Proactive Perimeter Security: Preventing Workplace Threats with PlateSmart ALPR

When a terminated employee unexpectedly returned to a tech company's premises, PlateSmart's ALPR system delivered the critical five-minute warning that made all the difference to the security team’s preparedness.

The photo with a private security team checking a suspicious vehicle shown to demonstrate perimeter security with ALPR

(Note: this is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only)

The Challenge: Managing Potential Workplace Threats

Workplace violence poses a significant security challenge for organizations of all sizes, with thousands of Americans becoming victims every year. The numbers are alarming. According to the National Security Council’s Injury Facts data, workplace related assaults in 2021-22 resulted in 57,610 injuries and 525 fatalities.

For security teams, early threat detection is critical, but traditional security measures often only allow for reactive responses after an incident begins.

A technology company in the San Francisco Bay area faced this challenge with regards to the sudden reappearance of an employee they had earlier fired under particularly contentious circumstances.

The Strategy: Creating a Digital Security Perimeter with PlateSmart ALPR

The company had implemented PlateSmart ARES® automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) software as part of their comprehensive perimeter security strategy.

The system offered:

Real-time monitoring of vehicles entering the property

Integration with existing security cameras and CCTV systems

Custom "hotlist" capability to flag specific license plates

Immediate alerts to security personnel when hotlist vehicles are detected

The company had created a hotlist comprising vehicles associated with people who were not welcome on the company premises.

As a precautionary measure following the contentious employee termination, the security team added the that employee's vehicle license plate number to the hotlist.

The Incident: Early Warning in Action

Approximately one year after the termination, the PlateSmart system detected the former employee's vehicle entering the property and immediately alerted the security team.

This early notification enabled them to:

Dispatch security personnel to the area

Alert lobby staff about the potential situation

Monitor the individual via the existing CCTV system

Two officers watching security footage on monitors and discussing

(Note: this is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only)

A private security guard speaking on a walkie talkie

(Note: this is a stock image used for illustrative purposes only)

The 5-Minute Advantage: De-escalation Through Preparation

In this particular instance, the situation was resolved without incident. The former employee had a genuine reason to visit and departed the property shortly thereafter. However, the security team noted that the system performed exactly as intended, providing them with advance notice and allowing for a proactive rather than reactive approach.

"While there was no threat this time, we estimate that the PlateSmart notification gave us at least a five-minute head start in deploying resources to manage the potential issue," the company's security engineer stated. "In the security world, five minutes is huge."

The Benefits: Reliable Integration for Proactive Security

The implementation of PlateSmart ARES delivered several critical security advantages:

Proactive Threat Management: The ability to identify potential threats before they develop into incidents

Force Multiplication: Enhanced security team effectiveness without increasing personnel

Reliability: Consistent, dependable performance demonstrated by the system

Integration Capability: Worked with the existing security infrastructure

Return on Investment: As the security engineer noted, "All it takes is one incident to justify the investment. PlateSmart can literally save lives."

For organizations facing similar workplace security challenges, automatic license plate recognition technology provides a powerful tool for early threat detection and proactive response—potentially turning what could be a tragic incident into a non-event.

LICENSE PLATE RECOGNITION (LPR): THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VEHICULAR INTELLIGENCE

PlateSmart’s deep dive into License Plate Recognition and its immense contribution to security agencies and businesses.

Looking to elevate your security infrastructure with cutting-edge LPR solutions?

We are just a phone call away. Call us today at (813) 749-0892 for a free consultation.

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