Subscriber Discussion
Stupid Or Awesome? A Laser To Zap Thieves
As an integrator we often get humorous requests such as the one above. Even though the client is joking what they are really looking for is ACTIVE security while an intruder is on site.
We recently designed an IP camera system where the User can manually trigger several outdoor siren/strobes by the VMS. When the User receives an email alert that there is movement in front of the cameras they can use their discretion if the siren/strobes need to be activated. The User then activates via the VMS.
The Client feels like they are doing their part to fight crime and the intruder leaves and losses are reduced.
Instead of an alarm simply triggering a siren or a camera triggering an email, what's the best ACTIVE security solution you came up with?
I once had a customer ask how much a brown note generator cost, for a ensuring standoff distance from a building. Thankfully such a device is not real, because it was awkward.
That 's indoor only and small areas :2 mn fog. In an industrial plant, professionnal robbers know they have time to open windows to clear it up before police come. I thought you were talking how to prevent people from intrusion by discouraging them. Fog is a second level, like indoor alarms.
We have an extensive discussions of the pros and (mostly) cons of using fog machines here.
10/12/13 04:39pm
I also get this type of request from time to time, mostly from angry small business people who have just been burglarized.
Back in the 70's, there was a device being sold that could dispense tear gas when an alarm was triggered. You simply took two police-sized tear gas cannisters, removed the nozzles, and placed them in the machine. There was a giant solenoid that pushed the cannisters forward to dispense the gas.
As I recall, there were many concerns about liability and clean-up with these devices. Also, the question was raised about what would happen to firefighters if they needed to respond to the building and activated the device.
Obviously something that I did not recommend.....
Perhaps a hybrid system would be be most active:
1. Fog. immediately after intrusion
2. Lasers. 2 secs post, low power 5mw red, i/o port driven, mounted underside of ptz camera with auto track or guard tour capabilities
3. Pink Floyd. thru 2 way audio, 5.1 setup thru 6 cameras ideal. Used to generate psycotic episodes in baby boomers.
Cameras could be dual visible/thermal sensors.
normally low power lasers are useless but since the place is fogged up it'll look like the departure time on the millenium falcon.
cameras of course could be manually operated for maximum user enjoyment.
call your clients bluff with this one...
C
This guy designed an 'active defense system' so he can shoot people over the Internet.
USB not Firewire... hmmm...
I'm sure he will get some cats that way and may be some kids if lucky :-)
It's not Pink Floyd, but can anyone vouch for the effectiveness of 'selective acoustic' tone devices like this?
Supposedly, teenagers can hear the frequency, but older folks cannot.
| 10/13/13 06:29pm
There's actually an iPhone app for this called StealthTone. I'm 36, and I can only hear it if I put it right up to my head, and then it's very faint. My wife is 35 and can't hear it at all. I have 7 kids, the oldest is 15. When I turn it on, they freak out, cover their ears, and tell me to turn it off. I've tried doing it at random times to make sure it wasn't a placebo thing, and they can always hear it.
We're getting old, my friends.
10/13/13 08:20pm
The Mosquito (called SonicScreen in the US) won the 2006 Ig Nobel prize for Peace (see Awards).
According to that wikipedia link, there has been some opposition to the device over the years, as some claim it violates human rights and could legally constitute an 'assault'. The 'Council of Europe' (whoever that is) voted to ban the device, but no country has ever actually done so. In the UK (where they have lots of these things), the Police Minister specifically said they would not ban the Mosquito.
IMO, if it was any other group (who actually had representation in the law making process - kids do not) it would already have been banned.
Imagine if McDonalds became annoyed with all the old folks hanging out in their restaurants, each nursing a small coffee for 4 hours. If they installed a sonic device that emitted annoying sound waves that only people over 65 could hear, the AARP would be picketing McD's headquarters within 24 hours.
Tear gas is not optimal because of the extensive clean-up of residue that has settled on all the surfaces in the space.
An issue with any automated "punishment" system is the certainty that someday it's going to attack a friendly. These events must be survivable without long term adverse effects.
I'm not advocating any approach, but I can imagine PTZ pepper spray as being viable in some areas.
In some US localities, pepper spray in a purse constitutes carrying a concealed weapon. If your locality is more tolerant, I see a new use for PTZ gimbals with solenoid activation.... Even though exposure can ruin you day, this could work if coupled with reliable moving object tracking. Your most effective use would likely be the controlled lighting and environment of an indoor space, although it might annoy you to come home to clean up pepper spray that tracked the afternoon sun across the floor.
| 10/14/13 07:12pm
"Thanks for letting me know to pack my gas mask (that I stole from your shop last week) when I come to rob your store again" - Random Orlando thief
In maritime environment we used to use the LRAD which is a very loud acoustic source, as well as light "dazzlers" that would make it uncomfortable to continue intrusion.
I'm disappointed to hear the brown note was a myth, as I heard it discussed.
In another country I once saw what was essentially an M-16 on a PTZ that the operator could point and fire remotely. My guess is that it would be frowned upon in the USA.
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