report also includes the total available missions, total mission sessions, total minutes in mission, and number of officers on a shift. Agencies can then filter the data by date, time, area, and patrol or special task force units and then print or download into Excel. Crime prevention software “This first new release of ShotSpotter Missions since our acquisition of HunchLab is incredibly exciting and is just the beginning,” said Ralph A. Clark, ShotSpotter CEO and President. “We believe we have the opportunity to redefine and grow the crime forecasting category with the help of our customers and make crime prevention software a valuable tool within law enforcement.” The updated version of ShotSpotter Missions will be available August 1. Gunfire forecasts are only available when used in conjunction with ShotSpotter’s gunfire detection service. ShotSpotter Missions is also available as a standalone solution to forecast many other crime types beyond gunfire.

With the rising number of active shooter events in the United States, Johnson Controls has released the new Detect360 Active Shooter Response (ASR) system. The system combines reliable gunshot detection with industry-leading notification technology to provide immediate warning when a gunshot is fired within a building. By providing early notification and precise location of the shooter, the ASR system gives occupants time to find safety and allows police and security personnel to mitigate the threat up to 60 percent faster. Detect360 ASR system “During active shooter incidents, witness communication with law enforcement is often confusing and erratic, leading to longer incident duration,” said Thomas Connell, senior manager, Life Safety, Johnson Controls. “With the ever-increasing threat of active shooter events, having a system that provides early and accurate gunshot detection combined with clear, precise communication is now a necessary part of a life safety strategy for any building.” Detect360 Active Shooter Response uses acoustic sensors with multiple microphones to detect the sound of gunfire Detect360 ASR gives first responders information as it develops at the scene, including shot location, number of shots, location of the shooter in near real-time and the ability to remotely monitor the situation through integrated security systems. It also collects forensic information that can later be used by law enforcement. The system supports multiple integration options, including video feeds from existing CCTV and intrusion systems, mass notification systems, access control systems and panic button/manual initiation systems. Acoustic sensors with multiple microphones Detect360 Active Shooter Response uses acoustic sensors with multiple microphones to detect the sound of gunfire. Advanced algorithms then analyse the acoustic signature to confirm the sound was produced by a gun. Using information from the sensor closest to the gunshot, the system displays the location of the shooter on a map-based graphical user interface (GUI), which can also display audio and video of the incident. Detect360 ASR provides building occupants with safety and evacuation instructions while automatically communicating with emergency services and mass notification systems, prompting a quick response by law enforcement. While no technology or planning can eliminate the possibility of active shooter events, Detect360 Active Shooter Response can help shorten the duration and lessen the impact of the event.

ShotSpotter, Inc., the provider of gunshot detection solutions that help law enforcement officials identify, locate and deter gun violence, announces a new technology innovation unit – ShotSpotter Labs – to expand the company’s current efforts supporting innovative uses of its technology to help protect wildlife and the environment. ShotSpotter Labs is launching with an initial focus on helping combat rhino poaching in South Africa. Later this year, the unit intends to explore other applications for global wildlife protection such as combatting illegal blast fishing in Malaysia with underwater sensors. Multiple poacher apprehensions In 2014, ShotSpotter began a pilot of its gunshot detection technology in the Intensified Protection Zone of Kruger National Park in South Africa, home to 60% of the last remaining rhinos. Given the vast expanse of the park, most poaching incidents went undetected with carcasses found days or weeks after the fact. With the introduction of ShotSpotter to detect, locate and alert park rangers to gunfire incidents in under 60 seconds, there have been multiple poacher apprehensions within the coverage area since its debut. The resulting speed and accuracy of the response not only increases our chances of making contact and effecting an arrest" “ShotSpotter changes the game by giving our rangers the exact location of the shot within seconds,” said Glenn Phillips, Managing Executive of Kruger National Park. “The resulting speed and accuracy of the response not only increases our chances of making contact and effecting an arrest, but over time we hope will send a powerful message to poachers to stay away.” Unmanned aerial vehicles In addition to significantly expanding coverage area in the park, ShotSpotter Labs plans to integrate with unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for automated dispatch to the precise latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates of the gunfire. The UAVs will provide a video stream to rangers so that they can track the poachers. ShotSpotter has had to adapt its sensors and software for use in the sprawling expanse of Kruger National Park with no electricity available to power sensors. These types of system innovations required for anti-poaching are already being applied in other applications such as solar-powered sensors in freeway deployments with limited access to electricity. “I’ve seen the devastation to the rhino population firsthand in South Africa and it’s meaningful that ShotSpotter can make a difference to help these amazing animals survive for future generations,” said Ralph A. Clark, president and CEO of ShotSpotter. “This kind of engagement is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also an opportunity for us to develop innovative technology that can ultimately be incorporated back into core products across our business.”

