New security features have added benefits
05 February, 2009
category: Education
Government Technology is reporting that John Hopkins University installed a new security system called SECURES in November 2008. The system has the capability to detect gunshots. Ninety-three sensors, which detect the acoustic signature of a gunshot, were installed on city-owned streetlights and Johns Hopkins off-campus buildings. If a gunshot is detected the information is relayed to unarmed campus security to investigate as well as to the Baltimore police department. The sensors use patented technology to differentiate between gunfire, fireworks and vehicle backfire, but it is still possible for it to confuse them. The system, which was obtained at no cost to the university, was developed by Planning Systems Inc. of Reston, Va., a technology firm that specializes in threat detection devices. PSI hopes to bring the technology to other college and university campuses.