Bob Carter

The emergence of smart cities provides real-world evidence of the vast capabilities of the Internet of Things (IoT). Urban areas today can deploy a variety of IoT sensors to collect data that is then analyzed to provide insights to drive better decision-making and ultimately to make modern cities more livable. Safety and security are an important aspect of smart cities, and the capabilities that drive smarter cities also enable technologies that make them safer. We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: What are the physical security challenges of smart cities?

Public spaces provide soft targets and are often the sites of terrorist or active shooter attacks. Public spaces, by definition, require easy accessibility and unrestricted movement. Given that openness, what security technologies can provide real results? We asked this week’s Expert Panel Roundtable: How is technology innovation impacting the security of public spaces?

Genetec Inc. (“Genetec”), a popular technology provider of unified security, public safety, operations, and business intelligence solutions, announced its plans for Smart City Expo World Congress 2019, taking place at Gran Via Venue, Barcelona, from 19-21 November 2019 (Stands 161, 211 and 567). Genetec will be exhibiting in three separate locations around the show floor, alongside its technology partners Axis Communications, Microsoft and Schréder. There will Genetec representatives on hand on both the Axis and Microsoft stands, to demonstrate the company’s technology and the role it can play in helping public representatives, corporate leaders and experts in urban planning to create safe cities - in which people want to work and live. Enabling smart urban revolution The Expo is a great opportunity for Genetec to display its technology effortlessly integrating" "The Smart City Expo is not only a great opportunity for Genetec to display how its technology effortlessly integrates with our partners’ - to promote the flow of information, commerce, transport and people across smart cities. It is also a fantastic platform that allows our team to get closer to the end-user,” said Bob Carter, Commercial Head, Genetec City Practice US. “Being in the same room as municipal decision-makers ensures we can all collaborate in enabling a smart urban revolution that creates urban spaces that citizens love to live in”. Cloud-based public safety solutions Axis Communications (Stand 211) – Genetec will demonstrate how its open architecture platform Security Center works in conjunction with Axis Communications’ innovative cameras and sensors to ensure smart mobility. Aiding people flow, safety and the citizen experience throughout a city. Microsoft (Stand 161) – Genetec will be exhibiting its broad portfolio of cloud-based public safety solutions that comprise part of the Microsoft CityNext program. The two companies will outline how their combined solutions contribute to urban sustainability, safety and mobility. On display will be its full suite of public safety solutions, including its flagship city management system, CityNext, which has a wide-range of applications - like city sustainability, safety and mobility. Schréder (Stand 567) – The two companies will outline how smart lighting solutions, coupled with the vast array of sensors and analytics that be integrated through the Genetec platform can make use of real-time data to optimize energy consumption, bolster city safety and create thriving public spaces.

(Click Here for larger image) Access to real-time video and data related to gunshot incidents within Security Center shortens emergency response time Genetec Inc. (“Genetec”), a provider of open architecture security and public safety solutions announces that it has integrated ShotSpotter gunshot detection technology from SST Inc., 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. When 9-1-1 calls are made to report a gun shot, oftentimes the information provided is inaccurate, or insufficient. Without knowing exactly where to respond, police can waste valuable time and resources driving block by block looking for evidence as victims lack aid and criminals escape the scene. Wide-Area Acoustic Surveillance 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. Detailed incident data is immediately sent to SST’s Incident Review Center (IRC), a secure data processing and alert validation facility, where acoustics experts analyze the data and qualify the incident in real-time 24/7. Once validated, an alert is sent directly into Security Center, all in under a minute. “Detecting, precisely locating, and alerting police within seconds to gunfire is key information used by law enforcement and security personnel to more effectively protect and serve communities.  Integrating the real-time gunshot data with the video capabilities provided by Genetec is a game-changer that enhances the information police receive, ultimately helping them solve crimes, deter future crimes, and make communities safer; which is a goal we all share,” commented Damaune Journey, VP Security Solutions at SST, Inc., the global leader in gunfire detection and location technology. Quick Data Access 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 visualize it on Security Center maps, leveraging the dynamic visualization capabilities of the Security Center Plan Manager. Pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) cameras are instantly aimed at the gunshot location, and bookmarks are automatically created on the Security Center timeline. Operators can then follow active shooter events in real-time through the map interface and live video to make informed decisions. "We believe that this technology can greatly improve the safety of communities, and ultimately save lives" Security Center is also able to display relevant metadata on the map, such as type of gunshot, number of rounds, address, district, etc., as well as give operators access to detailed reports of past alerts for statistics and data analysis purposes. Enhanced Tactical Intelligence As a result of this integration, law enforcement officers and security teams will also benefit from improved tactical intelligence. They will be able to get to the exact scene of the incident faster, stay safer and have the ability to engage the shooter, interview witnesses and collect key evidence. “This integration is beneficial for many of our customers who require maximal awareness during emergency situations. Their security operators can now react faster to gunshot incidents and get access to video and metadata surrounding the event. We believe that this technology can greatly improve the safety of communities, and ultimately save lives,” commented Bob Carter, Business Development Manager at Genetec Inc. This integration is expected to be available worldwide from Genetec Inc. and its partners by Q2 2017.

The CrimeEye-RD-2 is lightweight, providing easy portability, installation, and superior imaging Total Recall Corporation, a Convergint Technologies Company, has been chosen to work with the City of Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Police Department to make their city a safer place. Total Recall will provide them with a citywide safety solution that includes 15 of its outdoor CrimeEye-RD-2 rapid deployment portable video systems, the latest in its CrimeEye line of digital video solutions. Creating A Secure Environment “Total Recall Corporation and Convergint Technologies are very pleased that the Chattanooga Police Department has selected CrimeEye as the platform for their citywide safety solution,” said Jordan Heilweil, President of Total Recall Corporation. “CrimeEye will allow CPD to respect the privacy of its citizens while also creating a more secure environment.” The Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) has begun installing CrimeEye-RD-2 video units on 15 power poles throughout Chattanooga. The CrimeEye-RD-2 uses Axis Communications dome network cameras—managed by Genetec Omnicast, an IP video management system—to stream HD-quality video within just minutes of installation. All of this video data will be viewed live at CPD’s new Real-Time Intelligence Center. The CrimeEye-RD-2 is lightweight and self-contained, and it provides easy portability, simplified installation, superior imaging, and intelligent electronics. The unit requires virtually no tools to set up and can be deployed by one person on almost any type of pole with the included mounting hardware. Chattanooga, which is the fourth-largest city in Tennessee and has more than 175,000 residents, is one of several municipalities throughout the United States to choose Total Recall Corporation’s CrimeEye solutions. “The Chattanooga Police Department is now part of an exclusive group of CrimeEye users that includes the Department of Homeland Security, the Statue of Liberty, and some of the biggest police departments in the United States,” said Rebecca Law, Business Development Manager, Convergint Technologies. “We are honored to be working with Chief Fletcher and the men and women of the Chattanooga Police Department.” "CrimeEye promotes crime reduction, community safety and continues building relationships with our community" Promoting Crime Prevention “CrimeEye promotes crime reduction, community safety, continues building relationships with our community, assists in solving all types of crimes, and aids prosecutors in putting criminals in jail,” said Chattanooga Police Chief Fred Fletcher. AXIS Communications and Genetec Inc. are long-time Total Recall Corporation technology partners that have successfully collaborated on many CrimeEye deployments, including providing video coverage for the Statue of Liberty, the national Concert for Valor, and for the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission, one of the largest wastewater treatment plants in the United States. “Safety is one of the key responsibilities of every city around the globe. We’re pleased that our cameras are part of the CrimeEye deployment in Chattanooga” said Mark McCormack, National Sales Manager, National Accounts, Axis Communications, Inc. “The collaboration between Axis Communications, Total Recall, and the Chattanooga Police Department has been successful in making Chattanooga a smarter and safer city for all.”, said Bob Carter, Business Development Manager for Smarter and Safer Cities, Genetec Inc. “We look forward to serving the City of Chattanooga and the Chattanooga Police Department through our partnership with Convergint Technologies, coupling our industry-leading video software solutions for law enforcement with Total Recall’s innovative CrimeEye outdoor video solutions,” added Carter.