Photo by Jean Falbo-Sosnovich
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro and Microboard President/CEO Nicole Russo in Seymour Wednesday.
SEYMOUR — U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D‑3, told employees at Microboard, Inc. on Wednesday that the harrowing experience of the Jan. 6 insurrection, when an angry mob stormed the U.S. Capitol building, underscored the need for bolstered security nationwide.
“I was in the House Chamber that day and we didn’t know what was happening,” DeLauro told the electronics manufacturing company’s 130 employees. “You could hear gunshots, the doors were smashed in, police had their guns drawn and we were told to hit the ground. The Capitol police saved our lives that day.”
DeLauro, during a tour of Microboard’s facility at 36 Cogwheel Lane, said gunshot detection technology that Microboard has been manufacturing over the past several years, is something not only that would benefit her workplace, but for places across the country, including schools.
“This technology would be particularly important for security at the U.S. Capitol,” DeLauro said. “We need to take care of how we secure funding and provide police with the tools and technology they need. We have the opportunity here to effect that.”
Shooter Detection Systems, based in Boston, teamed up with Microboard of Seymour a few years back to develop The Guardian Indoor Active Shooter Detection system, according to Rich Onofrio, Shooter’s managing director and vice president of engineering.
Onofrio said the technology is similar to a smoke alarm, but rather than the device detecting smoke, The Guardian detects gunshots through acoustic and infrared sensing technology.
Within seconds an alarm can help to deploy police to wherever the shots are fired. He said the devices are in use across the country by thousands of schools, universities and police departments.
ShotSpotter, another gunshot detection system, is in use in Bridgeport, Hartford, and New Haven.
Part of the reason why DeLauro paid Microboard a visit was to see how the gunshot detection devices are made, and to bring that information back to Washington in an effort to support and secure federal funding for it.
DeLauro, who chairs the House Appropriations Committee, included language in a supplemental security bill for fiscal year 2022, that includes funding for gunshot detection technology. It passed in the House last week, she said, but not yet in the Senate.
While the technology is manufactured at various facilities across the nation, Microboard President/CEO Nicole Russo said the particular system known as The Guardian, which incorporates both acoustic and infrared detection sensors, is the only one of its kind being made here.
“Whatever we can do to improve technology that not only protects the U.S. Capitol police but police here and around the country, we will,” DeLauro said. “I am excited to see Microboard continue to be a leader on the cutting edge of technology, especially when making a product that meets the needs of the times.”
Microboard, a leading manufacturer of technology for the defense, security, medical and telecommunications sectors, was founded in 1983 by Russo’s father Craig Hoekenga, who passed away in May.
Russo said it was her dad’s mission to not only create cutting edge technology, but to also focus on humanitarian efforts worldwide. The company has been aiding underprivileged people in India, Nigeria and other countries for decades, which DeLauro lauded Russo and the employees for.
“I could not be more proud of your manufacturing side and your humanitarian side, and how you’re helping those who make $1 a day or less, and that is what makes me so proud to represent Microboard in the U.S. Congress,” DeLauro said.