According to the reports of not-for-profit organisation Gun Violence Archive, the year 2018 has seen 323 mass shooting incidents as of November 28 in the United States. This number is 346 for the year 2017 and 382 for 2016 (more statistics are available here), with “mass shooting” defined as cases where four or more people are shot or killed in the same time period and location. While definitions of mass shooting vary with organisations in the US, the count of over 300 incidents per year, or about once per day on average, is simply alarming. It raises public safety concerns, ignites debates and protests, which in turn lead to public unrest and potentially more violence, and increases costs for governments from the regional to federal level. Most importantly, the loss of lives demands not only improvement in post-incident handling and investigation, but also new prevention technologies. Gunshot detection solutions AI weapon detection offers a more efficient alternative to prevent active shooting There are several gunshot detection solutions in the security market, commonly used by law enforcement agencies to detect and locate gun fires. These systems function based on acoustic recordings and analyses and often in combination with signals detected by sensors of the optical flash and shockwave when a gun is fired. However, gunshot detection by nature dictates that the law enforcement can only react to a shooting incident that has occurred. With fast action, law enforcement can prevent the incident from escalating, but lives that are lost cannot be recovered. With the development of artificial intelligence in object recognition, AI weapon detection offers a more efficient alternative to prevent active shooting: AI can visually detect guns based on their shapes before they are fired. The AI is trained to recognise firearms in different shapes, sizes, colours, and at different angles in videos, so that the AI weapon detector can be deployed with existing cameras systems, analyse the video feeds, and instantly notify security staff when a gun is spotted. Comparison of the advantages for law enforcement and public security agencies Legacy gunshot detection using sensors AI weapon detection Reactive measure: detect after guns have been fired Proactive measure: detect before guns are fired Time to action: within 1 second Time to action: within 1 second Unable to provide visual data about shooter(s) Can provide data about shooter(s) based on the camera recording: clothing, luggage (backpack, handbag, etc.), facial features, vehicle Unable to track the location of the shooter(s) before and after shooting because of the lack of sound Can track the shooter(s) using AI Person & Vehicle Tracking, AI Face Recognition, and AI License Plate Recognition False detection caused by similar sound such as fireworks and cars backfiring Minimal to no false detection, as AI can distinguish different types of handguns and rifles from normal objects (umbrella, cellphone, etc.) Require physical deployment of gunshot detection sensors Can be used with existing camera systems, do not require special hardware Complicated to deploy, require highly trained professional Easy to deploy as an add-on to existing video surveillance system - Can integrate with gun-shot detection to create a “double knock” audio and video active shooter alert system Gun-shot detection advantages In addition to advantages for law enforcement and public security agencies, this type of visual-based pre-incident detector has three-fold advantages for the public: Save lives by spotting the shooter before the shooting event. Minimise the chaos entailing an incident: panic and chaos caused by a shooting incident often adds to injury, as people run, fall, trample on others… With an AI weapon detector, when a gun is spotted, the system sends an alert to security staff, who can quickly control the situation in an organised manner and apprehend the intending shooter. Can be added as a SaaS (Security as a Service) component to small business and home surveillance systems, e.g., intrusion detection alerts (home invasion incidents with firearms number over 2500 per year nationwide). For a complete active shooter detection system, video-based AI detector can operate in conjunction with gunshot detectors for enhanced security. Traditional X-ray based weapon detection or metal detection entrance systems are complicated and expensive; with AI video technology, active shooter detection system can be cost-effective, and after all, what price tag can one put on a life? Written by Paul Sun and Mai Truong, IronYun

The unfortunate reality in today’s world is that everyday places in our communities that were once thought of as safe – hospitals, schools, shopping malls and office buildings – are now places where people are at an increased risk for being injured by gun violence. Increase in gun violence Shocking incidents of active shootings have become all too common where we work, learn, relax and recuperate.  In the wake of the Orlando Pulse shooting, it’s hard to forget that many tragedies have occurred, such as at schools (Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech), hospitals (Brigham and Women’s Hospital), in malls (New Jersey and Pennsylvania) and in offices (San Bernardino, California). In all types of facilities across the country, administrators and security professionals are having to step up their efforts to be better prepared and it has become critical to have a comprehensive security strategy and response plan in place that factors in active shooter events. Role of security professionals Active shooter research, including studies by the FBI, shows that active shooter incidents have jumped from 6.4 per year between 2000 and 2006, to 16.4 per year between 2007 and 2013. In addition, between the years of 2000-2013, 45% of active shooter incidents included commerce buildings with businesses with pedestrian traffic, businesses without pedestrian traffic, and malls. As these events have become more frequent, we have learned from the data that response time by first responders is a critical factor in saving lives. Further research shows that the average active shooter incident lasts 12 minutes and the first calls don’t come into 911 for a full 3-5 minutes. Fast action is required and having the information to know precisely where to respond and focus first responder resources is critical. This means shortening response time should be the primary aim in dealing with the active shooter threat, second only to prevention.  Security professionals must be part of both of these areas, working in partnership with relevant administrators, local government, law enforcement, first responders and the community to help prevent and better respond to gun violence. In addition, active shooter events -- large or small -- are almost always sudden and unexpected, which places a huge burden on security personnel to manage these risks without creating a prison-like environment.   Innovative technology platforms, such as acoustic gunshot detection can notify first responders and security personnel on-site about the nature and location of the incident Technology saves valuable response time Innovative technology platforms, such as acoustic gunshot detection, can offer tremendous benefits in mitigating active shooting incidents occurring in a public facility or commercial environment. Recent data shows that active shooter attacks often begin outside a building and then progress indoors. Thus, the first line of defence for security professionals lies outside a facility, in a zone of protection surrounding it or comprising the entire outdoor area of a larger facility of many buildings. A combination of both indoor and outdoor gunshot detection is optimal. An indoor/outdoor active shooter alarm system, functioning much like a fire alarm system, integrated into a comprehensive site-based—police-fire-medical response system and/or protocol, significantly increases the likelihood that active shooter threats will be identified quickly and certainly improves the chances that notification to first responders will occur far more quickly than would an event reported manually by persons on-site. As an integral component of such a system, gunshot detection technology can notify both public safety responders and security personnel on-site about the nature and location of the incident within a given facility within seconds. Internal actions can immediately be taken to ensure that designated on-site security staff can swiftly implement emergency protective measures. Advanced gunfire detection is critical "Most people simply do not have the practical, real-world experience with firearms discharges to make an immediate, experienced assessment of the threat" One of the most intractable problems in developing responses to active shooter scenarios is the inability for most people at any given facility to recognise the sound of gunfire when it first happens. Especially when surrounded by building walls which attenuate sound, most people simply do not have the practical, real-world experience with firearms discharges to make an immediate, experienced assessment of the threat. New gunshot detection technology utilises a network of both indoor and outdoor acoustic sensors to detect the precise location of gunfire in seconds, eliminating that ambiguity. In addition to verified gunfire alerts, a monitoring center can provide additional contextualised information that is invaluable to first responders. By understanding sound and reviewing incidents frequently, acoustic gunfire experts can often share such details as number of shots fired, number of shooters or if the shooter is using an automatic weapon − critically important information for first responders rushing into a scene. Given the acuity of the sensor and the speed of the reviewer, the sounds can be identified and provided to first responders as verified gunfire in a specific location within seconds. Smart planning and preparedness pay off Unfortunately, there is no way to accurately pinpoint when a troubled person might attack your facility and to know what weapon they would use.  Fortunately, there are tools that can help mitigate and manage these risks.  Coupling available cutting-edge technology and smart, well-prepared staff can save lives and this type of preparation is already working successfully across the country in many forward-thinking schools, malls, offices and malls.  We can work together so that the people of our communities can continue with their everyday routines and enjoy going to the places that make their lives better each and every day.

The potential is huge for vendors in the security and technology industries that have gun detection-related services & products Gunshot detection systems are a fast growing trend that helps police and security guards to protect the public, capture criminals and collect forensic evidence for investigations. Gunshot detectors use digital microphones installed on (or in) buildings or along streets that listen for evidence of gunshots, provide near instantaneous notification, triangulate the location of shooters and direction of a shot, detect the type of gun and ultimately aid in catching fleeing suspects and solving crimes. Gunshot detection is just one technology playing a role in the larger trend by city agencies to improve core city services. Cities are turning what are referred to as “smart city” solutions – new, innovative technologies that improve and maintain a high quality of life and “liveability” for citizens. Another top technology trend in public safety and security is body worn cameras which require a number of innovative systems and services for the data that is collected. The overall smart city marketplace that includes both gunshot detection systems body worn cameras is experiencing rapid growth worldwide and is predicted to grow from $8.1 billion globally in 2010 to $39.5 billion in 2016. Expansion of use Gunshot detection technology is moving into hundreds of cities across the U.S., such as Fresno, CA, that recently started a pilot programme and Peoria, IL, that is ready to expand its current system. Onvia’s Project Center provides additional insight into recent bids and RFPs issued by agencies requesting gunshot detection systems. City of San Antonio in Texas Issued a bid in April 2015 for the implementation, management and operation of a gunshot detection technology system (GDTS) to be used by the police department. The bid says the GDTS will be a law enforcement tool to improve officer response time to incidents involving illegal gunfire within the detection area. The city intends to develop two pilot programmes for two separate areas within San Antonio in FY 2016. City of Lowell in Massachusetts Issued a bid in July 2015 for a vendor to install a gunshot detection and location system. This proposal is intended to acquire a system that will assist the police department to accurately detect/locate the source of the gunfire in an urban environment. The dominant outdoor gunshot detection solution used by police in cities is the ShotSpotter system by SST, Inc., which is installed in 90 U.S. cities. News around gunshot detection and ShotSpotter has generally been positive, but the company had some early challenges around generating too many “false alerts” that required extra police time to investigate. In response, the company introduced a “final review/check” feature that incorporates a team of analysts available 24/7 to quickly weed out false alarms initially flagged by the system. Recent news seems to point to the overall effectiveness of their improved solution. The smart city marketplace that includes gunshot detection systems and body worn cameras is predicted to grow from $8.1 billion globally in 2010 to $39.5 billion in 2016 Camden, NJ In Camden, NJ, police have found that using this system reduced gun incidents by 49%. According to ShotSpotter’s own tracking methodology, in the first half of 2014 gun incidents were reduced across 31 cities with this solution by an annual rate of 20.6%. SST retains status as a leader in the industry New York City in New York Awarded SST, Inc. $1.5 million in October 2014 to provide a gunshot detection and location system to the police department. The proposed system will use specially placed sensors to pinpoint the precise location of gunfire within specified coverage areas. In 2009, the NYPD tested a system from Safety Dynamics, but found that the technology yielded too many false alarms. In March 2015, the City announced the roll out of this pilot program with ShotSpotter; in real-time, ShotSpotter’s analysts will determine whether the noises were gunshots or something else like backfiring cars or slamming doors. “This new gunshot detection system is going to do a world of good in going after the bad guys,” said New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. City of East Palo Alto in California Awarded SST, Inc. $29,850 in April 2015 for maintenance and support services for a citywide gunshot detection and location system. District of Columbia Awarded SST, Inc. $499,588 in May 2015 a one-year contract starting in October 2015 for maintenance and support of gunshot detection services. One detractor to gunshot detection systems is the price. Onvia’s database suggests the average purchase order amount for all cities is $169,400 and the single largest buyer has been Washington D.C. ($3.4 million). This can be a hefty price tag for many smaller municipalities. Beyond the streets "This new gunshot detection system is going to do a world of good in going after the bad guys", says New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio While city-wide installations have drawn the most focus of this new technology, there are many other applications for public and private security use – entities whose budgets are either not as limited by price or they have been provided federal or private funds to implement the detection systems. For instance, Raytheon’s Boomerang military system was adapted for domestic uses in protecting U.S. power plants from terrorist attacks. Additionally, schools have been an extremely vulnerable place for deadly shootings and this currently under-served market will likely be a primary target for vendors in the next few years. School districts are laser focused on student safety and are willing to invest funds to achieve the goal of creating a truly safe learning environment for students. One hesitation to implementing the technology, particularly on campuses, is privacy. But the technology may be sophisticated enough that this won’t be a deterrent: In June 2015, Newark Memorial High School in California announced it will be the nation's first high school to install gunfire detection technology: ShotSpotter's SecureCampus system will alert police, the principal and the superintendent, informing them exactly where gunshots were fired. Police Commander Michael Carroll says, "It won't have false alarms because it can distinguish between a gunshot and a firecracker or a door slamming. And it doesn't record conversations because they aren't loud enough to trigger a recording." In Massachusetts, a recent proposal by Senator Michael Rush would require all new schools to install the gunshot detection system provided by locally-based Shooter Detection Systems, which has already donated the system to one local elementary school. The company, founded in 2013, spent a year commercialising shooter detection systems originally meant for the military. In a 2014 interview, CEO Christian Connors said the company's shooter detection system would be implemented in schools across the country, as well as airports and shopping malls. Connors said, "The goal is to reduce lives lost in active shooter incidents and immediately alert people inside the building and outside the building. It's basically a smoke alarm for gunfire." The dominant outdoor gunshot detection solution used by police in cities is the ShotSpotter system by SST, Inc., which is installed in 90 U.S. cities In Reynoldsburg, Ohio, another locally-based firm is piloting Batelle’s $75,000 SiteGuard Active Shooter Response system for free in one of Reynoldsburg’s high schools. The innovative system sensors will work with other security technology. For example, if a shooter fires in the school lobby, the sensors there would register that shot, alert 911 and begin to map the shooter’s movements. If the shooter moves down a hallway, fires, then goes upstairs and fires again, the sensors can inform the police of the shooter’s movements and location and help provide the quickest, safest and most efficient response. The system can be tied into the school’s cameras and provide first responders with a video feed of the shooter and can also lock down the school, protecting students and isolating the shooter. Joe Begeny, a school board member, said that, especially with all of the school shootings that have happened since Columbine, a district can never be too careful. “It’s about student safety,” he said. “You hope that nothing bad happens, that there is never a situation of an active shooter in a building, but you want to be prepared if it does.” A smarter, safer future Smart cities have raised the bar by investing in gunshot detection. In San Jose, CA city leaders hope that their new pilot program provided by locally-based anyCOMM will give them “smart city” status. They want to give residents confidence that the public safety resources are sufficient to deal with any threats or problems. anyCOMM reached out to city decision makers to share its technology that might help improve city operations and as a result, the agency will install nodes that can sense the blast of a gunshot, among other possible dangers. Teri Kilgore, assistant to the San Jose City Manager said, that they took an opportunity to look to the future and see what technologies are emerging and how those technologies can help complement city services: “We’re definitely interested in becoming a smart city.” The potential is huge for vendors in the security and technology industries that have gun detection-related services & products. Vendors should begin outreach to city agencies, school districts and security firms to educate them on the necessity for services, products and systems designed to improve public safety, help save innocent lives and prosecute criminals. Due to the number of high profile gunshot incidents in city streets, the security threat of terrorism and the increased rate of mass shootings, an uptick in contracting opportunities appears imminent. Onvia recommends vendors to keep a close eye on upcoming public safety projects and agency fiscal budgets & capital improvement plans. Staying alert to upcoming opportunities will give contractors and subcontractors a chance to win more government business and do their part to help police and security firms create an overall safer environment.

In addition to providing the Northeast’s largest security trade show, ISC East will include free conference sessions and keynote speeches right on the show floor and several paid workshops. The Nov. 20-21 event at New York’s Javits Center will also include vendor solution sessions from Axis Communications, Hikvision and NAPCO. Wide variety of paid workshops An advantage of the International Security Conference & Exposition in New York is that much of the programming is complimentary to registered attendees, and location of the sessions on the show floor means attendees don’t have to leave the exhibition to take in a session. The paid workshops include technology sessions about cyber terminology for physical security integratorsThe paid workshops include an Active Shooter Workshop and technology sessions about cyber terminology for physical security integrators; and basic installation and configuration of video surveillance solutions. An OSDP (Open Supervised Device Protocol) Boot Camp Short Course will also be offered. As a smaller show, the topics of ISC East conference sessions are broader and of more general interest, rather than organised into focused “tracks” as at ISC West. Attendance at sessions can provide continuing education (CE) credits with organisations that partner with ISC East – one credit for each hour-long session. Attendees can use their Certificate of Attendance from any session to self-report their education hours to relevant industry bodies: ALOA (AEU education credits), ASIS (CPE continuing professional education credits) and NICET (CPD Continuing Professional Development points). An advantage of the International Security Conference & Exposition in New York is that much of the programming is complimentary to registered attendees Keynote sessions at the Main Stage The Main Stage will be the venue for keynote sessions delivered by Deanne Criswell, Commissioner, New York City Emergency Management (on Day 1 – Nov. 20); and Angela Stubblefield, Chief of Staff at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) (on Day 2 – Nov. 21). The two SIA Education@ISC East educational theaters on the show floor will be booked up both days with a variety of interesting topics. A new session covers penetration testing for physical security, presented by Michael Glasser of Glasser Security Group. A session on LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) sensors will be presented by Frank Bertini, UAV and Robotics Business Manager, Velodyne LiDAR. Another popular topic is Safe Cities, and FLIR will present a session on moving from secured to smart cities with intelligent, connected systems. New addition is Active Shooter Workshop  The Active Shooter Workshop is a new addition to the ISC East programme. It has been a popular session at ISC West for three years now. At ISC East, presenters of the workshop will be David LaRose, System Director Public Health, Lee Health; and Ben Scaglione, Director of Healthcare and Security Programming, Lowers and Associates. At the end of the workshop, an additional hour of programming will be the “Stop the Bleed/Save a Life” session presented by Jerry Wilkins, Co-Owner of Active Risk Survival. The Main Stage will be the venue for keynote sessions delivered by Deanne Criswell, Commissioner, New York City Emergency Management, and Angela Stubblefield, Chief of Staff at the Federal Aviation Administration Woman in Security event A Women in Security Forum breakfast event will be held on Nov. 21 (Thursday). It’s the second annual event and this year will focus on diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace of the future. Valerie Anderson, President of Boon Edam, will lead a discussion on “Diversity 2.0: Next Steps for Creating an Empowered Workforce”Moderator Valerie Anderson, President of Boon Edam, will lead a discussion on “Diversity 2.0: Next Steps for Creating an Empowered Workforce”. Panelists are Lisa Terry of Allied Universal, Andrew Lanning of Integrated Security Technologies, Elaine Palome of Axis Communications and Dawne Hanks of Milestone. The Women in Security event is likely to attract up to 100 attendees. SIA’s Women in Security is an active organisation, with monthly meetings and a newsletter that recognises prominent women in the security industry. “It’s really a group for both men and women,” says Mary Beth Shaughnessy, Event Director, ISC Events at Reed Exhibitions. “There are many programmes, recruiting efforts, and professional and networking opportunities. They are a robust group of people who are active in making a difference. It’s important to support women in the security industry, which is 95% male, and to develop a new generation of women to be a part of the industry’s future.” The keynote addresses at ISC East will also highlight two high-profile women.

During the Parkland, Florida, school shooting in 2018, the shooter was caught on a security camera pulling his rifle out of a duffle bag in the staircase 15 seconds before discharging the first round. However, the School Resource Officer didn’t enter the building because he wasn’t confident about the situation, and the Coral Springs Police Department had no idea what the shooter even looked like until 7 minutes and 30 seconds after the first round was fired. If the video system had included technology to recognise the gun threat in real time, alerts could have been sent to the security team. An announcement could have been made right away for all students and faculty in Building 12 to barricade their doors, and law enforcement could have responded a lot faster to a real-time feed of timely and accurate information. Automatically recognising gun threats The technology is centred around a CNN that aims to replicate how a human brain would process informationActuate offers such a technology, which the company says enables existing security cameras to automatically recognise gun threats and notify security in real-time. The technology is centred around a convolutional neural network (CNN) that aims to replicate how a human brain would process information. This neural network is trained to recognise what hands holding a firearm look like from hundreds of thousands of images in a proprietary data set. Over time, the system is able to mathematically calculate what a gun threat in a security camera feed looks like with a high degree of accuracy (well over 99% detection accuracy within the first 5 seconds), according to Actuate. “Active shooter situations are often marred by chaos and confusion,” says Sonny Tai, Chief Executive Officer of Actuate. “People are in fight-or-flight response and prioritise immediate survival instead of reaching for their phones and calling 911. When the 911 calls are made, callers often provide delayed, conflicting, and inaccurate information, inhibiting law enforcement’s ability to respond.” Enhances law enforcement response Tai says Actuate helps to clear up that chaos and confusion. “It provides visual intelligence of the location of the shooter, what they look like, what direction they’re heading, and what they’re armed with,” he says. “This real-time information enhances law enforcement response and enables building occupants to make critical decisions that maximise survivability." AI methods including deep learning enable high levels of accuracy in detecting weapons in real-time camera footage Tai is a Marine Corps veteran and a social entrepreneur who co-founded Actuate with the mission of addressing America’s gun violence epidemic. The start of the company stems from Tai’s upbringing in South Africa, where gun violence rates are some of the highest in the world. Growing up, several of his family friends were personally impacted, resulting in a lifelong passion for the issue of gun violence. In early 2018, Tai interviewed dozens of law enforcement leaders across the country and found that their biggest challenge in gun violence response was the lack of timely and accurate information. Actuate mitigates that challenge and enables both first responders and security staff to respond more rapidly, he says. More than 99% accuracy in detecting weapons Actuate is a software-only solution that plugs into security camera hardware and software, including VMSActuate's solution is completely AI-based, says Ben Ziomek, Chief Product Officer. AI methods including deep learning enable high levels of accuracy in detecting weapons in real-time camera footage. “Legacy, non-AI based solutions generally rely on older methods like motion detection, which is not reliable in differentiating between objects such as phones and firearms,” says Ziomek. “Our AI solution lets us achieve more than 99% accuracy in detecting weapons with an exceptionally low false-positive rate.” Ziomek runs engineering, data science, and operations for Actuate. Before joining the firm, he led teams of AI engineers and data scientists at Microsoft, leveraging AI to identify high-potential startups globally. Actuate is a software-only solution that plugs into existing security camera hardware and software, including video management systems (VMS). Existing capabilities of a customer’s VMS does initial, basic analysis and then routes the remaining video to Actuate’s processing units for AI analysis. Alerts can then be sent back however a customer wants, including through a VMS. Actuate can also feed information into a PSIM or command-and-control system if requested by a customer. Equipping customers with AI tools Our current focus for the company is to get our technology into the hands of as many customers as possible"As an early-stage company, Actuate is pursuing customers through multiple routes, including directly to end-users and via security integrators, distributors, and dealers. They are currently deployed at diverse customer sites including schools, office buildings, industrial facilities, and public buildings, says Ziomek. “Our current focus for the company is to get our technology into the hands of as many customers as possible,” says Ziomek. “We are working closely with customers across segments and industries to equip them with the tools they need to make their spaces safer. We’re currently working on educating the market on our offerings, as this technology is very new to many security organisations.” There are no privacy or compliance concerns because Actuate stores no customer data until a weapon is detected, and even then the data is not cross-indexed with any sensitive information, says Ziomek.

