Latest Stories on CGIT

In recent years, the demand for sophisticated security solutions at major events—concerts, festivals, sports games—has intensified due to a series of high-profile security threats. From the tragic Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas to the recent chaos at the Astroworld Festival and even the cancellation of a Taylor Swift concert due to credible security threats, public gatherings have become increasingly vulnerable. As crowd sizes grow and risks escalate, event organizers and public safety officials are turning to advanced technology to better safeguard attendees. Now, portable gunshot detection systems like CGIT’s FireFLY are setting new standards, transforming how event security is approached. Designed for precise, real-time alerts and unmatched adaptability, these systems are redefining the way we protect attendees in today’s high-stakes environment.  The Need for Portable Gunshot Detection in Event Security  Historically, event security has relied on fixed monitoring setups that are often costly, complex, and inflexible. Traditional […]

In recent years, law enforcement agencies across the U.S. have observed a troubling trend: the rapid increase in machine gun conversion devices, often referred to as “Glock switches.” These devices, known in technical terms as machine gun conversion devices (MCDs), have been surging in popularity among criminals, posing a serious threat to public safety and to the officers who serve and protect our communities. According to a 2023 report by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), law enforcement seized 5,454 firearms equipped with MCDs between 2017 and 2021—a staggering 570% increase in just five years. This alarming rise has prompted a coordinated response from federal and local law enforcement agencies, with advanced technologies from private sector innovators like CGIT contributing to the solution. What Are Glock Switches and Why Are They Dangerous? Glock switches or MCDs are small devices—sometimes made of plastic or metal—that can be easily […]

By Kelli Smith Staff Writer 1:41 PM on Sep 11, 2024 The City Council approved a $336,000 contract to buy a gunshot detection program.   The Dallas Police Department will soon try out a new system to better pinpoint random bursts of gunfire. The City Council on Wednesday approved a three-year contract for $336,362 with Crime Gunshot Intelligence Technologies for its gunshot detection program, FireFLY LE. The system works by alerting a police employee when it picks up on the sound of a potential gunshot. That employee will evaluate the noise, and if they tag it as gunfire, patrol is notified to its possible location. Council members have voiced concerns in recent years about random gunfire in Dallas, with some noting that residents constantly report the problem and complain about feeling ignored. Police usually label random gunfire calls a lower priority. Police officials have said random gunfire happens across the […]

CGIT’s latest advancement in gunshot detection technology, the FireFLY LE III stands as a testament to innovation and heightened security measures for law enforcement agencies. Designed to address the critical need for swift and accurate identification of gunfire incidents and evidence collection, the FireFLY LE III represents a significant leap forward in the field of public safety and a commitment to continuous improvement to meet the needs of law enforcement agencies. With its new state-of-the-art features and product updates, this latest iteration not only enhances response times but also offers a comprehensive solution to the challenges posed by urban violence and security threats and represents a monumental leap forward in public safety and law enforcement innovation. Advanced Processing Power The newest edition of FireFLY uses edge processing that enables data processing on the sensor itself. By processing acoustic data directly on the device, FireFLY LE III reduces reliance on external […]

In the wake of recent mass shootings, the need for tools to intercept shooters quickly in order to minimize bloodshed is more critical than ever. Huntsville systems and software engineering company Invariant Corporation, founded over 20 years ago and now headquartered at 4040 Chris Drive, Suite 100 in South Huntsville, is stepping up to the plate to fill this need. Invariant’s FireFLY (hostile Fire Fast Locating sensor) is a hostile fire-detection system originally created to support the US Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC). First deployed by the U.S. Army 4th Battalion in Afghanistan in 2011, it continues to operate overseas in support of deployed forces. More recently, it has found commercial law enforcement applications in multiple U.S. cities. Invariant founder and president David Anderson Developed jointly with Hyperion Technology Group of Tupelo, Mississippi, FireFLY is a low-cost system that combines a network of both optical and acoustic sensors to provide […]

AS TECHNOLOGY BECOMES MORE ADVANCED and ushers in a new era of safety and security, NCS4 developed both their National Sports Security Laboratory (NSSL) and the Sports and Entertainment Technology Alliance to bolster their capabilities. “Advancing technology is pivotal in helping to keep events safe and secure,” said Dr. Lou Marciani, NCS4 Director. “The Sports and Entertainment Technology Alliance was created to foster education on current and new technologies, and promote best practices for safer and smarter schools, sport and entertainment venues and events.” The Technology Alliance is the driving force for identifying innovative safety and security solutions through integrated technology design, development, and process enhancement with respect to sport venue operations management and associated first responder capabilities. Its primary goal is to test technology against use cases and threats to propose new advanced technologies. “With safety and security capabilities top of mind with our customers around the world, Dell […]

On Nov. 18 and 19 2015, the Denver Field Division and the Army’s research and development branch conducted the latest in a series of tests to refine the next generation of gunfiredetection technology. Called FireFly, the wireless acoustic and electro optical system has the capability to detect, analyze and triangulate the quantity and source of gunfire within its area of coverage. It functions similarly to a gunshot-detection technology called ShotSpotter deployed by the Denver Police Department in parts of the city, except for one major attribute. “The benefit of FireFly is it is mobile and rapidly deployable. Even if the violence moves around the city, outside ShotSpotter’s current coverage, we can pick up and move these mobile sensors and follow the violence,” said Group Supervisor Tim Kelly, who oversees Denver’s arson and explosives group. “It could complement ShotSpotter as part of the Crime Gun Intelligence Center’s activities.” “This type of […]