- Flashing Pedals for the Cycle Cop
A Product Review
More and more we are seeing again the bicycle-mounted police officer on our streets, especially in cites and towns – though even in the villages he seems to be making a reappearance – and about time too. In addition to the police constables we now have ambulance paramedics and other first responders on mountain bikes, and then there si the humble Park Ranger and Countryside Ranger, also using bicycles for patrol and for getting about on duty.
Being seen for all of those, like for all cyclists, and not only after dark – even though it is more important when it is dark – is of prime importance. While most officers who use bicycles wear high-visibility jackets of one kind or another, more often than not with reflective strips, I would assume that any additional aids that enhance their visibility must be a bonus.
I first encountered Pedalite flashing pedals at the Pedalite stand on the Cycle 2007 Show at London's Earls Court in October 2007, which I attended with my other Editor's hat, namely that of editor of the Green (Living) Review.
One of the Directors of Pedalite, present at that stand, Mr. Chris Stimpson, kindly gave me a set of the Pedalite pedals for review and I lust say that I am impressed. Let me stress here that I do not impress easily and it normally takes a great deal to impress me and make me go “wow”, but those pedals, so far, certainly have done just that.
Pedalite Pedals are used in 22 countries around the world. They are used by emergency services, including multiple police forces, commuters, school children, students, cycle clubs, government departments, and cycling enthusiasts.
I do understand that some police forces already use Pedalite pedals routinely in their bicycles but I should think that those pedals should become mandatory for all bicycles in use by emergency service personnel, including Parks & Countryside Rangers, Town Wardens, Community Wardens and Community Support Officers.
Fitting those pedals to my general bicycle, a Raleigh Pioneer Classic, was very simple indeed once that I had managed to get the old, and by now well past use-by date, pedals that I was in fact still using on that bike off. I know I should have had new ones fitted a long time ago as the reflectors had all, bar one, broken off but I never got around to doing so. So, thanks again to Pedalite and Mr. Stimpson, the bike now has brilliant (no pun intended) pedals fitted.
Having now used the Pedalite pedals for some time now already in the dark or semi-dark I must say that I feel so much better riding my bicycle with those pedals, as the flashes are so bright and easily seen. Other people also have commented on them rather positively with interest and maybe I should be carrying some kind of information cards on me to give people a link to purchasing them.
The flashes are very bright and powerful while riding and continue for about three to five minutes once pedal movement has ceased, such as when the cycle is in a stationary position.
It would appear – with my review sample set at least – that the white, forward facing LED switches off after about three minutes when stationary while the amber colored one (side) and the red one (rear facing) continue for another one to two minutes.
In addition to that I find that the ride with the Pedalite pedals appear to be smoother underfoot – so to speak – that it has been with the previous set of pedals that I have had one that bike.
One recommendation I would make though to anyone using those pedals and that is to – definitely – also purchase the toe clips that go with them. This avoids the slips that can occur when one puts one's foot on the wrong side of the pedal, namely the one that does not have the metal studs. On wet pedals a slip could turn out nasty.
The lights retail online at www.pedalite.com at £34.99 and they are also available from good cycle shops in the UK and overseas. For more information see the company's website at www.pedalite.com.
Review by Michael Smith (Veshengro), November 2007
Being totally aware of one's surroundings at all times is most important when it comes to personal safety and personal security, and this is not only so on unfamiliar ground.
In our sister publication, the “Safety & Security Review” online, I have tackled this earlier in 2007, from the aspect and angle of individual, non-professional personnel, level. I shall now repeat this, so to speak, with some advice for the professionals, having noticed that amongst those similar problems seem to be present.
Your security is only as good as you are. You must always remember that. This applies to your home security, base security as well as and especially your personal security.
Nothing, not even the best technology, can ever substitute for your own vigilance.
I have seen security officer dawdling about, engaged in conversation with a partner, or on a cell phone or radio – and not just standard industry security officers – being nigh on oblivious to their surroundings, like so many civilians.
Step out of your vehicle only when you are sure there is no one lurking around in such a way that he or she could be a threat to you when exiting your vehicle. The same when you step out of a building or complex that you are guarding when going to check on the outside. It would, I am sure, not be the first time that, unbeknown to an officer, someone was lurking outside and, by pushing a guard back into the building, for instance, gains entry to a, supposedly, secure area. Check and double check your surroundings before you do anything.
You are more in danger, in my view, in surroundings that are familiar to you, such as your “home turf”, what the villains in England would call “manor”, at your place of work, than in a strange neighborhood or even town or country. This also applies to the officer on the beat. Why is that? Because on your home manor, the area that you move in every day you are more relaxed, as a rule, and your personal security perimeter is closer and you let people come closer to you than that would be the case if you were moving thru an area unfamiliar to you. On our home patch we very often let our guard down and don't perceive the threats that may be lurking as quickly as we would in other instances. But this guard must not slip. Towards people you know personally and with who you are on friendly terms even if as acquaintances only the guard can be lowered, probably, for even friends and family can and will betray you, but anyone in your own area that you do not know must be perceived as a potential threat.
For the professional vigilance in your own garden, on your landing, if you live in an apartment, in your own roads, has to be as acute and sharp as in unfamiliar territory and/or when on duty. The professional law enforcer, security officer, doorman, and the like, can be a target, because of his job on the job as well as off the job, and the family of such can be targets for the villains too. Many know that only too well, especially those that served in the then Ulster Constabulary, now Police Service of Northern Ireland, who found themselves and their families and homes targets for bombs and attacks by small arms, rocket launchers and targets for kidnap. We can never allow our vigilance to slip, not even for a moment.
Always watch your six o'clock!, as they say. Make it a habit to look behind you every so often, develop good peripheral vision and learn to be totally aware of your surroundings at all times.
I have personally made it to a habit, whether on-duty or off-duty, to come to a semi-stop and to turn around rather sharp and abruptly frequently, though in an unpredictable manner and pattern, to ensure than I am not being followed, stalked and targeted, and that not only in unfamiliar surroundings but even in places that I know and where I live. I probably do this more so when it is getting darker or in the mornings before it is fully light but I also do do that rather as a norm during daylight hours. I am sure people must think me rather strange for doing this but, if I do it for my protection and security; not to please people and I am not concerned as to what they may think.
Too many people who do become victims of a crime are not aware (enough) of their surroundings and especially nowadays are rather distracted, mostly by the fact that they have earphones on listening to their MP3 players, which are often turned up way too loud with the high volume making them deaf to their surroundings, or are chatting on the cell phones. Not only are those people deaf to their surroundings but they are in fact most of the time entirely oblivious to what is going on around them and move, it seems, entirely in a little world of their own. Anyone behaving like that might as well be wearing a sign saying, “target” on their back.
Not only is anyone who is distracted by having an MP3 player plugged into his or her ears or engrossed in a cell phone conversation a potential victim of a crime, he or she is also an accident waiting to happen. Often one can see those people totally oblivious to their surrounding stepping into the road into the traffic.
I have seen this also with LEOs jogging off-duty in the parks. They too are “plugged in” and “wired for sound” and become then entirely oblivious to what is going on around then, just like ordinary “civilians”.
Do not make yourself a victim – and this also applies to the professional. Be aware of what is going on around you at all times.
Ambulance and Fire crews too must be aware of this. We have encountered situation before where they have been targeted simple because they were there and also because they were more concerned about the incident they were attending than there own personal safety when exiting their vehicles for instance.
The ordinary First Aider gets taught in training to first check his or her surrounding before going and dealing with the victim. Why? Because personal safety and security must be paramount. You cannot help the victim, in any way, shape or form, if you yourself become a victim.
So, let's be careful out there, as they used to say in our briefings.
© M V Smith, 2007
It is amazing, and I shall only use two little items here as an example, how many professional security officers, law enforcers, airport screeners, etc. do not recognize those two little knives, that shall be using as an example here, as what they are, namely knives.
There are many more such hidden weapons, in the blank weapon, e.g. bladed weapon, category, and there are also other hidden weapons about up to and including firearms and IEDs. Often hidden again in such away that they are nigh on impossible to spot. That, we know, is the idea. While it may not be thus, theoretically, with those little knives used here, they nevertheless, fall under the category of “hidden weapons”.
Now let's look at those two little pen knives in question, part of my little collection.
The pictures above show a “key ring knife” that was given away at a trade fair. While, obviously, there is nothing wrong with that per se, that is to say the knife and the fact that it was given away at a trade fair as a business gift, this is one that even this author, who was the recipient, did not immediately recognize as being a small folding knife (the picture below shows the same knife in the open position).I wondered why it said “Key Ring Knife” on the box. Yes, even professionals can be thick at times and even those that write journals such as this, and such as this writer. I must say I looked at it then twice before I twigged it. As said, happens to all of us at times.
When attached together with a bunch of keys it is even harder to spot than when on its own.
I have shown this particular item to a number of professional security officers, doormen and police officers and – even without being attached to a bunch of keys – asked them, “what do you see”. Obviously my question and the phrasing of it put them immediately on guard. As one of them said, “it is a keyring fob but, as you ask me in the way that you did, there is something special about it”, and all were rather surprised that they did not, immediately, check it out as a knife, however small, and, therefore, a potential threat. Have someone with something like that in your cruiser to ask him questions or to take him in and there could be rather a nasty scenario.
While the person carrying one of those may not, necessarily, be carrying it with a criminal intent and may not be a terrorist what I would like to point out is how easy they can be overlooked.
While even someone barding or wishing to board a plane with this keyring on his or her person should not be seen immediately as a threat and as a potential terrorist but we must be aware that those little items exist.
The other one is a small pen knife/paper knife – again a business gift – that is made to look like a key.
While the Key Knife, as I have called it, is a lot easier to spot on its own (this one, in fact, came with its own little vinyl pouch), as the folded blade is quite visible and should get one's attention, together with a bunch of keys, on a key ring, it becomes virtually invisible to anyone, even the trained professional, unless the same is aware of such items that could be hidden there. This, however, does mean that one would have to, physically, pick up, say, a bunch of keys and actually check through them as to whether something like that may be hidden amongst the keys. That, however, takes time and, therefore, slows down check ins and such like, and thus is not done routinely, methinks.
© M V Smith, 2007
27 Jun 07
By Steven Vickers
A top security analyst is expected to launch a damning attack on airport security when he chairs the TranSec World Expo Aviation Security Conference in Amsterdam today.
Chris Yates, the Principal of Yates Consulting, believes that the current regulatory framework is stifling important advances in the global aviation security regime.
Speaking before the event, he said: “Six years on from the September 11 attacks on New York and Washington DC security is little better. The cosmetic changes, including the nonsensical ban on sharps which has now thankfully been lifted, the equally ridiculous present restriction on cabin baggage which should be lifted and the vaguely ludicrous limitation on the quantity of liquid, gel or paste products which gives rise to much confusion and ire amongst the travelling public, has and continues to cost this industry dear.”
He continued, “These cosmetic measures generate no appreciable gain in security and underscore the fact that regulators are devoid of answers to modern day threats”.
“These cosmetic measures generate no appreciable gain in security and underscore the fact that regulators are devoid of answers to modern day threats.”
Chris Yates, Principal of Yates Consulting
According to statistics from the International Air Transport Association, worldwide expenditure on airport security has risen by US$5.6 billion annually since September 11th 2001.
The IATA and Airports Council International have raised concerns that despite investment, national regulators have continued to thwart appropriate responses to the threats the industry faces. Instead they believe that the regulators are favouring a one size fits all policy which hurts passengers, airlines and airports.
Yates, who is also due to chair the expo’s workshop on biometrics and access control said, “Regulators must take onboard technological advances, harness those advances and deploy or require deployment accordingly.”
Introduction
The National Counter Terrorism Security Office, which is part of MI5, will be simulating a terrorism attack in Chichester on Tuesday 12 June 2007, in order to advise businesses on how to prevent, handle and recover from an attack.
The event, named Project Argus, which is being organised by Chichester District Council in partnership with Chichester City Council and Sussex Police, is free to all businesses on a 'first come, first served' basis. It will take place at the Assembly Rooms, North Street, Chichester (City Council Offices) at 6.00 pm.
The simulation, using audio-visual effects as well as film footage, will take businesses through the immediate aftermath of an attack and how they can plan to respond to ensure the safety of their staff and customers. It will cover the response by the emergency services and how this, and the subsequent investigation, may give rise to business continuity issues – issues which following the bomb in Manchester City Centre caused 80% of the businesses who had no plans in place, to cease trading within 18 months of the attack.
Those taking part will be given a series of questions and challenges throughout the session to tackle both individually and in groups. There will be a panel of senior representatives available, including Emergency Planning Officers, from the Security Service, Emergency Services and District Council, to answer questions and offer advice.
Whilst centred around a terrorist incident, the evening will provide valuable information and advice that can be equally useful to prevent local crime and to recover, and be able to continue to trade, following a fire, serious crime, flooding or other more common incidents than could affect the city centre.
John Cherry, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Resources at Chichester District Council, said,
'This is a unique opportunity for proprietors and managers of businesses of all sizes to get together to prepare for any serious emergency, regardless of the cause, that could affect Chichester and their ability to trade normally. There are still some places left and so we would encourage local businesses to contact the Council and book onto this valuable course.'
Managers or proprietors wishing to attend, can book a place by contacting the City Centre Manager, Kim Long, on 01243 534677, or email klong@chichester.gov.uk Refreshments and sandwiches will be available for those people coming directly from work.
Date of Release: 3 June 2007
China has confirmed a new outbreak of the deadly H5N1 strain of the bird flu virus in the central province of Hunan, state media has reported.
More than 11,000 poultry died of the virus in Shijiping village near Yiyang city, the Agriculture Ministry said.
Some 53,000 birds have since been culled and officials say that the outbreak is now under control.
China's last reported case was in March, when chickens died at a poultry market near the Tibetan capital, Lhasa.
There were no reports of human infection in the latest outbreak.
A total of 15 people have died in China from the H5N1 virus and millions of birds have been culled.
Officials are working to vaccinate billions of domestic poultry by the end of May in preparation for the northward migration of wild birds in the summer, Xinhua news agency has said.
Since the H5N1 virus emerged in South East Asia in late 2003, it has claimed more than 180 lives around the world. Indonesia has been hardest hit, with more than 70 deaths.
Scientists fear the virus could mutate to a form which could be easily passed from human to human, triggering a pandemic and potentially putting millions of lives at risk.
Systemcare's Avian Flu/Anti Virus Developments
In response to the emergency contingency planning by major blue chip companies to protect against global pandemics.
Systemcare has been very quick to respond to dealer requests by launching a core range of Personal – Office hygiene and virus protection products.
Doug Skeggs, Marketing Director states - “Major global companies and institutions have been giving enquiries to their dealers for this type of product for several months now and we are able to offer a variety of products that comply with the relevant official guidelines to help with protection. The West appears to have been lucky so far this year not to have had a voracious virus that the World Health Organisation is tracking the development of Avian Flu.
No one knows whether the preparedness is sufficient to avert significant human and economic damage. What history teaches us is with a virus, and in particularly Flu expect the unexpected.
With this type of product quality standards are more important than cost.
The indications are since the Sars and recent Avian Flu threats that many large blue chip companies where they have large numbers of staff working together are already taking precautions as part of their emergency contingency planning to protect staff and the business continuity should an outbreak occur.
The superbugs like MRSA in hospitals are also creating similar opportunities for the Office Products Dealers where the media ensures that personal hygiene on hands and surfaces is kept clearly on the agenda creating consumer awareness and sales.
Systemcare can be contacted at:
www.systemcare.co.uk
Enquiries@systemcare.co.uk
The Address of their head office is:
6-7 Maybrook Industrial Estate, Walsall Wood, Walsall, WS8 7DG, UK
Tel: +44 (0) 1543 454 872 Fax: +44 (0) 1543 454 184
