Latest news with #publicevents
BBC News
26-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Yeovil amphitheatre 'undermined' by £65 fee for use
Town councillors have criticised a council for charging for free public events to be held at a new by Somerset Council, the Triangle in Yeovil opened in January, but has played host to only a limited number of events, with the site's fountain and giant TV screen currently out of town councillors Adrian Wilkes and Tareth Casey have criticised Somerset Council for attempting to charge £64.59 for holding a town crier event, arguing it "completely undermines the very reason the Triangle was built".Somerset Council said it charges a flat rate to all free public events in the town centre and a separate quote was provided for the town crier event. It also said while a switch-on date for the fountain would be confirmed, the TV screen was due to go live on 18 June, reported the Local Democracy Reporting his frustrations on his official Facebook page following a discussion with town council chief executive Amanda Card the day before, Wilkes said: "Despite the investment from central government into our town's Yeovil Refresh project, the 'owner' of our town centre (Somerset Council) is charging Yeovil Town Council to use the Triangle to hold civic events.""Why is Somerset Council charging the people of Yeovil to use our town to hold our civic events, in places paid for by central government?," he questioned. 'Serious concerns' Meanwhile, Casey said he had "raised serious concerns with the leader of Somerset Council" about the lack of use of the Triangle."This space was redeveloped using millions of pounds from the government's Future High Streets Fund, with a clear purpose: to host events, performances, and community gatherings and bring life back into the town centre. Yet despite being officially opened, nothing has happened there."This was public money, invested in a public space, for public benefit. It should be free and accessible for local groups and community events – not caught up in red tape and hidden charges," he added.A Somerset Council spokesperson said it currently charged the flat rate of £64.59 (inclusive of VAT) for the hire of their open spaces."This administration fee helps to cover officer time spent on issuing the permit and supporting the event," they said.
Globe and Mail
21-05-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
PSY Visor Cam by SoulMatcher: Smarter Surveillance with a Psychological Edge
Security at public events has become a pressing issue around the world. At the same time, strict data privacy laws limit the use of many traditional surveillance systems. That's where PSY Visor Cam from SoulMatcher comes in — a next-generation security solution that blends artificial intelligence with psychological insights. This is a system of video cameras that cover all visitors to the event and detect signs of aggression before the conflict. SoulMatcher is a psychology-based dating app that has effectively implemented AI in its work. PSY Visor Cam uses strategically placed cameras to monitor crowd behavior. It doesn't collect unnecessary personal data — only what's essential for ensuring safety. The system analyzes facial expressions, body language, and subtle psychological cues using advanced AI algorithms. When potential threats are detected, it alerts on-site security teams in real time, giving them the opportunity to intervene early and de-escalate situations. Unlike humans, AI doesn't get tired or distracted. This makes the PSY Vision Cam an ideal assistant for security personnel. The mere presence of such a system can act as a deterrent — people are less likely to act aggressively if they know they're being monitored for warning signs. 'PSY Visor Camv 1.0 can become an innovative tool to protect not only event attendees, but also staff, and even potential offenders themselves from harm. The demand for intelligent, ethical security solutions is high, but existing intelligent security systems are not yet able to fully meet it'. — Alexander Pershikov, Co-Founder of SoulMatcher SoulMatcher's current focus is on rigorously testing PSY Visor Cam to validate its effectiveness, scientific credibility, legal compliance, and ethical integrity. The ultimate goal is to make it a trusted ally in public safety — not a source of fear or surveillance overreach. The system is already being tested at concerts and nightclubs. The next step is scaling it up for larger venues, including stadiums and sports arenas. PSY Visor Cam can integrate seamlessly with existing CCTV infrastructure, making it easier for public venues to adopt without major upgrades. With its unique combination of AI and behavioral psychology, PSY Visor Cam has the potential to become a truly innovative global solution — customizable for different countries, cultures, and event types. Media Contact Company Name: SoulMatcher Contact Person: Anastasia Maisuradze Email: Send Email Country: United Kingdom Website:
CBC
17-05-2025
- CBC
Vancouver mayor vows better festival security after deadly car-ramming
While an early safety report into April's deadly car-ramming incident found no gaps or oversights, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is promising new tools to keep people safe at public events. 11 people died when a man rammed his vehicle into the crowd at the Lapu Lapu festival.
