Election Worker Safety Concerns Highlight Need for Duress Alarms
As the 2024 elections approach, a disturbing trend of violence and threats against poll workers has many officials on high alert. Reports of physical assaults, arson targeting ballot boxes, and even an incident involving a machete-wielding individual at a polling place paint an alarming picture. In response, some states are taking unprecedented measures to protect election staff.
In Georgia’s Cobb County, elections director Tate Fall made an urgent appeal to the Board of Elections for panic buttons and armed security at voting sites. “It’s what keeps me up at night,” Fall explained, noting the measures are meant to give her largely older volunteer and staff peace of mind. The state has since allocated over $2.4 million for heightened security, including panic buttons that use the same radio system as police.
This scenario is playing out in numerous other jurisdictions grappling with the potential for Election Day unrest. Beyond extra law enforcement presence, many are looking to duress alarm technology as a key protective tool. Wearable panic buttons that can instantly alert authorities if a worker is threatened have seen a surge in demand, with thousands of units being deployed nationwide.
“Election officials, even outside of swing states, have been tormented and threatened, because no one really knows how it’s going to go,” said Jeff Ellington, CEO of Runbeck Election Services which has sold around 1,000 Bluetooth-enabled panic button badges this cycle. The company, a longtime provider of election equipment, partnered with Response Technologies to develop the personnel alert system in direct response to the fraught environment workers now face.
For those on the frontlines of the democratic process, innovations like discreet wearable panic buttons that reliably summon help can provide crucial reassurance and a vital lifeline if a dangerous situation unfolds. But beyond the election context, an array of sectors are increasingly implementing duress alarms to keep employees safe.
At JET Hotel Solutions, we specialize in cutting-edge duress alarm technology designed for the specific security challenges of the hospitality industry https://www.jethotelsolutions.com/relay-family/. Housekeepers and other hotel staff are too often vulnerable to threats and assault given the isolated nature of their work. That’s why we’ve developed advanced duress alarm actuators that allow workers to quickly call for backup at the press of a button.
Our state-of-the-art RelayX system https://www.jethotelsolutions.com exemplifies the power of modern panic button infrastructure. Leveraging a revolutionary combination of 4G/5G cellular networks, private LTE, and WiFi, RelayX establishes unparalleled connectivity so alerts always get through. The ultra-rugged, water-resistant units are also engineered for the most challenging environments, with military-grade durability, high-output speakers for clear audio even in loud settings, and an easy-to-read display.
In addition to initiating an immediate alert, RelayX’s smart features empower further situational awareness and emergency response coordination. Built-in GPS and optional Bluetooth beacons enable precise location tracking, down to the specific room, to guide responders to where help is needed. Two-way audio allows security to communicate directly with the employee in distress. Advanced automation ties into hotel systems to take actions like restricting elevator access to authorized personnel only during an incident.
While state-of-the-art, our duress alarms are straightforward to use thanks to thoughtful design honed by decades of experience in this space. The concept of a portable communications device for urgent situations actually originated back in the 1940s, with the “walkie-talkie” invented by Canadian Don Hings. First deployed in World War II to coordinate troops, these two-way radios allowed transmission and receipt of messages on the move – a groundbreaking capability.
Since then, the underlying technology has continually evolved and found new applications – from keeping the public safe, to coordinating logistics, to protecting lone workers. Today’s digital panic button systems are highly specialized and optimized for reliability, range, battery life and more. But they maintain the core functionality of enabling simple, fast, wireless communication when it matters most.
At JET Hotel Solutions www.jethotelsolutions.com, we’re proud to be at the forefront of innovating duress alarm actuators for those working in hospitality, an industry with unique risk factors. Housekeeper panic buttons are now mandated in many major cities, and we expect to see this trend gain further traction given the focus on employee wellbeing.
No one should have to experience threats or violence in the workplace, whether that’s a hotel room or a voting booth. While the need for such protective measures is a sad reflection on society, we’re committed to providing the most effective duress alarm solutions to keep workers safe. Reliable connectivity, precision location data, intelligent alerting and intuitive activation can make all the difference in a crisis. Because at the end of the day, everyone deserves to feel secure just doing their job.