A better way to prevent tragedy : Get to know Blue Line Solutions
We caught up with Mark Hutchinson , founder and CEO of Blue Line Solutions , a trail-blazing company focused on saving more lives through a one-of-a-kind blend of photo speed enforcement and compelling public education . As a former police officer , Mark shares the poignant reason he launched BLS , how his company helps police agencies get the job done and what ’ s on the forefront in the industry .
Tell us about Blue Line Solutions . Why did you start your company and what makes it so different ?
My first experience with a traffic fatality was haunting and unforgettable . He was a little boy named Matthew , only 10 years old , unbelted in the back seat – with his father legally drunk up front . When I arrived at the scene , I worked to keep Matthew alive as long as I could – but he died in my arms before the paramedics reached us . I had vivid dreams about Matthew for months . Every detail , over and over . I knew that his death could have been prevented … so I decided to make traffic safety my life ’ s work . Traffic enforcement is the only thing a cop can do that ’ s proactive , the only thing that can stop a death before it happens . That ’ s why I started Blue Line Solutions .
Automated enforcement multiplies manpower , allowing officers to be elsewhere . And it ’ s always there , making a difference , slowing traffic down , making an area safer . But studies confirm that enforcement without education impacts only those stopped by police . There ’ s more we can do . At BLS , we ’ re unique because we combine engaging public information and education ( PI & E ) with enforcement to increase effectiveness by impacting more people .
Technology is a huge player in school-zone safety . What tools do you use to help police agencies ?
We offer TrueBlue , our photo speed enforcement system featuring cutting-edge LIDAR . LIDAR is much more defendable in court than radar – especially in automated enforcement – because it uses a single laser beam to capture speeds of vehicles . Other companies rely on radar , which emits a Doppler beam , records multiple vehicles at once , then attempts to identify and determine the speed of each . With TrueBlue , LIDAR pinpoints the speed of only one vehicle at a time , so we can prove that the vehicle captured was the only vehicle in question .
So how does it work ? Does an agency still have to write and process citations ?
TrueBlue ’ s LIDAR equipment communicates with a camera to capture multiple images of a speeding vehicle and other data , which is then sent to a processing center for review . NLETS immediately returns owner registration , and if it matches the make and model in the photo , the police agency is then notified that a violation is ready for approval . A POST-certified officer reviews the photo and speed , verifies that a speeding violation did in fact occur and approves the violation . ( He / she can choose not to approve or “ spoil ” the infraction .) Once approved , we mail it out as a citation on behalf of the police agency , and we also oversee payment and collection . It ’ s very simple – freeing up officers for more important work .
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“ For us , it ' s not a business … it ' s a passion ,” says BLS founder Mark Hutchinson . “ Together , we will save lives .”
Can you share any success stories that demonstrate how your company helps save more lives every day ?
We recently conducted a TrueBlue speed study in South Fulton , GA , showing an 82 % reduction in speeders in the first 90 days of the program among 10 school zones . Our research also illustrated that 64 % of the reduction occurred during the program ’ s PI & E and warning phase without writing the first citation – reinforcing that this isn ’ t about money ; it ’ s about saving lives . Only 18 % of violations captured in the program ’ s first 90 days were cited . Furthermore , overall traffic count dropped by 25,098 , inferring that people were taking alternative routes to avoid speed detection . All these factors come together to prove that our program creates a safer environment for children .
Elsewhere , a mid-program study in Jefferson , GA , established a 95 % speeding reduction in the elementary school zone and an 86 % reduction in the high school zone . These studies were conducted during the warning phase … before a single ticket was written . Our speed reports are available for review – just ask us .
What ’ s the next big thing in speed enforcement ?
For us , it ’ s combining invaluable automated license plate recognition ( ALPR ) and surveillance with automated speed enforcement . That means that a single camera can serve three purposes : speed enforcement , area surveillance and ALPR . Now we can enforce speeds , capture crimes or events through video management and identify stolen vehicles that pass the camera . This allows police to apprehend wanted individuals , locate Amber Alerts and much more . So we ’ re not just reducing speeds but also providing criminal investigation resources which are normally too expensive for law enforcement – all at zero cost .
From Blue Line Solutions • 3903 Volunteer Dr ., Suite 400 Chattanooga , TN 37416
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