Security Magazine logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
Security Magazine logo
  • NEWS
    • Security Newswire
    • Technologies & Solutions
  • MANAGEMENT
    • Leadership Management
    • Enterprise Services
    • Security Education & Training
    • Logical Security
    • Security & Business Resilience
    • Profiles in Excellence
  • PHYSICAL
    • Access Management
    • Fire & Life Safety
    • Identity Management
    • Physical Security
    • Video Surveillance
    • Case Studies (Physical)
  • CYBER
    • Cybersecurity News
    • More
  • BLOG
  • COLUMNS
    • Cyber Tactics
    • Leadership & Management
    • Security Talk
    • Career Intelligence
    • Leader to Leader
    • Cybersecurity Education & Training
  • EXCLUSIVES
    • Annual Guarding Report
    • Most Influential People in Security
    • The Security Benchmark Report
    • The Security Leadership Issue
    • Top Guard and Security Officer Companies
    • Top Cybersecurity Leaders
    • Women in Security
  • SECTORS
    • Arenas / Stadiums / Leagues / Entertainment
    • Banking/Finance/Insurance
    • Construction, Real Estate, Property Management
    • Education: K-12
    • Education: University
    • Government: Federal, State and Local
    • Hospitality & Casinos
    • Hospitals & Medical Centers
    • Infrastructure:Electric,Gas & Water
    • Ports: Sea, Land, & Air
    • Retail/Restaurants/Convenience
    • Transportation/Logistics/Supply Chain/Distribution/ Warehousing
  • EVENTS
    • Industry Events
    • Webinars
    • Solutions by Sector
    • Security 500 Conference
  • MEDIA
    • Videos
      • Cybersecurity & Geopolitical Discussion
      • Ask Me Anything (AMA) Series
    • Podcasts
    • Polls
    • Photo Galleries
  • MORE
    • Call for Entries
    • Classifieds & Job Listings
    • Continuing Education
    • Newsletter
    • Sponsor Insights
    • Store
    • White Papers
  • EMAG
    • eMagazine
    • This Month's Content
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP!

Driving Home Parking Protection

By Bill Zalud
January 1, 2008
Customer assistance and emergency call boxes can join with life safety systems.


Tony Wait drives home the point. “Parking spaces are a scarce, valuable resource,” contended Wait, general manager for The Village of Breckenridge (Colo.) Homeowners’ Association (HOA).

Of all the security equipment he’s recommended and acquired in his 18 years as director of safety and security at High Point Regional Hospital in High Point, NC, Bryan Koontz says one product stands out as “the most cost-effective piece of equipment we’ve ever purchased.” He uses wireless call boxes to improve parking lot safety.

Bob Johnson, director of location systems for 107 South 10th Street InterPark in Philadelphia, uses technology that ties revenue transaction information together with garage access control, audio customer service and video surveillance information.

Emergency call boxes in parking facilities can integrate with security video to capture images when a button is pushed.

A STATE OF MIND

“Right from the beginning there was a need to ensure that this garage was more than just a place to park, but the start of an enjoyable and stress-free journey through Toronto Pearson Airport,” said Frank Miceli, manager of the garage construction and a key member of the Airport Development team. And a sophisticated communications intercom system is at the heart of the duress system.

At Colorado-area Kaiser Permanente, Security Manager Jeff Karpovich took a proactive stance called HELP, for healthcare emergency locator phone.

The Village of Breckenridge HOA uses a Brivo Systems-developed OnPark online parking reservation system to improve parking management, increase revenues and enhance security. The system uses Brivo’s XML Application Programming Interface to connect with the community’s existing online access control system.

“We had to find a way to better utilize this limited resource and to capture parking revenue, if possible,” said Wait. Integrator Neal Marcus Securus introduced them to XML API technology, which allows different systems to exchange data in the XML standard so they can “understand” one another. Guests receive a parking permit to display on their vehicles. Each permit has a microchip, which can be programmed remotely.

At High Point Regional Hospital, Koontz uses wireless call boxes, CALL24, for parking lot safety for its 2,000 employees and 250-plus doctors. Koontz had seen a hardwire call box system at another hospital and asked RCS Communications Group to supply a wireless approach for his facility. The system consists of highly visible, push button security communication call boxes and a base controller for the security dispatcher. Communications is via two-way radio frequencies and the call box power system uses a battery that is recharged nightly. Besides lower cost, another important advantage of using two-way radio frequencies instead of telephone lines is the improved communication with security officers dispatched to a box location thanks to advanced signaling technology. Koontz believes the system goes a long way in minimizing the hospital’s liability for parking lot crime. “Statistics show most crimes in the United States occur in or around parking lots,” said Koontz.

Whether wired or wireless, parking lot and garage communications systems often integrate with security video. One example is Honeywell’s ParkMAXX solution, an automated system tying revenue transaction information together with garage access control, audio customer service and video surveillance. “We expect to add the solution to many more facilities,” said Bob Johnson, director of location systems for 107 South 10th Street InterPark in Philadelphia.

At Toronto Pearson International Airport, the Greater Toronto Airports Authority or GTAA thought long and hard about security at a new eight-level, 9,000-vehicle garage facility. According to Miceli, the garage has used a number of new and existing technologies. Some include:
  • Overhead signs notifying drivers which floors have available parking spaces.

  • Detectors placed above each parking spot in short term parking record how many spaces are available at all times and display this information at the end of each aisle.

  • Traffic management cameras alert staff of traffic flow problem issues.

  • Emergency duress call stations and information call stations are conveniently located at hundreds of key garage areas structure.

  • State of the art digital video and audio recording systems to record and log call information from various sites and events as required in the designated garage facility.


AVI-based systems can integrate with proximity and smartcards to better control vehicle and driver access to a parking facility.

POINTING CAMERAS

A RING Communications Intercom system is the heart of the garage duress system. In addition to instant communications, the system directs or points security cameras to the call site area and switches the digital video and audio recording systems to real-time record mode at the security operations center. The RING system has grown a great deal in 25 years and now has expanded to an airport wide network of 14 intercom systems interconnecting more than 1,300 individual intercom stations.

At Colorado-area Kaiser Permanente, Security Manager Jeff Karpovich took a proactive stance on securing his facilities. Communication across the campus grounds is critical in the integrated security effort. Talk-A-Phone created communication towers outside the buildings, which Karpovich calls HELP, for healthcare emergency locator phone.

Talk-A-Phone also has developed a wide-area emergency broadcast system called WEBS. It integrates the company’s emergency/information phone and wide-area broadcast capabilities into a single emergency/information communication system. The tower features concealed high-powered speakers that provide 360° coverage for both locally and remotely transmitted emergency broadcasts to large populated areas.

Another parking security approach from Nedap is a driver-based vehicle access system with three components: a personnel ID, an in-vehicle card Booster device and a long-range reader. The personnel ID, such as a standard proximity card or smartcard, can be used to access through the perimeter in a vehicle to provide proper identification for authorized drivers as well as for building access.

SIDEBAR: ID Card Design 101

Cards and badges can play an access role into parking lots and badges. Especially at enterprises wishing to show their brand, corporate culture or identity on a card, solid design is important. With most applications, there are common elements: photos, logos and names. Consider the following to optimize your card design:
  • Photos should be taken with a high resolution camera to ensure crisp images. Blurry or out-of-focus images can result in uncertainty and difficult identification.

  • The photo of the cardholder should be large enough for quick visual identification.

  • Logos are an important branding element of the design but should not compromise the other security features in the card.

  • Names should be large enough for most people to see from a distance.
Placement of visual elements is of paramount importance when designing cards. If the card has any type of encoded intelligence, image wear must be considered. Barcode, magnetic stripe and contact smartcards typically require physical contact with the reader and this can wear away printed images. Images or text should never be printed on top of magnetic stripes or smart chips.

Always remember:

Most ID cards are actually keys to a garage, building and maybe even other assets. Addresses should never be printed on the card; instead use a PO Box for lost cards with the “if found, drop in any mailbox.”

Never should a Social Security number or other identification number that is confidential be printed on the card. This should be encoded on the card and not visible to the naked eye. Remember less is better.

Secure IDs are difficult to alter or replicate and are better protected from wear. Additional security can be added to the card.

Security Magazine thanks Amy Keran of Datacard Group for the card design tips as well as the card examples shown.

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Zalud 2016 200px

Bill was the editor emeritus of Security Magazine, and he can be reached at (773) 929-6859.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
To unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024

    Security magazine's Top Cybersecurity Leaders 2024 award...
    Cybersecurity
    By: Security Staff
  • cyber brain

    The intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence

    Artificial intelligence (AI) is a valuable cybersecurity...
    Logical Security
    By: Pam Nigro
  • artificial intelligence AI graphic

    Assessing the pros and cons of AI for cybersecurity

    Artificial intelligence (AI) has significant implications...
    New Security Technology
    By: Charles Denyer
Subscribe For Free!
  • Security eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • eMagazine Subscriptions
  • Manage My Preferences
  • Online Registration
  • Mobile App
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the Security audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of Security or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • Crisis Response Team
    Sponsored byEverbridge

    Automate or Fall Behind – Crisis Response at the Speed of Risk

  • Perimeter security
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Why Property Security is the New Competitive Advantage

  • Duty of Care
    Sponsored byAMAROK

    Integrating Technology and Physical Security to Advance Duty of Care

Popular Stories

Red laptop

Cybersecurity leaders discuss Oracle’s second recent hack

Pills spilled

More than 20,000 sensitive medical records exposed

Coding on screen

Research reveals mass scanning and exploitation campaigns

Laptop in darkness

Verizon 2025 Data Breach Investigations Report shows rise in cyberattacks

Computer with binary code hovering nearby

Cyberattacks Targeting US Increased by 136%

2025 Security Benchmark banner

Events

May 22, 2025

Proactive Crisis Communication

Crisis doesn't wait for the right time - it strikes when least expected. Is your team prepared to communicate clearly and effectively when it matters most?

November 17, 2025

SECURITY 500 Conference

This event is designed to provide security executives, government officials and leaders of industry with vital information on how to elevate their programs while allowing attendees to share their strategies and solutions with other security industry executives.

View All Submit An Event

Products

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

Security Culture: A How-to Guide for Improving Security Culture and Dealing with People Risk in Your Organisation

See More Products

Related Articles

  • Parkway; parking lot security, security liability, access control, parking garage security

    Determining Responsibility in Parking Lot Security

    See More
  • RFID: The 'Almost Everything' Tool

    RFID: The 'Almost Everything' Tool

    See More
  • Passengers purchase the RFID bag tags which provide convenience and unique services for passengers as well as operations data for airlines.

    Just How Versatile is RFID Technology?

    See More
×

Sign-up to receive top management & result-driven techniques in the industry.

Join over 20,000+ industry leaders who receive our premium content.

SIGN UP TODAY!
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Store
    • Want More
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eMagazine
    • eNewsletter
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing