Safety Expo showcases security devices

The fair provided attendees with the opportunity to test some of sensormatic's gear. Houston Hall's Bodek Lounge was the most secure place on campus yesterday, as students, Public Safety officials and University Police officers gathered for a display of high-tech security devices as part of the Public Safety Expo. The expo -- which continues today from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m in Bodek Lounge -- was organized by the Division of Public Safety and students from the Residential Advisory Board. The expo was intended to give students, faculty and community members the opportunity to test the security technology being considered for use on campus, in addition to offering information about various Public Safety services. Different groups -- including University Police and Special Services, as well as Spectaguard -- used the expo to explain their operations, but many students seemed more interested in the hi-tech devices displayed throughout the room. Biometric hand geometry and iris scanners are examples of the security technology under consideration for use on campus. The hand identity reader demonstrated at the expo analyzes three-dimensional hand geometry for identification and access controlE-- all in a matter of seconds. And the iris scanner creates a video image of the eye and digitizes its features into a database identifying the person. "[The iris scanner] doesn't take any longer than it takes to swipe a card," IriScan representative Gerald Williams told the students gathered around the device. A variety of other hi-tech devices -- such as panic switches, burglar alarms, motion sensors and a new card scanner currently being installed in campus buildings -- were also on display. Security Director Chris Algard explained that the new card reader is an actual security system controlling doors to buildings. Different building entrances and sections can be programmed to allow certain individuals access depending on the time. The card device is being standardized for use on buildings across campus, and Algard said "a number of buildings are targeted to be on-line by September." Another highlight of the expo was a demonstration of the new cellular blue-light phones scheduled to be installed across campus in the near future. The new phones -- which are solar-powered and self-testing -- are designed to guarantee faster police response time. The blue-light phone displayed at the expo was connected to a closed-circuit video camera, which zoomed in on each caller as soon as the phone was picked up. But despite the impressive show of technology, officials are still uncertain as to what security devices will actually be used on campus. The University's October announcement of a contract with the Sensormatic Electronics Corporation led many students to expect exotic biometric devices around campus in the near future, but Public Safety officials are waiting for student feedback before they finalize plans for the new equipment. Nikki Rae, co-chairperson of the RAB's safety and security committee, said the expo's organizers hoped for student feedback on what they would like to see on campus, and what they believe is practical for the University. The College freshman helped devise a survey rating the importance of the campus' existing security measures, including a map where respondents were asked to highlight the areas around campus where they felt unsafe. The security survey also asked for opinions on the biometric readers. RAB plans to compile the survey's results for presentation to Public Safety officials. Engineering sophomore Sylvia Caram, the other co-chairperson of the RAB's safety and security committee, said the expo was designed not only to educate students, but also "to get feedback and educate administrators on how students feel." Students at the event had mixed feelings on the technology. "They have a lot of really fun gadgets," College senior Rachel Goldberg said. "But it's not really realistic." RAB Co-Chairperson Roshini Thayaparan, a College sophomore, said she was pleased with the success of the expo, but uncertain about using the technology on campus.