Security Companies Donate Time &amp; Resources to Make Communities Safer

Throughout the year, SDM showcases notable projects and installations around the industry. In this special installment, we’re looking at “Technology @ Work” in nonprofits and communities. Every year, donated time and resources help create safety and security at admirable organizations around the country. These are just a few of those stories.

In 2012, Security 101, Salt Lake City, began donating security equipment yearly to nominated non-profit facilities for the purpose of reducing crime at those locations. Most recently, the company donated a six-camera system from Hikvision, City of Industry, Calif., to the Tooele County Children’s Justice Center (CJC).

Last year, Tina Campbell was browsing through some emails and noticed one from Security 101 asking for nominations for a non-profit organization to win an all-paid security system through its program, “The Gift of Security.” She nominated CJC. Then a panel of local community leaders reviewed all the nominations and decided on the top three and then the vote went public. Nonprofits were able to garner support from all social media as well as family and friends and other media. CJC won and was awarded six cameras, an NVR and software from Hikvision USA Inc., as well as engineering, labor, programming and training. Kurt Hundley and Larry Keele spent the day installing everything and training CJC staff.

Hikvision’s Eric Gras, regional sales manager – Southwest, told SDM that Hikvision was on board to participate from the moment the company was told about the project. “We were asked by Security 101’s Nancy and Rob Ford, who presented a compelling story with an opportunity to give back to the community by helping a non-profit organization and, most importantly, an organization that was ultimately selected by the community who nominated, voted, and believed which organization was most in need and deserving of this gift,” Gras recalled.

Hikvision chose the products to donate based on the criteria and application of the system needed for the winning non-profit. “Considering that all cameras were going to be used indoors, the equipment donated was six of our low profile, 2.0 MP HD cameras that are very popular, a single eight-channel embedded NVR with our iVMS-4200 client software, and also iVMS-4500 mobile app software to be used if needed. The overall system met the needs of the CJC while providing the ability to expand as needed in the future, along with remote accessibility to the system through the Hikvision remote client software and/or mobile applications,” Gras described.

Campbell, who nominated CJC for the award, said that the Tooele County Children’s Justice Center strives to create a homelike environment that eliminates the need for multiple interviews and is non-threatening to victims.

By utilizing the system, CJC investigators can coordinate and begin the investigative process with a minimal amount of trauma to the child victims of physical or sexual abuse. The goal of CJC is to produce a comprehensive response in exploring allegations of abuse, provide recommendations to parents regarding safety and treatment needs of the child and to stabilize the crises often experienced by the family as well as the child.

When asked why the “The Gift of Security” program is so important, Nancy Ford replied, “The staff members at our local nonprofits are the silent heroes in our community; they provide a platform for the rest of us to serve and give back. I believe corporate citizens should ‘pay it forward’ in a way that makes a difference.”

Using Resources to Encourage Kids

In May, more than 1,100 Fresno County special education students enjoyed a fun-filled day at the Tenth Annual Special Education Kids Day event hosted by Pelco by Schneider Electric, Clovis, Calif., in cooperation with the Fresno County Office of Education. This is the tenth year special education students from Pre-K to 22 years of age, their parents, and staff were welcomed to enjoy a day at the Schneider Electric campus in Clovis

“Pelco Kids Day facilitates the opportunity for students with special needs to experience all of the wonderful activities of traditional field trips offer, all wrapped into one fabulous event. This is by far, one of the most unique and rewarding Fresno area events for children with special needs,” said Dr. Michele Cantwell-Copher, Administrator for Educational Leadership and Development with the Fresno County Office of Education.

Students enjoyed music, animals, and diverse activities, including face painting, a bounce house and much more! They met Marines and saw zoo animals, and experienced a variety of vehicles, including fire trucks, police vehicles, and a helicopter.

Julie DeBenedetto, Schneider Electric Facilities regional manager said, “Being part of this event from the first annual to the tenth has been phenomenal. Every year is even bigger and better than the prior year. This is certainly one the highlights of the year for all of us at Pelco by Schneider Electric.” n

Linear Employees Volunteer Time

Linear LLC, Carlsbad, Calif., employees volunteered with framing and other build efforts during a San Diego Habitat for Humanity (SDHFH) “Building for the Brave” project in Lakeside, Calif. With the help of Linear and many other volunteers and sponsors, SDHFH is providing four townhomes for affordable homeownership by disabled veterans and their families. When complete, the homes will feature technology and furnishings donated by Linear and others to create a highly functional living space.

Fifteen Linear volunteers donated time to help with framing and structural work for the townhomes, which are scheduled to be complete in the summer of 2014.

“We’re thankful for the Linear employees who brought construction and home building experience to this important phase of our Building for the Brave project,” said SDHFH director of development Elizabeth Berg. “Without the help of volunteers, our mission of bringing people together to build homes, communities and hope wouldn’t be possible.”

Michael O’Neal, Linear president, added, “The Linear team members who volunteered for this important cause should feel proud they are doing something to help repay those who serve with honor and literally sacrifice their bodies for our country. Habitat for Humanity does amazing work around the world and we’re proud to support the Building for the Brave project.”

Linear also offers veteran’s additional support via an intern and hiring program set up to help members of the military find work once they’ve completed service. n

Editor’s Note: These are just a few of many fantastic activities happening around the industry. Have your own story showing Tech at Work in communities? Email youngh@bnpmedia.com.

Veteran Receives Interactive Home

An Iraq war veteran and his family were able to move into a fully remodeled home, complete with a robust Interlogix security system, as part of Lifetime Television’s nationally televised Designing Spaces home improvement show. Interlogix is a part of UTC Climate, Controls & Security, a unit of United Technologies Corp.

The three-episode “Project Homeward Bound” series documented the makeover of a Jacksonville, Fla. home for Army private first class Jeffery Taylor and his family. Taylor received the Purple Heart following injuries sustained during an enemy attack near the Baghdad Airport in 2003 that claimed the lives of the rest of his unit.

Working with local Interlogix dealer SafeTouch®, Interlogix installed its Advisor self-contained security and comfort management system. Advisor combines advanced life safety and lifestyle functions for both home and small business use, according to Interlogix. The system integrates with Interlogix TruVision® cameras both inside and outside of the home. A TruVision NVR 50 video recorder was included in the Taylor’s system.

“If someone comes to the home, the Taylors will be able to see who it is without having to open the door,” said Kirk MacDowell, vice president sales, intrusion, Interlogix. “They’ll not only know when their kids come home, they’ll know who comes home with them.”

The panel’s built-in applications will provide the family with updated news, weather, sports and traffic information. In addition, the Taylors can keep track of their home while away as the cameras can be viewed from virtually any remote location using a smart device.

“Pfc. Taylor put his life on the line for his country,” MacDowell said. “Now it’s time for us to give back to him and his family. We are proud to help secure this Purple Heart recipient’s new home.”

Video Insight Donates to Make Schools Safer

In an effort to help campuses prevent and combat violence, Video Insight, a developer of enterprise IP video surveillance software, is donating more than $250,000 in video surveillance software and hardware to schools and colleges nationwide in 2014 via a new Video Insight School Security Grant.

“In this day and age of continued violent acts and threats on campuses, every school and college needs a video surveillance solution as part of an overall security plan,” said Video Insight Chief Executive Officer Robert Shaw.

“Despite the fact that video surveillance is essential, there continue to be schools and colleges out there that have absolutely no protection due to budget constraints. The Video Insight School Security Grant is designed to help those schools that lack funds implement a video surveillance solution.”

Beginning this month — and for each month throughout the year — a school or college will be chosen to receive the software and equipment necessary to implement a video surveillance solution.

“The safety of students and teachers should never be compromised because of budgetary constraints,” Shaw said. “This grant is a small gesture in helping to provide security to stressed and underfunded districts, as well as to give back to these communities in need.”

Each school will receive the following equipment: