STORRS, Conn. — The University of Connecticut has installed a new security system revolving around technology that can detect gunshots or explosions.
The technology can be integrated to all of the University’s video surveillance cameras. Once a gunshot or explosion is detected, campus police is automatically notified through the system (it does not require someone to call police), the shooter’s location is delivered to police and so is a live video feed to officers’ smartphones or computers to help authorities better understand the developing situation and thus respond accordingly.
The technology can detect a gunshot or explosion within 250 yards.
“We’re using it to be very proactive,” said Hans Rhynhart, UConn interim director of public safety and chief of police. “This is a great opportunity to test a brand new system that has the potential to be really useful to our community.”
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The system was installed by New Haven-based Verbi. The company’s president and CEO, Robert Hotaling, is an alumnus of UConn and donated the system, valued at $175,000.
Hotaling said the sooner police can get to the scene of the crime, the sooner the violence can stop. “It gives them better decision-making information that they didn’t have before,” he said.
Learn more about the system at UConn Today.
