December 9, 2011 by Austin Cushing.

“Law enforcement officials across the Seacoast have a message for anyone thinking about drinking (or drugging) and driving on area roads this holiday season: Don’t!

Representatives from the Seabrook, Hampton Falls, Hampton, Rye and Portsmouth police departments, along with members of the state police and Rockingham County Sheriff’s Department announced on Wednesday this year’s holiday initiative aimed at keeping impaired drivers off the roads. Officers from the North Hampton Police Department will also take part in the program.”

Read more here

With police taking an aggressive stance towards drunk driving this holiday, we at Anchortex Corporation encourage you to enjoy your holiday season responsibly. We salute the men and women of law enforcement who keep our roads safe throughout the holiday season.

Posted in Law Enforcement, Police and Security | No Comments »

October 8, 2011 by Austin Cushing.

Even the most secure of maximum security prisons and supermax prisons are still required to provide some basic supplies to prisoners. However, this must be done with consideration for the use of these items in storing contraband or being crafted into weapons. Prison systems solve this problem with a variety of security toiletries that are designed for this purpose.

Toothbrushes are a common source of improvised weaponry within prison culture; the long handled versions can either be sharpened down for use as a stabbing weapon or can have a razor blade attached to the body to create an improvised knife. To help lower the usability of these common items as weapons, prisons use security brushes with thumbprint handles - including pre-pasted thumbprint toothbrushes for facilities that do not want to distribute toothpaste tubes - or finger toothbrushes that fit over the tip of the finger and are almost impossible to turn into weapons.

Another common source of improvised weaponry in prisons is the disposable razor; inmates need to shave, but normal disposable razors have handles that can be sharpened down, and the blade itself can be extracted for use as a weapon component. Prisons have solved this problem with the advent of security razors, with a minimum of sharpenable plastic content, blades designed to break apart if tampered with, and a flexible, thin handle with no hidden cavities for storing contraband and practically no utility as a weapon component.

Another common source of problems in a correctional facility is the fact that any container can be used to conceal contraband from officers. Security toiletries take this into account by providing solutions for minimum concealment - with clear 4 oz bottles of all-in-one shampoo/body wash/shave gel, or clear 1/3 oz packets for single-use distribution.

The use of security toiletries in correctional facilities, including detention centers, federal prisons, and state prisons, helps protect the lives of correctional officers and of inmates, allowing prisons to maintain standards of human decency in the safest possible manner for all concerned. These products, as well as related products for lower-security prisons, institutional usage, and hospitality usage, and other institutional and correctional supplies, are available for purchase by the case from Anchortex Corporation and American Detention Supplies. Quantity quotes are available for large orders.

Posted in Law Enforcement, Correctional, Police and Security, American Detention Supplies | No Comments »

September 25, 2011 by Austin Cushing.

Members of law enforcement know that no matter how calm a suspect may seem, once their back is turned, they may become a threat at any time. Belligerent drunks, hardened criminals, gang members, and even ordinary citizens may turn into lethal threats while a policeman’s back is turned. Often, the only thing standing between them and danger while driving is a well-made vehicle partition.

With this in mind, Anchortex Corporation supplies Setina vehicle partitions to law enforcement and security customers throughout the United States, as well as other security-conscious passenger transit agencies. For most agencies, a stationary vehicle partition is appropriate, with a polycarbonate transparent plate used for maximum safety and protection, or a partial or full metal diamond lattice screen when communication or ventilation needs must be met. Partitions are also available with lockable sliding window sections for ease of communication, or fold-down partitions for situations where a partition is not always needed. There are also specialized K-9 partitions for vehicles transporting canine officers.

Partitions are available for most cars, trucks, sport utility vehicles, and vans, as well as other vehicle equipment for police and security vehicles such as lightbars, bumpers, weapon storage systems, and window barriers. Contact our sales department for more information and to get a quote for your personal vehicle, department, or organization.

Posted in Law Enforcement, Correctional, Police and Security, American Detention Supplies | No Comments »

August 5, 2011 by Austin Cushing.

