A Surprising Trend in Crime Statistics
I was genuinely surprised to see an article the other day on the newest FBI report about crime in the U.S. My first thought was, “Crime is down in every category?!” With the constant news cycle filled with stories of gunfire, mass shootings and other disturbing events, I would have expected to see crime statistics sharply on the rise. The results of this report were a bit unexpected, and made me wonder if advanced security technologies and the science of saving lives could be partly responsible for initiating this downward trend. Perhaps my background in biotech gives me a unique perspective on this, as I’ve seen firsthand how scientific innovation can solve complex problems in other fields.
After many years in the biotech business, I recently made a significant shift to the security and protection industry. I am proud to be carrying forward the mission of making life safer and better through scientific innovation, which I focused on in biotech, to my new career supporting gunshot detection at Acoem. The powerful role of technology in solving complex problems is a mission I am now continuing in a different way to help keep people safe.
The Role of Technology in a Changing Landscape
The news that violent crime, murder, and property crime have all decreased is a welcome sign. It’s an encouraging trend for our communities and a testament to the hard work of law enforcement and community leaders. As Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling pointed out in a CBS News report, some of this success is being credited to increased community engagement and the strategic use of surveillance technology. He noted how this technology has helped officers better identify and apprehend criminals. I believe this is a good example that demonstrates how the science of saving lives is already making a difference in the field.
Going Beyond the Status Quo
This brings me to a key point: while we’re making progress, the “status quo” in security is simply not enough. The report still shows a sobering reality: a violent crime occurred on average every 26 seconds last year. That’s a stark reminder that while we’re moving in the right direction, there is still a significant amount of crime. That’s why I’m so passionate about our new campaign: Go Beyond the Status Quo.
The status quo often means relying on a fragmented system. Someone has to be on the phone calling 911, and cameras might or might not be pointed in the right direction. But what if there was a better way? This is where technology like the ATD (Acoustic Threat Detection) Gunshot Detection System comes in to change the game. The ATD System’s acoustic technology is a scientific solution that goes beyond the ‘fragmented system’ of the status quo. For instance, using the science of advanced acoustics, the system analyzes sound signatures to differentiate a gunshot from other noises. This is what ultimately allows it to quickly detect and automatically direct cameras to the source of gunfire, sending immediate alerts and capturing critical evidence. It’s a powerful tool that not only gives you real-time awareness of a threat but also can revitalize the PTZ cameras you already have. Instead of a camera passively recording, and likely pointing in the wrong direction, our system automatically directs it to the exact source of the gunfire.
This ensures that the very information Superintendent Snelling highlighted—the visual evidence needed to identify and apprehend criminals—is captured as quickly and accurately as possible.
Learn more how the ATD System supports the integration of acoustic and visual intelligence for prosection in our Unmasking Crime blog.
The Power of a smarter response
I am proud to be part of a team that pushes the boundaries and uses science and innovation to solve complex safety problems, just as biotech uses science and innovation to solve challenging health problems. Our focus is to Go Beyond the Status Quo by proactively and intelligently responding to crime, rather than simply reacting to it.
While it’s encouraging to see crime numbers dropping, it’s the continued investment in the “science of saving lives” that will allow communities to Go Beyond the Status Quo and build a safer future. Through continued innovation we can make a tangible difference in the moments that matter most.
Are you ready to embrace the science of saving lives and go beyond the status quo?
The status quo isn’t working. It’s time for a smarter solution.
Ready to see how ATD Technology goes beyond the status quo? See our system in action at the upcoming GSX meeting Booth #3307 Sept 29-Oct 1 in New Orleans, or request a personalized demo today.
