Controlling Access Points at Malls to Mitigate Risk
FBI studies have shown that most shooters plan their attacks ahead of time, which means that, in most cases, they will choose targets that have a higher likelihood of success. Therefore, it’s critical to decrease your chances of attack by providing clear, obvious deterrents, while preparing for a quick response in the event an active shooting does take place.
Deterrents against Active Shooters
The presence of police cars outside in the parking lot and visible security personnel in the mall decrease the likelihood of someone choosing your mall as a scene of attack. Visible surveillance cameras throughout the mall and signage informing people of security systems on site also act as deterrents.
Access points need special attention. Main entrances and exits need to be covered by surveillance cameras and trained personnel, but there are other access points that are often forgotten and make easy entries for bad actors. Deliveries take place throughout the day, and employees and maintenance personnel enter and exit restricted areas. What protocols and electronic surveillance have been put into place at your mall to control these vital access points?
Updating Critical Technology
All public entrance points as well as all entrances for deliveries, employees, and maintenance personnel must be covered with surveillance cameras. Additional security components, such as remote locking systems and entry key cards can improve safety as well.
Security technology is constantly improving and it’s critical to stay abreast of the newest enhancements that can increase the safety of your retailers and patrons. Technologies that integrate with your existing security systems are the most economical and are often the most efficient and effective.
Gun detection technology such as ZeroEyes can be a powerful weapon against active shooters. Because it integrates with your existing system, it is both economical and effective, providing real-time data for immediate recognition of a threat before shots are fired. Because ZeroEyes detects visible guns, we have no false positives, avoiding panic in the mall or the false accusation of innocent persons. Furthermore, our artificial intelligence system is constantly learning and improving accuracy.
ZeroEyes sends a message immediately to designated security personnel, administrators, and first responders as soon as a threat is detected, giving authorities the opportunity to get people to safety and tracking the shooter’s location so police and security can quickly neutralize the culprit.
Adding signs that say “Gun Detection Technology Activated 24/7 on These Premises” will warn any potential shooter to stay away. Contact us today to see how we can enhance your existing systems to increase the safety and security of your mall and all the people who use it.
