NCJ Number
48178
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 45 Issue: 6 Dated: (JUNE 1978) Pages: 39-42
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
METHODS OF PREVENTING UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS TO VARIOUS AREAS OF A BUILDING ARE DISCUSSED AS APPLIED TO THE ATLANTIC RICHFIELD CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.
Abstract
THE DEVELOPMENT OF SECURITY PROGRAMS PROTECTING 3,000 EMPLOYEES AND 3 FACILITIES HOUSING THE CORPORATE OPERATIONS OF THE ATLANTIC RICHFIELD COMPANY ARE DISCUSSED, FROM THE PERIOD OF OCCUPANCY WHEN CONSTRUCTION OF THE FACILITIES WAS STILL IN PROGRESS TO CURRENT REFINEMENTS OF THE SECURITY SYSTEM. THEFT WAS A MAJOR PROBLEM WHEN THE BUILDINGS WERE FIRST OCCUPIED. STEPS TAKEN TO DETER THEFT AND INCREASE ACCOUNTABILITY INCLUDED THE LOCKING OF STAIRWELL DOORS FROM THE STAIRWELL, STRICT RULES FOR THE MOVEMENTS OF GUARD PERSONNEL, ELEVATOR CONTROLS, AND THE USE OF WELL-DEFINED PROCEDURES FOR USING THE BUILDING AFTER BUSINESS HOURS. BUILDING ACCESS HAS BEEN FURTHER REFINED SO THAT PERSONNEL NO LONGER NEED WRITTEN AFTER-HOURS ACCESS PASSES. THE INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES (IBM) SYSTEM 7 MONITORING COMPUTER, THE BASIS OF ACCESS TO THE TOWER PORTION OF THE BUILDING, ALLOWS AN EMPLOYEE TO INSERT A CARD INTO A CARDREADER AT THE LOBBY DESK, AND A GREEN LIGHT VERIFIES AN ACTIVE CARD. THE ATTENDANT THEN UNLOCKS THE FLOOR DESIRED FOR ELEVATOR ACCESS. ONCE ON THE FLOOR, THE EMPLOYEE MUST AGAIN INSERT HIS CARD INTO A CARDREADER IN THE FLOOR'S ELEVATOR LOBBY IN ORDER TO GAIN ACCESS TO THE OFFICES. SPECIAL PROVISIONS FOR SERVICE AND MAINTENANCE PERSONS NOT REGULARLY EMPLOYED IN THE BUILDINGS WERE ALSO MADE. IN ADDITION, A PROCEDURE WAS INSTITUTED TO CONTROL THE MOVEMENT OF PACKAGES AND EQUIPMENT. THE REKEYING OF LOCKS WAS ALSO DONE IN ORDER TO REGAIN THE LOSS OF KEY CONTROL THAT OCURRED DURING CONSTRUCTION. AN EMERGENCY COMMUNICATION SYSTEM WAS INTRODUCED TO ALLOW INSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH ALL TENANTS IN THE BUILDING. RECEIVER UNITS SOUND AND FLASH WHEN THERE IS AN EMERGENCY MESSAGE FROM CENTRAL CONTROL CONCERNING PARTICULAR AREAS IN THE BUILDINGS. FURTHER REFINEMENTS INCLUDE AN EVENING PATROL WHICH NOTES THE FAILURE OF EMPLOYEES TO PROPERLY SECURE OFFICES AND PROPERTY, AND A PROCEDURE FOR KEEPING RECORDS ON THE USE OF ALL CARDS IN THE IBM SYSTEM 7. PANIC BUTTONS ARE ALSO PRESENT AT RECEPTIONISTS' DESKS AND OTHER POINTS WHERE ENTRY MIGHT BE ATTEMPTED. (RCB)