Meeting Notes
Reid also provided a document with more information about Echelon
Chris presented Reid Kerr from Echelon. https://pacificechelon.com/
Current customer NWCC, Northwest community conservancy a nonprofit, approached Echelon. They are providing security to the Pearl district.
The echelon is security, technology, and nonprofit
Technology – cameras work with Make computing, work on DOD analytics uses AI.
Notify guards of the situation with a live view of the area.
They use the business's video feed to monitor and notify guards of any issues. The videos are stored locally at each business.
Loving One Another – Nonprofit
16 to 20 people boots on the ground to talk with houseless people to use shelters. 400 volunteers.
Trash clean-ups.
Security guards have supplies and they are trained to deescalate issues with houseless people
Echelon – Security
The consortium’s model is a group of businesses coming together for security. 1 guard dedicated to patrolling business. Can call 24/7, expected response 5 minutes.
Questions:
Success rate moving people to shelters.
No statistics, it depends on the circumstances.
What is done when actual crime?
Humanitarian approach, they do make arrests when the crime is committed. Form a perimeter, they do not enter buildings. Keep the person in a safe location and call the police. Oregon law, right to arrest somebody. Usually, escort people from the property. Cops usually show up in a few minutes.
Recordings?
Cameras already in business can be used. The recording is still housed at the businesses. Newer cameras work, no ring system.
How the area around the business is protected?
Security guards can interact with anybody on the sidewalk. Conversation, no intimidation. A security guard is recording.
New ADA rule, camping on the sidewalk with being illegal. https://www.portland.gov/code/14/a50/020
If NW Industrial Area is interested, what is the cost, and can it be scalable?
The cost will be provided; it depends on the size and type of businesses. This will develop through interviews.
Scalability, 12 hours at night 7 days a week. Can grow to get to 24 hours. The price is per building.
The contract is with each individual business, because of liability issues.
If several businesses hire Echelon at the same time they will get a lower price.
Contract with each business, a number of businesses signed up, and the price is set, will not change if some of the business drop. If business drops the coverage will drop, ea. from 24 to 23 hours.
What happens if an arrest goes sidewise?
It has not happened. If it happens, a supervisor will step in to cover for the guard that is involved with the police.
What if a guard hurt somebody?
There is mutual indemnification clause.
What is the outlook in the city?
Houseless will improve long term. Crime is getting worse and will not improve for a while. Nice areas are not getting better, there is an uptake in crime. More organized crime, and not enough police.
Visibility of the guards, how to make presence known:
The day the guards just use a polo because they want to work in building relationships with the community. At night use visible uniforms, and drive unmarked cars.
People vs technology:
They rely more on people. Legit crime technology is better.
What changes business has seen since hiring them?
A large majority would say they do not know where they would be if they did not Echelon.
Would provide references.
Next step: