Dave Fraser, CEO, Omnilert explores the role of AI in protecting retail stores and distribution centers.

Transforming retail security

Gun violence poses a significant threat to retail environments, affecting both customer-facing stores and their supply chain facilities like fulfillment and distribution centers.

The presence of a firearm in any setting introduces the potential for violence, underscoring the need for proactive security measures.

Traditional security systems fall short in addressing these challenges, but advancements in AI offer transformative solutions that can enhance safety across the retail sector.

The escalating threat of gun violence in retail

Recent statistics highlight the increasing incidence of gun violence in retail spaces.

The Violence Project reports that over half of gun-related attacks in shopping areas over the past five decades have occurred within the last 15 years.

Additionally, the FBI’s 2022 data indicates that nearly half of active shooter incidents took place in open spaces, with 28% occurring in places of commerce, including retail stores and shopping malls.

High-profile incidents underscore the severity of this issue. In 2019, a mass shooting at a Walmart in El Paso, Texas resulted in 23 fatalities and led to lawsuits alleging inadequate security measures.

Similarly, in 2022, a shooting at a Walmart in Chesapeake, Virginia resulted in six employee deaths and prompted a $50 million lawsuit against the company.

These events have prompted retailers, boardrooms and investors to acknowledge the financial and reputational risks associated with such tragedies.

For instance, Walmart’s and others’ annual reports now recognize that active shooter events could materially adversely affect their financial performance.

Challenges in securing retail distribution centers

Beyond physical retail stores, the retailer’s distribution centers and warehouses within the retail supply chain face gun violence as well.

These facilities often have higher employee turnover, frequent supplier interactions and a significant number of temporary or seasonal workers that all create more opportunities for community violence to leak into the workplace.

By their nature, these centers are also a challenge to secure as they are porous environments and susceptible to security breaches.

The 2021 shooting at a FedEx facility in Indianapolis, which resulted in eight victim deaths, highlights the vulnerabilities in such settings.

This incident led to multiple lawsuits against FedEx and its security contractors, emphasizing the need for robust security measures in operational facilities.

Furthermore, beyond any costs due to litigation, gun violence of any form can instigate disruption of operations which carries a significant financial impact.

Leveraging AI for proactive security

There are ways for retailers to enhance their security posture and transform their security investments into something proactive, which can reduce or even prevent the impact of gun violence altogether.

That answer comes in the form of AI.

Large investments have been made in surveillance systems with security cameras.

The traditional systems largely serve a forensic purpose, recording events for post-incident analysis.

However, AI-driven solutions can transform these passive systems into proactive tools capable of real-time threat detection.

By integrating AI for gun detection, existing security cameras can identify firearms in real time and immediately alert security personnel, enabling swift intervention before violence escalates.

Practical use cases for AI gun detection in retail

AI-powered visual gun detection systems are designed to seamlessly integrate with existing security cameras, transforming them into proactive monitoring tools.

Here’s how they can work in a real-world retail scenario:

1. Detection before entry: A networked camera placed outside a store detects a visible firearm as an individual approaches. The system instantly flags the weapon, giving store personnel time to activate security protocols and potentially prevent the person from entering
2. Instant identification and alerting: Upon detecting a gun, the system processes the information in less than a second and sends an alert to designated contacts. These could include a store manager, security officer or a third-party monitoring team. Alerts can include location meta data from the camera, images and/or video for quick verification
3. Triggering a coordinated response: Once the alert is verified, predetermined response plans are activated. These can include locking doors, alerting law enforcement or communicating instructions to employees and customers, all aimed at minimizing harm and controlling the situation

This proactive approach is crucial in preventing incidents before they can escalate.

Not only does the response to a gun threat start much sooner, but all the other investments made in security systems become more valuable as they are activated in a mode of prevention, automatically and without the need for human interaction.

Legal and financial benefits

Implementing proactive security measures can mitigate the heavy costs of inaction – operational, legal and social costs.

The $43 million verdict against CVS following a parking lot shooting and the $800 million settlement awarded to victims of a mass shooting in Las Vegas underscore the substantial financial consequences when incidents escalate.

Investing in preventive solutions, like AI-driven monitoring, can be more cost-effective than facing lawsuits or paying damages after an incident.

Moreover, the rise in gun violence has led to an increased demand for active assailant insurance among retailers.

By adopting robust, proactive security systems, retailers not only enhance safety but may also reduce insurance costs, as effective security measures can lower the likelihood of violent incidents and, consequently, financial risk.

Conclusion

The growing prevalence of gun violence in retail environments necessitates a shift toward proactive security strategies.

AI-based gun detection systems can transform existing security infrastructure, enabling retailers to identify and respond to potential threats swiftly.

This approach not only protects customers and employees but also helps retailers avoid costly legal battles and maintain public trust.

By embracing AI-driven solutions, retailers can create safer environments and reinforce their commitment to the wellbeing of their communities.

This article was originally published in the January edition of Security Journal Americas. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.