If you’re familiar with the RBR Tactical line, you may have been surprised when the company, known for making a popular series of ballistic helmets and tactical armor used by many government agencies at the municipal, state, and federal level, closed their doors for business several months ago. We have good news, though - RBR is back, under the new brand name RBR North America, and has opened with several new advantages.

First and foremost, if you’ve ever worn an RBR Tactical helmet, you probably only had one significant complaint against it - the mesh liner it came with was flimsy, wasn’t made in the United States, and was usually quickly torn out and replaced before it ever saw service. RBR North America has taken steps to ensure you’ll never have to rip out a liner again by using Team Wendy quality liners made in the United States and approved for use by the US Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and National Guard on all tactical helmets from this point onward. This does nudge the price up slightly, but the customization quality of the padding now included is incredible - a single Large-size helmet can fit all but the very smallest or very largest of heads, because the Team Wendy padding included allows you to customize the helmet to fit your head snugly without feeling crammed into place or dangerously loose.

Second, RBR armor carriers are undergoing redesigns and improvements that take consumer and dealer suggestions into consideration. While the basic concealable or exterior carriers are available immediately (at extremely reasonable prices), the new carrier designs will be announced shortly. Other new designs available include the ballistic flotation vest - providing bullet-stopping power to naval customs officials, search crews, and boarding crews without endangering their lives should they fall into the water.

Anchortex Corporation welcomes back the RBR line of ballistic protection products and looks forward to seeing more good things from it in the future.

Posted in Law Enforcement, Body Armor, Police and Security, Military, Alerts | No Comments »

July 8, 2011 by Austin Cushing.

Law enforcement officers executing a search warrant face unique challenges. In most cases, they are not welcome and must gain forcible entry as quickly as possible before vital evidence can be destroyed or disposed of. For this reason, law enforcement officers engaged in dynamic entry activities typically use tools meant specifically to break down, cut
through, or pry apart obstacles that might impede them from conducting a thorough search. Thus, tactical entry kits are a common sight among search teams when resistance is expected.

A good, sturdy pair of bolt cutters are a vital asset to a tactical entry team. Padlocks, security chains, barbed wire, and chain link fences are often used to keep people out, but a sturdy pair of bolt cutters will let police search teams in. The best models include heat treated, hardened cutting edges to give them the best chance against sturdy bolts, and are designed specifically to not conduct electricity so that even electrified fences can be dismantled with relative ease.

Breaking down doors and other obstacles, or breaking into secured areas, is another common impediment to searching an area thoroughly. In these situations, the best tactical tool for quick entry is a combination of two separate tools - an axe head for cutting and a sledge head for smashing - into a single tool called a maul. The resulting tool is light enough to be easily carried, but tough enough to break open most obstacles.

Rounding out the tactical tool set, a good prybar or Hallagan tool allows the tactical entry specialist to breach a door or padlock that cannot or should not be broken or cut. These tools can be safely wedged or hammered into position, then pulled or hammered to pry apart or break open locked or jammed doors, sealed containers, and other obstructions with relative ease. They are preferably non-sparking and non-conductive so as to be usable in areas where a fire or electrical hazard exists.

A tactical backpack kit combines these three tools into a single unit that can be worn on the back, where the tools are easily accessible when needed but do not occupy the hands when idle. They allow search operations to be carried out efficiently and quickly, reducing the risk to officers and civilians. Every search team should have at least one tactical backpack kit ready to go when dynamic entry is authorized.

Posted in Law Enforcement, Correctional, Police and Security, American Detention Supplies, Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

May 4, 2011 by Austin Cushing.

Someone recently asked me a question about our Humane Restraint items - how humane can a restraint really be? To answer that, you have to understand more about how restraint systems such as straitjackets, restraint chairs, and bed restraints are used.

First and foremost, physical restraints are used to ensure the safety of the people responsible for handling a potentially aggressive or agitated person, and the safety of the person themselves to prevent undue suffering or self-harm. As such, institutions, hospitals, and correctional facilities look for ways to restrain without inflicting harm or undue stress, while maintaining the level of safety and security needed. Restraints used for this purpose are made of heavy-duty leather, easy-care polyurethane, or compact nylon, providing a firm restraint that resists wear and tear while being far more comfortable to wear than metal.

One example of the use of humane restraint systems can be seen in hospitals and psychiatric institutions. In addition to lightweight gait belts, lap belts, and safety belts meant purely to prevent falls, buckling and locking restraints are available to accommodate aggressive patients. These can readily be combined with a restraint bed to provide an ideal platform for securing an individual in comfort and safety. Medical applications may require a secured position to prevent further injury after an accident or during care. For this purpose, non-locking restraints with control straps are used to secure an individual in place safely, often with interior foam padding or disposable fleece liners to provide additional comfort while maintaining a therapeutic state for recovery and safe transport. In this way, emergency medical personnel or hospitals can safely transport an individual without creating movement that may agitate or reopen existing injuries.

Police officers, jails, correctional facilities, and courthouses make use of humane restraint systems as well. While handcuffs are a common restraint mechanism, other restraint options are available. Locking restraints made of leather or polyurethane allow a prisoner to be secured in position in such a way as to minimize self-injury. For example, nylon control straps are used to secure the legs of a violent prisoner for transport, reducing squad car damage and personal injuries by restricting leg movement. Ambulatory restraint systems allow a prisoner’s hands and feet to be secured in a safe position to control movement without requiring behind-the-back cuffing that can result in long-term physical harm. Locking restraints made of leather or polyurethane allow a prisoner to be secured in position in such a way as to minimize self-injury. Transport belts are used with handcuffs to provide greater control over a detained subject, or with the included side cuffs to restrain an individual while keeping their hands separated for greater safety. Emergency restraint chairs provide a locking solution to secure aggressive or dangerous prisoners for transport in such a way as to prevent harm to themselves or others. Leg braces and locking weights allow for a discreet way to restrict the movement of would-be flight hazards during transport outside of a correctional facility, such as during a trial or prisoner transfer.

All of these solutions are designed to enhance the comfort of the restrained individual while still protecting the safety of those around them. For situations where confinement or restriction of movement is required either for medical or security reasons, our Humane Restraint products do exactly what they say - they restrain or restrict an individual from harming others or themselves without inflicting undue suffering or discomfort, and that is why I feel they are truly humane restraints.

– Austin Cushing
Webmaster, Anchortex Corporation

Posted in Medical, Law Enforcement, Correctional, Police and Security, Articles | 1 Comment »

March 18, 2011 by Austin Cushing.

Whether you’re serving active duty on the battlefield, walking a patrol on the streets, doing some hunting in the wilderness, or shooting on the competition circuit, your weapon of choice must be cared for and maintained frequently to ensure that it maintains its reliability and accuracy. As such, a cleaning kit - whether personally assembled or bought complete - is a vital part of one’s loadout kit, bug out bag, or personal care supplies. Otis Technology manufactures pre-assembled weapon cleaning kits for a variety of calibers and weapon types, such as their 9mm-.45 cal pistol/submachine gun cleaning kit, their 12 guage combat shotgun cleaning kit, and their 7.62mm rifle cleaning kit, all of which contain a Gerber Military Tool, optics cleaning gear, rods and swabs to clean the chamber and bore, obstruction removers to remove stuck cases and other bore obstructions, and scrapers, picks, and brushes for maintaining slide action and other crucial components. Each is packaged in a lightweight case with ALICE and MOLLE clips for ease of attachment to military equipment.

For those interested in supplementing their own cleaning kits or stockpiling replacement supplies at their base of operations, Atlanco Tru-Spec delivers with a variety of GI-spec gun cleaning accessories for proper firearm care. The 5.56 mm / .223 Remington round has served our nation’s military as well as sportsmen and huntsmen for decades, and is one of the most common rounds available; as such a bore brush, chamber brush, cleaning patches, or better, a complete cleaning kit should be a component of any owner’s arsenal.

Posted in Law Enforcement, Military, American Outdoor Gear, Articles | 1 Comment »

March 8, 2011 by Austin Cushing.

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If you’ve been traveling through a high-security area, you’ve likely seen military personnel, bomb squads, and security checkpoints using metal detectors and X-ray scanners, as well as something you may not recognize - a trace detector, a handheld device that can detect explosive compounds so that they can be neutralized before they can kill hundreds or thousands of people. But how does it work? To answer that question, we’re going to be taking a close look at the Scintrex E3500, the most commonly seen type of trace detection unit available on the market today.

The Scintrex E3500 is manufactured by Scintrex, the leading manufacturer of explosives and contraband detectors worldwide and a division of Control Screening, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of security checkpoint and detection equipment overall, and is remarkably easy to use. It uses Luminol Chemilux chemiluminescence technology to detect military, commercial, and homemade explosives compounds, whether liquid or powdered, while screening out weather and environmental interferences to sharply reduce the possibility of false positives or false negatives. You don’t need to be a forensics expert to operate the E3500 - once you’ve calibrated the device, you can simply press the button to perform a scan, with results reported to you in seconds on the unit’s LCD screen, with visible alerts if a hazard is detected. The device scans both by measuring vapors taken in through the
front of the unit, and by examining particulates ’swiped’ inside, allowing flexible scanning options depending on security needs.

Because the Scintrex E3500 uses Luminol Chemilux instead of radioactive isotopes, basic operation of the device requires no certificates or licenses, and the device manages to be incredibly rugged and self-contained while still maintaining a weight of less than six pounds. This basic change in the way trace detection systems function also sharply increases the accuracy of the unit, reducing false positives from environmental factors while detecting even nanogram traces of explosive compounds. A single battery charge allows the unit to operate for up to six hours uninterrupted, and its consumable components are minimal and typically only need to be replaced on a yearly basis. Furthermore, its durable design and unique sensitivity allows it to resist the effects of hostile environments (exhaust, humidity, rain, sand, aerosols, pollutants, and the like), making it a viable tool for real-world applications as opposed to a high-tech laboratory toy.

The Scintrex E3500 is no bigger or heavier than a housecat, yet it can reliably scan for explosives in luggage, mail, trucks, vehicles, clothing, electronic devices, backpacks, documents, and other containers, or practically anywhere that a swab or air sample can be taken. Its sensitivity and portability makes it, and devices like it, a vital component of security screening by military forces, law enforcement agents, customs officers, bomb squads, government facilities, security checkpoints, hotels, palaces, embassies, power plants, courtrooms, sporting events, and TSA officials at rail stations, airports, and seaports. Airport security might still be a nightmare, but with developments like these, the practical necessity for invasive personal searches will become a thing of the past as soon as reliable scanning technology is commonly adopted.

For more developments in security screening, check out our AUTOClear / Control Screening section or contact our sales department for more information and to request quotes.

Posted in Law Enforcement, Police and Security, Military, Articles | 1 Comment »

December 6, 2010 by Austin Cushing.

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Ask anyone what distinguishes a police patrolman on first glance, and one of the first things that people will answer with is the leather jackets they wear on duty. There are a variety of leather police jackets available, but considered amongst the best are those manufactured by Taylor’s Leatherwear.

Taylor’s Leatherwear is one of the few jacket manufacturers that still makes many of their jackets within the United States, and are the supplier of jackets worn by FedEx pilots, Homeland Security officers, U.S. Customs officials, and Border Patrol officers. Most street-level city, county, and state police officers wear Taylor’s Leatherwear leather jackets on duty.

Manufactured from cowhide or goatskin, these jackets are available in a variety of styles. Zip-out liners provide additional protection from cold weather and high-speed chill. They have styles made specifically to match department specifications, such as the # 4497Z NYPD jacket (with holster available on request), the # 4491Z LAPD/CHP jacket (designed to California Highway Patrol specifications) and the # 4418RZ Atlanta Jacket (with reflective tape and police panels).

Aside from being worn by police officers across the country, they are also worn by commercial pilots as well as the United States Air Force, and have been worn by actors in many movies and television shows. They offer a wide selection of American-made and imported leather jackets for every market and budget, and come with a five-year guarantee of their lasting quality.

Posted in Law Enforcement, Police and Security, Articles | No Comments »