Redmond Reporter, December 20, 2013

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NEWSLINE: 425.867.0353

NEWS | Microsoft aims to name new CEO in early 2014 [3] CRIME ALERT | Redmond Police Blotter [3]

COMMUNITY | Old Fire House Teen Center holds its FRIDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2013 second annual festive Snow Ball [10]

A DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING

County, local community continue their efforts to preserve Red Brick Road SAMANTHA PAK spak@redmond-reporter.com

In 1913, a 1.3-mile stretch of road in unincorporated King County just outside of Redmond was paved with red bricks and the Red Brick Road was born. One hundred years later, that road still exists, and King County officials, along with the local community, have taken steps to ensure that it stays that way for a long time. Recently, King County crews built a turnout with an informational kiosk for visitors to learn more about the Red Brick Road’s history. The road — also known as 196th Avenue Northeast — runs north-south from Northeast Union Hill Road to State Route 202 and the kiosk is located along the north end. In addition to educating passersby about the century-old road, the kiosk was constructed using salvaged bricks that were removed when a roundabout was installed where the road intersects with Northeast Union Hill Road.

Red Brick Road residents Angela Butcher and Tanya Rusak visit the new kiosk. Courtesy of Ned Ahrens/King County

Tom Minichillo, archeologist and cultural resource coordinator for the King County Road Services division, said when they built the roundabout, they needed to get permission to remove the bricks from two entities: the King County Landmarks Commission and the [ more ROAD page 6 ]

Neagle scores in Santa role

Seattle Sounders FC forward Lamar Neagle poses with 1-year-old Emelia Atkinson at the Volume 12 store last Friday night during Redmond Town Center’s Celebrity Santa Night. Proceeds from the photos benefit The Neagle Foundation, which focuses on producing and enhancing extracurricular activities for children, specifically in low-income areas, according to Neagle’s agent, Rich Martin. Some of the programs that Neagle funds with his foundation are America SCORES — Seattle and the Boys and Girls Club in Federal Way and Renton/Skyway. See page 5 for a Volume 12 story. Courtesy of Matt Robb

Amrelitech takes security to the next level with Microsoft’s Kinect

SAMANTHA PAK spak@redmond-reporter.com

While Kinect was originally developed for the Xbox 360 as

an advancement in the gaming industry, there are other possible functions it could be used for, such as keeping people safe. Amreli Technology Solutions (Amrelitech) has done just that. Utilizing the Microsoft Corp. console’s motion-sensing technology and more, the Redmond-based IT services and solutions company has developed a security system that can read human behavior and alert the appropriate authorities

in the case of an emergency if and when needed. With this ability as well as the ability to recognize certain verbal cues, Amrelitech’s Watch N Inform security system can predict if and when a dangerous situation might occur. The idea came from Amrelitech CEO Atul Hirpara, who was prompted after the 2011 bombings in his native home of Mumbai, India. Hirpara thought there

should be a way for technology to detect suspicious behavior and prompt authorities to take action before things escalate. The former Microsoft employee explained that with Watch N Inform, Kinect motion sensors can detect an individual or individuals acting in a threatening or threatened manner — such as holding up a gun or holding their hands up during a stick up — and send an alert to law enforcement

or a private security firm (whichever has been programmed into the system). The sensors can also detect suspicious behavior such as an individual placing a bag or package on the ground and then leaving it. Watch N Inform system will also cue up a video so they can see what is going on inside or outside a building, giving agencies a better idea of what they are about to [ more SECURITY page 6 ]

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Congressman Reichert says it is important to move fast in dangerous situations


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