Case Study

Securing Higher Education in Urban Environments: How UC Law San Francisco Enhances Campus Safety with VOLT AI

Download PDF
UC Law

Key Benefits

Real-Time Response

VOLT AI alerts provide immediate notification of potential security incidents, enabling UC Law's security team to respond proactively rather than relying on constant manual monitoring.

Enhanced Campus Safety

Students can focus on education in a challenging urban environment, experiencing what Skinner calls "a weight off their shoulders" when entering campus.

Peace of Mind

The security team operates with confidence that weapons and other threats will be detected automatically, allowing them to focus on engagement rather than surveillance.

Meet Noah Skinner at UC Law San Francisco

UC Law San Francisco stands as a prominent legal education institution in the heart of San Francisco's Tenderloin district, serving approximately 1,000-1,500 students across multiple programs including their three-year law program and partnerships with UC Davis. The campus spans two full city blocks, encompassing six buildings with residential units, academic spaces, parking facilities, and retail areas.

Noah Skinner serves as the Director of Safety and Emergency Preparedness, overseeing all aspects of campus security. With a background that includes experience at high-profile organizations, Skinner brings deep expertise to the challenging task of securing an urban campus in one of San Francisco's most complex neighborhoods.

UC Law Quote 1

The Challenges of Securing a Campus in a Challenging Urban Environment

The Tenderloin District, known for its complex urban environment, presents unique security challenges. As part of our commitment to campus safety, we continuously assess and enhance our security measures to provide a secure learning environment for students, faculty, and staff.

One of the challenges we’ve faced is the limitations of traditional security monitoring. Some areas relied on outdated camera systems that were incompatible with modern security solutions. Additionally, human limitations can make it difficult to maintain constant, real-time surveillance.

“Even with the best security staff, human limitations exist. Whether it's distractions, engaging with students and guests, or multitasking, important incidents on camera can sometimes be missed. VOLT ensures that critical activity is detected and immediately brought to our attention.”

Noah Skinner

Director of Safety & Emergency, UC Law

VOLT vs Other

VOLT AI Implementation

After evaluating their security needs, UC Law implemented VOLT AI's intelligent video surveillance system to transform their existing camera infrastructure into a proactive security solution. Rather than building a traditional, centralized security operations center, they adopted a more modern, decentralized approach enhanced by AI capabilities.

The implementation focused initially on high-priority areas while working around technical limitations of legacy systems in certain campus locations. VOLT AI's technology was deployed to complement the existing multi-layered security approach, which already included different security firms for exterior and interior protection.

“Because we don’t have someone watching cameras 24/7, VOLT’s real-time alerts are a game-changer. It helps us catch things in action, providing an added layer of security.”

Noah Skinner

Director of Safety & Emergency, UC Law

Real-Time Detection: Campus Security Benefits from VOLT AI

UC Law has experienced significant security enhancements since implementing VOLT AI, with several key features proving particularly valuable:

  • Advanced Weapons Detection: The primary concern for Skinner and his team, VOLT AI's sophisticated algorithms identify potential firearms and other weapons with high accuracy.
  • Anomaly Detection: The system identifies unusual behavior patterns that might indicate security concerns, allowing for early intervention before situations escalate.
  • Integration with Multi-Layered Security: VOLT AI seamlessly enhances UC Law's comprehensive security approach, which Skinner describes as creating a secure perimeter around the campus.
  • Real-Time Alerts: Security personnel receive immediate notifications about potential security concerns without having to constantly monitor screens, significantly improving response capabilities.
  • Future Expansion Capabilities: The system is designed to grow with UC Law's needs, with plans to extend coverage to additional campus areas as older camera systems are upgraded.
“VOLT has been transformative for our campus security program. It gives me peace of mind by detecting in real-time and alerting us to potential threats and incidents that require immediate attention.”

Noah Skinner

Director of Safety & Emergency, UC Law

A Sanctuary for Learning in an Urban Environment

Noah Skinner and the UC Law security team have seen transformative results from their implementation of VOLT AI, creating what Skinner describes as a sanctuary effect within the campus despite the challenging urban environment.

The VOLT AI system has become an essential component of UC Law's security ecosystem, working alongside their multi-layered security approach to protect students, faculty, and staff. By providing timely alerts about potential security concerns, the technology gives Skinner and his team the confidence that they're not missing critical events.

“Knowing we have a comprehensive security program in place allows students to breathe easy and focus on learning, rather than worrying about their safety.”

Noah Skinner

Director of Safety & Emergency, UC Law

UC Law Quote 2

 

Download this resource

Short on time? Download the full case study now and read it at your convenience.