In the United States, about 2 million people fall victim to workplace violence every year. This number is on the rise, with eight in ten retailers reporting an increase in violent incidents over the past year, making retail work one of the highest-risk jobs for workplace violence. There is a pressing need for significant safety measures to better protect these workers. That's why WSPER and Solink are teaming up with Noonlight to provide 24/7 protection and emergency response.
A staggering 68% of workers do not feel safe at their job. This anxiety about workplace safety makes it difficult for people to perform their duties and complicates employee retention. The pervasive sense of insecurity has prompted retail workers, who are especially vulnerable due to staffing shortages and ineffective safety protocols, to take drastic measures. Strikes and walkouts have become more common as employees demand improved safety measures. "I need to feel safe. I need to know that I’m guarded, protected, and valued," Kenya Slaughter told Sourcing Journal. "No one should feel fearful for their life going into work every day. That shouldn’t be an issue. You should feel safe at work the same way you do at home," Slaughter emphasized.
WSPER’s LTE battery-powered panic button, powered by Noonlight, provides employees with the necessary tools to quickly alert the police in the event of an emergency with a simple press of a button. Thanks to the WSPER buttons, workers can discreetly request emergency assistance, which is vital for situations when they are unable to talk on the phone or dial 911. When the button is pressed, the alarm is passed through Noonlight’s Dispatch API, where a trained Noonlight agent immediately contacts the local police to dispatch help. While WSPER’s panic button can function independently of any traditional alarm or AI-driven camera systems, it also offers enhanced features through integrations with these products.
To ensure the fastest possible police response, WSPER and Noonlight have partnered with Solink, a leader in video security for businesses of all sizes, to integrate security camera footage into the panic alarm system. Across the US, police response times improve significantly when video footage is attached to an alarm. The live footage confirms an active emergency, enabling dispatchers to prioritize the alarm in the police queue. For instance, the San Francisco Police Department’s response time for a verified alarm is 300% faster than for an unverified alarm—7 minutes compared to 21 minutes.
When an employee presses the WSPER button at a location that also has Solink cameras installed, live video from those cameras is added to the Noonlight alarm. The 911 call taker and first responders are able to access the video via Noonlight's SendPolice dashboard, ensuring the employee receives the fastest, most informed response possible.
The partnership between WSPER, Solink, and Noonlight represents a significant advancement in workplace safety, particularly for retail workers who face increasing risks of violence. By integrating WSPER's LTE battery-powered panic button with Solink's video security technology, and Noonlight's emergency response capabilities this partnership offers a comprehensive solution that addresses the urgent need for enhanced safety measures. Employees can now discreetly request help with the press of a button, while real-time video verification ensures a swift and prioritized police response. This multi-faceted approach not only aims to reduce incidents of workplace violence but also strives to restore a sense of security and peace of mind for workers, ultimately fostering a safer and more supportive work environment.
