Slowing Down Security at Office Buildings
A report from real estate investment trade magazine National Real Estate Investor should sound the alarm to those of you who manage security for office parks and corporate facilities, as well as to those integrators serving this market. According to the real estate publication, building owners are slowing down their purchases in security technology.
Perhaps this decline is part of a dropping off of post-9/11 interest in security, or perhaps as the article argues, businesses are realizing that things like cameras or turnstiles aren't guaranteed protection against catastrophic terror attacks.
The article didn't particularly surprise anyone in the security industry. Many building owners have always thought of security as an expense that they should minimize (choosing the lowest rate guards, doing the minimum to provide basic access control, etc.), but our industry has the chance to change this. It's the role of facility security managers and commercial security dealers to help building owners understand that good security is a perk that can attract good leases, just like an on-site fitness center or marble foyers.
Getting Wild with Windy City Wire
Security Dealer's Greg McConnell hits the grand opening of WCW's new headquarters
Cables, cable snakes and real snakes. It was all there at the Windy City Wire's WILD party last week. Security Dealer's managing editor Greg McConnell and group publisher Susan Whitehurst made their way over to the new facility where Windy City Wire was welcoming its dealer and installer clients. Music, food and drinks (and one big snake!) were part of the show, as were tabletops from vendors to give users the scoop on their products. The band headlining the event was .38 Special ("Hold on Loosely" was their biggest hit), and by all reports, it was a good time. Greg has some great photos and a quick report posted on his blog.
Replacing Guards with Cameras
Boston housing residents not ready to replace guard force with the 'unblinking eye'
We published a story earlier this week about how Boston was looking at cutting out daytime guards at 13 public housing complexes, and switching to surveillance cameras, lobby phones and other technology. The concept was that housing agency police could monitor video and could immediately respond to distress calls. Well, sometimes you have to consider the human element, and apparently residents weren't asked their opinions before Boston initiated the proposal to cut guards and install cameras. Residents showed up en masse at a public hearing on the subject and their clout all but ended the move to replace guards with cameras. Guards: 1. Cameras: 0.
Security Technology Forums
Stumped by a circuit board for an electronic lock
Forum member 'Ian' writes that he is trying to use a Universal Circuit Board for Loktronic electric locks and needs technical help or installation instructions. Ian has info on the circuit board model as well as a photo of the board. Check out this Universal Circuit Board thread if you think you might be able to share some info.
To join the forums, simply use the Registration link; there's no cost to join and it's a great place to share advice on security technology, raise policy questions and more.
More News in the Security Industry
Fire-Lite looking for top installers, Tasers getting stunned by ACLU
Link Plus and RAM Associates are working together on explosive detection systems for airports using technology coming out of Johns Hopkins. ... Tasers are getting flack from the ACLU, which believes enforcement officers are inappropriately deploying the technology. ... Fire-Lite Alarms is looking for top fire systems installers who want to be recognized for outstanding work. ... TSA's Kip Hawley is of the opinion that the much-acclaimed Registered Traveler program is nice, but not where the TSA needs to be focused.
Finally, a look at the most read stories of the week:
