345 Park Ave Shooting: A Security Perspective on Prevention
We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting that occurred in Midtown Manhattan, just a few blocks from our New York City office.
Our thoughts remain with the victims, their families, and everyone impacted by this senseless act of violence.
In moments like this, it is important to lead with empathy. It is also important, once the immediate shock has passed, to ask difficult questions about how similar incidents might be mitigated in the future.
This perspective is not about assigning blame.
It is about learning, improving, and reducing risk wherever possible.
Why a Security Perspective Matters After Tragedy
When violent incidents occur in commercial buildings, the public conversation often focuses on the individual event. From a security standpoint, the broader question is how building design, systems, and procedures influence outcomes during critical moments.
Security cannot eliminate every threat.
However, layered, well-coordinated systems can reduce exposure, slow movement, improve response, and provide occupants with earlier information that may save lives.
Surveillance Coverage Raises Important Questions
A widely circulated security camera image captured part of the incident. What remains unclear is whether additional footage existed from the building lobby, elevator banks, or other floors.
From a security design standpoint, this raises questions around:
Camera quantity and placement
Coverage of transitional spaces such as lobbies and elevator landings
Visibility of vertical movement throughout the building
Surveillance is not just about recording events after the fact. Properly designed systems support real-time awareness, faster decision-making, and coordinated response.
Gaps in coverage can delay understanding during an active situation, when seconds matter most.
Unrestricted Vertical Movement Is a Critical Vulnerability
Reports indicate the shooter was able to reach the 33rd floor without restriction.
In high-rise commercial buildings, vertical access is one of the most critical control points. When elevator systems operate without credential-based restrictions, unauthorized individuals may move freely through a building once inside.
Common preventative measures include:
Speed gates or turnstiles at lobby entrances
Credential-based elevator access
Floor-restricted elevator programming
These controls are designed to limit movement, not disrupt daily operations. When integrated early and configured properly, they create meaningful barriers without creating friction for authorized occupants.
The Role of Mass Notification During Active Incidents
Reports suggest a mass notification system was activated in the adjacent building at 399 Park Avenue, advising occupants to shelter in place. At 345 Park Avenue, communication appeared fragmented, relying on individual company emails rather than a coordinated building-wide alert.
This distinction is critical.
During an active incident, occupants need:
Clear, timely instructions
A trusted, centralized communication source
Updates that evolve as conditions change
Mass notification systems, including text, mobile app, and audible alerts, are designed to deliver that information quickly and consistently.
Without a coordinated system, communication delays can increase confusion and risk.
Security Is a System, Not a Single Measure
No single technology prevents violent incidents. Effective security relies on layered systems that work together.
Based on publicly available information, several enhancements could meaningfully improve safety and response in similar environments.
Comprehensive Surveillance Design
Security cameras should cover:
All building entrances
Lobby and elevator banks
Stairwells and transitional areas
Key access points on tenant floors
High-resolution coverage improves situational awareness and supports faster response during emergencies.
Access Control and Vertical Security
Effective access control includes:
Controlled lobby entry
Credential-based elevator access
Floor-level restrictions where appropriate
These measures reduce unauthorized movement and help contain incidents geographically.
Gun Detection and Real-Time Analytics
When integrated responsibly, gun detection analytics can:
Identify potential threats earlier
Trigger alerts to security teams
Support faster decision-making
Analytics should be paired with clear response protocols to avoid false alarms and confusion.
Trained On-Site Security Personnel
Technology alone is not enough.
Trained security professionals play a vital role in:
Interpreting system alerts
Coordinating response with first responders
Guiding occupants during emergencies
Staffing levels and training should reflect building size, occupancy, and risk profile.
Emergency Protocols and Training
Established protocols only work when people understand them.
Regular training helps occupants and staff:
Recognize alerts
Follow shelter-in-place or evacuation guidance
Respond calmly under stress
Preparedness reduces panic and improves outcomes.
Building-Wide Mass Notification Systems
A centralized mass notification system ensures:
Consistent messaging
Rapid delivery across multiple channels
Clear instructions during evolving situations
This is one of the most effective tools for protecting occupants during emergencies.
Security Planning Must Happen Before a Crisis
One of the hardest truths in security is that many improvements cannot be implemented during an emergency. They must be designed, installed, and tested in advance.
This is why proactive assessment matters.
Security planning should evaluate:
How people move through a building
Where natural choke points exist
How systems perform under stress
How information is shared during emergencies
These considerations shape outcomes long before an incident occurs.
A Measured Approach to Prevention
It is important to acknowledge that no security system can guarantee complete prevention of violent acts.
However, thoughtful design, layered systems, and coordinated response capabilities can:
Reduce exposure
Slow unauthorized movement
Improve communication
Support faster emergency response
These steps do not eliminate risk, but they meaningfully improve safety.
How Connextivity Approaches Security Design
At Connextivity, security is approached as a system, not a product.
That means:
Assessing real-world use, not assumptions
Designing layered solutions that work together
Aligning technology, people, and procedures
Supporting long-term resilience, not short-term fixes
Every building is different. Security planning should reflect that reality.
Final Thought: Learning Without Sensationalizing
Tragedies like this are deeply personal for those affected and sobering for the broader community.
Discussing prevention is not about hindsight criticism. It is about responsibility. Responsibility to learn, improve, and reduce risk where possible.
Security planning is most effective when it is proactive, coordinated, and grounded in real-world use.
Start the Conversation With Care
If your organization is evaluating building security, access control, or emergency preparedness, the first step is understanding where gaps may exist.
Thoughtful assessment and planning can help ensure systems are designed to support people when it matters most.
Security is not about fear.
It is about preparedness, clarity, and care.
Contact us to discuss security assessment, system design, and preparedness planning for your building.