Integris Composites unveils CRSS

Image courtesy Integris Composites

CRSS is a ballistic shield hidden in a cabinet that police and security professionals can unlock and grab as they race to engage an active shooter in a building or facility.

These cabinets would be strategically placed in schools, offices, courthouses and other pre-designated buildings. School resource officers, sworn security personnel or patrol officers closest to the location of an ongoing active shooter event, would have a ballistic shield available, eliminating a delay in response as shields are brought to the scene.

Announcing this innovation during the 46th Shooting, Hunting and Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show) in Las Vegas, Kim McNeely, director of commercial operations for Integris Composites, Inc. said: “Protective gear nearby can give an on-premises responder a decisive edge.”

McNeely said the Integris Concealed Response Shield System is the company’s debut into a new category of protection called Situational Armour: “Traditional armour has protected the police officer or warfighter as they move forward on their missions. But we are seeing the emergence of a new generation of risk where threats arise against virtually anyone, anywhere, at any time. This calls for public safety, security and resiliency planning.

"By having high-level ballistic protection in the place where and when it might be needed, nearby officers can intervene during the initial moments crucial to engaging a shooter, thereby protecting victims and possibly neutralising the threat.”  

Active shooter situations are often over within 10-to-15 minutes, according to the federal Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, emphasising the importance of a rapid response.

Following months of concept evaluation and product development, Integris Composites unveiled its CRSS, which includes the following:

• Specially modified cabinets with RFID and Bluetooth locks that can be opened with an access card or Bluetooth device, such as a smartphone or portable radio.
• A rapidly deployable 2.77 square foot, Level III ballistic shield, designed and manufactured by Integris.

Integris said its CRSS is available for special order and can be adapted to suit the requirements of various facilities. David Cordova, Chief Commercial Officer, Integris, said: “The fact is that the public and private sectors are being called upon to support the physical security and resilience of our society. We must come together to protect facilities, venues and public gatherings.

“Organisations like Integris, that provide armour and survivability, need to go beyond our traditional roles and ask how we can help with active shooter preparedness, explosive mitigation, school safety, protecting houses of worship, securing public gatherings – as well as top attacks from drones and brute-force vehicle ramming mitigation.”