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New security tech at the Mall of America
MOA said new facial recognition technology will help identify persons who may be a threat, those identified by law enforcement and missing people.
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — The largest mall in America is rolling out new, cutting-edge technology to help with mall security.
Advanced facial recognition technology is now part of the security system at the Mall of America. According to a press release, MOA said the facial recognition would be used to locate a person of interest (POI).
A person of interest, according to the mall, is someone currently trespassing, those who may pose a threat, people identified by law enforcement or anyone who is missing or may be in danger.
The technology works by matching photos uploaded into the system. MOA said the system only searches for matches to PIO photos and if the technology doesn’t record a match no data is stored. The tech doesn’t track or keep any information on non-PIOs, the mall said.
MOA said the software system issues an alert if there is a match and the security team then conducts a thorough investigation, including a “traditional” facial recognition check with up to three layers of human visual review. Security team members have been extensively trained by an internationally recognized program, the Mall of America said.
“Our security team prides itself on keeping everyone who walks through our doors safe so we can provide the best possible guest experience,” said Will Bernhjelm, Vice President of Security at Mall of America in a statement to media. “At 5.6 million square feet, our officers cannot be everywhere at once.”
“Utilizing this cutting-edge technology will allow us to more quickly do what we are already doing: identifying individuals of interest and keeping Mall of America and its guests safe,” he added. “We take safety very seriously and we are continually evolving our strategies to enhance our security efforts.”
Public opinion of facial recognition technology has not all been positive. In June 2023, a man sued Bloomington Police and Hennepin County after he was wrongly arrested and charged with a crime that occurred at MOA that he didn’t commit.
The lawsuit claimed that Hennepin County officials used facial recognition technology to ID and arrest the wrong man.
Facial recognition company Corsight was selected by MOA and the mall said the technology was tested by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and in testing by the DHS, the algorithm correctly identified individuals 99.3% of the time.
Security concerns have been raised in the past at the Mall of America and following a fatal shooting in 2022, the mall added metal detectors and more security officers.
RELATED: MOA now using gun-detecting dogs
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ST PAUL, Minn. — Investigators are trying to find out what led up to a 14-year-old boy being shot in St. Paul on Saturday.
Authorities told KARE 11 officers were called to the 1900 block of Wilson Avenue just before 12:30 p.m. There they found the teen with a gunshot wound.
The teen was taken to Regions Hospital with injuries officials described as “non-life-threatening.”
No one has been arrested yet, police said, and the investigation is ongoing.
Kendama is a traditional Japanese skill toy consisting of a handle (ken), a pair of cups (sarado), and a ball (tama) that are all connected by a string.
PLYMOUTH, Minn. — Hundreds of people from around the world are in Minnesota this weekend to compete in North America’s largest kendama tournament.
Kendama is a traditional Japanese skill toy consisting of a handle (ken), a pair of cups (sarado), and a ball (tama) that are all connected by a string.
The North American Kendama Open (NAKO) is Nov. 15 -17 at the Crowne Plaza Minneapolis West Hotel in Plymouth. It’s become popular in part due to a Minneapolis-based company, Sweets Kendamas, and the company’s owner, Matt “Sweets” Jorgenson.
Sweets Kendamas hosts the nation’s largest kendama competitions and sells the toys at Target stores nationwide.
In partnership with the nonprofit Mindfulness Through Play, it also operates 12 kendama clubs at afterschool programs across the Twin Cities.
Besides the competition, NAKO will feature music, merchandise, workshops, video premiers and an award show.
Tickets are $60 for the weekend or $25/day.
Taste the flavors of fall at this popular Minneapolis-St. Paul restaurant.
ST PAUL, Minn. — Celebrate the change in the seasons with a delicious meal off the new menu at The Buttered Tin.
James Beard-recognized chef Alicia Hinze offers breakfast, lunch and sweet treats at locations in St. Paul and Northeast Minneapolis. The new fall menu centers around local harvest and has vegetarian, plant-based and gluten friendly options.
Some of the new items are the Hot Honey Apple French Toast, Big Ol’ Bennie, TBT Hash with salmon filet, Portobello Melt and Jerk Shrimp Tacos.
The St. Paul restaurant is open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Northeast Minneapolis location is open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m..
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