Gunshot detection today is part of more physical security systems than ever before, and many manufacturers are developing interfaces to the latest gunshot detection technologies. Genetec has integrated ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology into its unified IP security platform, Security Center. Thanks to this integration, police departments and security professionals will be able to receive more actionable information, gain rapid access and detailed location insights when a gunshot situation occurs. Cloud-based analysis software ShotSpotter uses wide-area acoustic surveillance that automatically gets activated when gunfire occurs ShotSpotter uses wide-area acoustic surveillance that automatically gets activated when gunfire occurs, providing comprehensive outdoor coverage on campuses and in complex urban geographies. ShotSpotter sensors and cloud-based analysis software triangulate and pinpoint the precise location of each round fired within seconds, the number of shots fired and provide an immediate gunfire alert with an audio clip. Data capture form to appear here! Detailed incident data is immediately sent to SST’s Incident Review Center (IRC), a secure data processing and alert validation facility, where acoustics experts analyse the data and qualify the incident in real-time 24/7. Once validated, an alert is sent directly into Genetec’s Security Center, all in under a minute. Once the alarm is triggered within Security Center upon gunshot detection, operators can quickly access video and other related data surrounding the location of a gunshot alert, and immediately visualise it on Security Center maps, leveraging the dynamic visualisation capabilities of the Security Center Plan Manager. Genetec has integrated ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology into its unified IP security platform Gunshot identification software Stanley Security has announced a partnership with Shooter Detection Systems LLC (SDS), gunshot detection solutions provider. As an authorised dealer, STANLEY Security is now certified to sell, install and service SDS products and services. SDS’s Guardian Indoor Active Shooter Detection System combines acoustic gunshot identification software with infrared gunfire flash detection for a fully automated gunshot detection and alerting solution. The Guardian System immediately detects gunshots and simultaneously alerts building occupants The Guardian System immediately detects gunshots and simultaneously alerts building occupants and first responders within one second and with zero false alerts. Johnson Controls has announced that its exacqVision video management system now integrates with Databuoy Corp.’s ShotPoint acoustic gunshot detection and localisation system to speed response time and heighten the decision-making process for local responders during active shooter situations. Integrated security systems Johnson Controls has also released the Detect360 Active Shooter Response (ASR) system, combining reliable gunshot detection with notification technology to provide immediate warning when a gunshot is fired within a building. By providing early notification and precise location of the shooter, the ASR system gives occupants time to find safety and allows police and security personnel to mitigate the threat up to 60 percent faster. Detect360 ASR gives first responders information as it develops at the scene, including shot location, number of shots, location of the shooter in near real-time and the ability to remotely monitor the situation through integrated security systems. It also collects forensic information that can later be used by law enforcement. The system supports multiple integration options, including video feeds from existing CCTV and intrusion systems, mass notification systems, access control systems and panic button/manual initiation systems. Detect360 ASR gives first responders information as it develops at the scene Public safety access points Listed as one of the most important new technologies debuted at CES 2019 by the Wall Street Journal and NBC News, Safe Zone also showcased its Safe Zone Gunfire Detector (GFD) at ISC West 2019. Priced at $149 per unit, the Safe Zone Gunfire Detector combines infrared and sound detection technologies with immediate cloud-based data analysis that can analyse more than 3,000 data points of each loud noise that exceeds ambient levels by a certain threshold. The system determines the location of shots fired, the number of shots, and the type Utilising the data from multiple detectors simultaneously, the system determines the location of shots fired, the number of shots, and the type and calibre of gun being used. Within 10 seconds of the trigger pull, an alert is sent to Public Safety Access Points in the appropriate dispatch center, giving local 911 dispatchers all critical information on their computers. Reseller recruitment programme Shot Tracer has launched a reseller recruitment programme with a highly attractive on-boarding proposition for qualified dealers. Qualifying resellers can receive a Gunshot Simulator Kit valued at $1,000 when they commit to becoming a Shot Tracer dealer. Shot Tracer’s Eagle Gunshot Detection System easily integrates with virtually any security, alarm, surveillance and access system via contact closure – or wirelessly via IP integration. In fact, Shot Tracer gunshot detection sensors are as easy to install as a smoke detector, so there’s virtually no learning curve for installing dealers. The new Shot Tracer Reseller Recruitment Program includes an exclusive offer for installing dealers to receive a free Gunshot Simulator Kit, valued at over $1000, which is essential for demonstrating Shot Tracer Eagle Gunshot Detection sensors. Terms and conditions apply for qualifying resellers.

Patriot One, developer of the PATSCAN Multi-Sensor Covert Threat Detection platform, is pleased to announce a collaboration partnership with Los Angeles Football Club (LAFC), part of Major League Soccer (MLS), to pilot its PATSCAN platform at Banc of California Stadium. Threat and intrusion detection “We are excited to announce this PATSCAN pilot deployment project with another U.S. major sport franchise,” said Martin Cronin, Patriot One CEO and president, adding “In the New Year, our installation team will begin work with the Los Angeles Football Club and Banc of California Stadium on this important game safety initiative. MLS fans will enjoy an added layer of security while attending their favorite team’s home games in Southern California”. Martin further said, “Our vision is to not only to create a world safe from acts of violence, but also to help save a way of life people have come to expect in their normal everyday lives, and that includes participating in professional sports and entertainment activities with their fellow fans.”  PATSCAN Multi-Sensor covert threat detection The PATSCAN Multi-Sensor Covert Threat Detection platform will ship in January 2020 to the security team at LAFC The PATSCAN Multi-Sensor Covert Threat Detection platform will ship in January 2020 to the security team at Los Angeles Football Club, where they will be joined by Banc of California Stadium security and Patriot One implementation engineers to begin the integration and pilot deployment project.  Specific location of the Platform’s deployment will not be disclosed. “Customer safety is our number one priority at Banc of California Stadium,” said LAFC Vice President of Information Technology Christian Lau. “We are excited to work with Patriot One to give customers an extra layer of security while attending events at our world-class venue in the heart of Los Angeles.” Stadium security Following the initial pilot deployment of the PATSCAN platform with LAFC at an undisclosed location within Banc of California Stadium, Patriot One will work with the team and stadium management to broaden deployment throughout the complex.

ShotSpotter, a provider of gunshot detection solutions that help law enforcement officials and security personnel identify, locate and deter gun violence, has announced that seven new cities have recently deployed ShotSpotter technology in their communities. The new cities include Cincinnati, Ohio; Jacksonville, Florida; Louisville, Kentucky; Newburgh, New York; Pittsfield, Massachusetts; Syracuse, New York and St. Louis County, Missouri – joining the more than 90 jurisdictions that already rely on ShotSpotter to ensure a fast, accurate response to gunfire incidents. Three existing ShotSpotter cities, New York City, Chicago and Birmingham have also recently expanded their coverage areas. Gunshot detection ShotSpotter provides real-time alerts to law enforcement of detected gunfire so that they can arrive at the precise location of a shooting event safely and quickly. With the speed of response, officers can be on the scene to aid victims, interview witnesses, and collect forensic evidence. This improves the overall effectiveness of an agency in identifying and apprehending shooters, and taking illegal guns off the streets. “We are excited to be working with police departments in successfully implementing gunshot detection solutions as a critical component of their gun violence prevention efforts," said Ralph Clark, CEO of ShotSpotter. “Cities are seeing positive outcomes and improved community engagement as a result of their agency’s ShotSpotter adoption and integration with best practices execution. We are thrilled with all of our customer collaborations that are making a real difference in improved public safety for all, especially in those at-risk neighbourhoods who also deserve community peace.” "ShotSpotter is already alerting us to specific addresses that we were not aware were inundated with random gunfire incidents" Positive impact “After just four weeks of using ShotSpotter, we are already seeing a positive impact from the technology,” said Cincinnati Assistant Police Chief Paul Neudigate. “We have three square miles of coverage in one of our most problematic communities for shooting violence and have had over sixty activations in just a month’s time.” “ShotSpotter is already alerting us to specific addresses that we were not aware were inundated with random gunfire incidents,” Neudigate continued. “In addition, ShotSpotter works well with our established surveillance camera system; we recently caught a running gun battle on video that we would never have known about had we not received the alert. ShotSpotter technology holds great promise for helping to reduce gun violence in the City of Cincinnati as part of an overall gun violence reduction strategy.” Expansion to coverage areas According to Lieutenant Jim Cirillo, Louisville Metro Police Department, “ShotSpotter’s technology product has done exactly what they promised it to do.” In recent months, three existing ShotSpotter cities – New York City, Chicago and Birmingham – have undergone recent expansions to their coverage areas. New York City began implementing ShotSpotter in 2015 and currently covers 57 square miles, an increase of 17.8 square miles since the beginning of 2017. In Chicago, ShotSpotter was first deployed in the 7th and 11th districts, then in the 15th and 9th. In September 2017, their sixth district also went live with ShotSpotter and the 10th district will go live soon. The city of Birmingham doubled their ShotSpotter coverage from eight to 16 square miles. In addition, the University of Alabama (UA) Police Department has added ShotSpotter to help make its campus safer. UA becomes one of eight universities in the country to invest in the ShotSpotter gunfire detection technology.

The total new ShotSpotter coverage mileage is 118 miles for a total coverage area of more than 400 miles SST, a global leader in gunfire detection and analysis, announced that six new cities − including San Diego, California and San Antonio, Texas − have selected its ShotSpotter Flex technology to help the local law enforcement agencies prevent and reduce gun violence in their cities. SST also announced expanded coverage areas for eight cities already successfully using ShotSpotter gunfire technology, including New York City, Chicago, Miami-Dade County, and Birmingham, Alabama. Proven solution provider In addition to San Diego and San Antonio, the new cities that recently deployed ShotSpotter include Salinas, California; Hillsborough, Florida; Goldsboro, North Carolina; and Cape Town, South Africa. ShotSpotter is a proven solution provider with more than 90 installations across the United States and the world. Birmingham, Alabama, has been using ShotSpotter for nine years in an eight-square mile area of the city, and has recently expanded its gunfire detection area to cover a full 20 square miles. Critical tool for law enforcement operations “ShotSpotter is a critical tool in our law enforcement operations. In fact, the ShotSpotter system is now part of our DNA in regards to reducing gun violence and improving the quality of life in our neighbourhoods,” said Chief of Police A.C. Roper of Birmingham Alabama. With the new mobile app, morelaw enforcement users will have access to the valuableShotSpotter service beyond the dispatch office or squad car Other cities expanding ShotSpotter coverage include: New York City, Chicago, Miami-Dade County, Fresno, Denver, Sacramento, and Riviera Beach. The total new ShotSpotter coverage mileage is 118 miles for a total coverage area of more than 400 miles. Reducing gun violence with technology innovation “We are proud to be chosen to partner with these new jurisdictions and are also gratified that so many cities we work with are seeing the tangible benefits of ShotSpotter by choosing to expand their coverage,” said Ralph Clark, CEO of SST. “We know we play an important role in assisting law enforcement with fast, accurate gunfire data that can save lives and reduce gun violence, and we are committed to maintaining our high customer service and continued technology innovation.” SST continues to innovate and offer new capabilities and expanded benefits to the ShotSpotter technology. The company recently announced a new mobile app designed to extend ShotSpotter with real-time gunfire alerts delivered anytime, anywhere on any iOS or Android mobile phone, tablet or desktop. With the new mobile app, more law enforcement users will have access to the valuable ShotSpotter service beyond the dispatch office or squad car. SST continues to leverage ecosystem partnership relationships with Amazon Web Services and GE Current Lighting organisations, further extending the ShotSpotter brand and enabling more cities to benefit from gunshot detection technology. Save

Milestone's system not only detects gunshots but is also able to differentiate between fireworks or backfiring vehicles Milestone Systems open platform IP video management software (VMS) has been integrated by EIA, Inc. with ShotSpotter gunshot detection and the Hawkeye Effect digital mapping to help the Nassau County Police Department fight criminal firearm activity. With the goal of driving down gun violence in the Roosevelt-Uniondale area of New York, the Nassau County Police Department wanted to leverage its Milestone XProtect video surveillance solution with its open platform technology for the next step in safety. To help deter gun crime and assist in quickly solving firearm-related cases, the department focused on enhancing the capabilities of its street cameras. This area of Nassau County had a large number of shooting incidents – both reported to the police and unreported. Authorities believed it would benefit the community immensely to use a new system that could prove cost-efficient to launch and monitor, to track gunshots and provide evidence and convictions of those committing crimes. How could the police department leverage surveillance camera video to actionable information for real-time incident response? “The key was to expand the functionality of our already deployed Milestone system with an integrated ShotSpotter solution. The HawkEye Effect was also integrated seamlessly with Milestone and we now have a scalable, reliable 24-hour police watch for a safer county,” states Detective Lieutenant Ken Strigaro, Nassau County Police. The solution uses ShotSpotter’s sensors to locate gunshots in the coverage area of the surveillance cameras, and the HawkEye Effect to triangulate the sensors, map the location, direct the cameras to the location and notify first responders while recording the video. The HawkEye Effect correlates a gunshot’s location and sends the information to Milestone XProtect, which controls the pan, tilt and zoom capabilities of the cameras. Milestone channel partner EIA Inc. designed and installed the system to meet the Nassau County Police Department requirements for automated gunshot detection, location, reporting and video verification. The flexibility of the Milestone XProtect Corporate video management software automatically adjusts the video recording rates to the maximum number of frames per second to capture incidents in the greatest detail. "By integrating mapping into the Milestone XProtect Smart Client, we can almost immediately have police eyes on a target through the very intuitive interface" The system not only detects gunshots, it is able to differentiate between fireworks or backfiring vehicles. Within 10 seconds it locates the gunshot, automatically plots the incident on a map, turns the surveillance cameras to the location and possible egress points, records the incident and notifies law enforcement personnel. Information retrieved from the camera and the location is processed through Milestone XProtect, available for evidence sharing during case development and prosecution. “By integrating mapping into the Milestone XProtect Smart Client, we can almost immediately have police eyes on a target through the very intuitive interface,” stated Jeff Blair, CEO for the HawkEye Effect. “Nassau County uses the HawkEye mapping technology, but all the camera interaction is handled by the Milestone platform.” ShotSpotter uses a series of sensors placed throughout the area to be monitored. The software triangulates a gunshot location as a GPS coordinate and provides the nearest street address. The HawkEye Effect translates this information and creates a series of polygons across the area where the shot was fired. The polygon graphics relate to either a camera preset position in Milestone XProtect or to an area that cannot be directly seen by the camera but may be a point of escape from the area where the gunshot was fired. If the coordinates of the shot fired are outside the camera view, it redirects to an area off a major avenue that is approximately where the shot was fired, to provide a view of the incident as it happens or pick up someone fleeing the scene. If a victim is injured, the authorities can see it in the video and report the injury immediately, speeding up response time. “Without Milestone this system wouldn’t have been possible,” states David Engel, CEO of EIA Inc. “The HawkEye gateway has a Milestone link service, via the Milestone Software Development Kit (SDK), for an integration that is able to communicate to the video management software, feeding it different presets to turn the cameras. We had to carefully map out the geography of the area and, using Milestone’s open program interfaces with the HawkEye Effect mapping, create an integration with ShotSpotter that would tell Milestone XProtect which cameras to move and where, when a gunshot was detected.” "Milestone’s open platform architecture is exceptionally easy to work with, providing the means, tools and resources to enable further innovation" “Milestone’s open platform architecture is exceptionally easy to work with, providing the means, tools and resources to enable further innovation. As Milestone constantly expands, the software provides the keys necessary to leverage the resources that customers have already invested,” adds Blair. “Milestone makes it easy for partners like us to code our technology in a forthright manner, allowing end users to benefit from the latest and greatest software and hardware integrations for comprehensive deployments such as this in Nassau County.” The ShotSpotter system sends coordinates and categorises information about the type of bullet and number of shots fired. When a shot is detected, 911 centre operators are provided a pop-up video display on the screen with this vital information. At the same time, a copy of the information is sent to the HawkEye Gateway to determine the location, coordinating the camera views through Milestone XProtect. Gregg Rowland, Senior VP at ShotSpotter, says: “Any information, whether it includes longitude, latitude or time, can be used - in this case with Milestone XProtect, by programming exactly what you need. The cameras are geo-referenced by the HawkEye Effect, so if you say ‘Gunshot happened on this corner, send closest camera to that location,’ the PTZ directly lines up to where the event happened and turns every other camera to egress routes. There is a lot of creativity with what we do with the data.” The flexibility of the Milestone open platform allows customers to select a variety of applications developed by the members of the Milestone Solution Partner Program to meet diverse and changing needs. These solutions integrate video management with analytics for counting cars or people, with laser scanners for unique perimeter control, with access control or HVAC systems and RFID technology. The possibilities are endless with an open platform.