Bayliss Assists Security at RNC
Visual Link Owner
Provides NYPD With Wearable Mobile Computers
By Tim Allen
The
Winchester Star
With the Republican
National Convention winding down tonight, one Winchester
business owner can take heart that no major security
problems have taken place.
Mark Bayliss, owner of Visual Link Inc. in
Winchester, works with the New York Police
Department last week to set up a mobile command
center at Madison Square Garden in Manhattan prior
to the Republican National Convention, which ends
tonight.
(Photo Provided by Mark Bayliss) |
Mark Bayliss, owner of Visual Link Inc. at 2308
Middle Road, is more than just concerned about the
safety of the president and other GOP figures — his
reputation is on the line.
Bayliss spent the latter part of last week equipping
the New York City Police Department with wireless data
equipment that allows instant communications via
miniature computers that can be clipped to a belt.
“I got a call from one of our partner companies that
specializes in software for police, asking if we could
come up there and help set up the mobile command post
inside Madison Square Garden for the Police Department,”
Bayliss said.
Based on what he saw, Bayliss said, Fort Knox has got
nothing on the RNC.
“That’s probably the most secure place in America
right now,” he said. “Probably more secure than some of
the most sensitive buildings in Washington.”
Bayliss said while he did not have to face much
security scrutiny when he arrived prior to the
convention, which began Monday, he had to provide his
name and Social Security number a week in advance for
background checks.
Despite the tight security, Bayliss said the mood was
pleasant.
“Everyone was really nice — even the protesters were
nice,” he said.
Bayliss said he also provided training for a few of
the 400,000 New York police officers, but he was glad to
leave before the mass of people started arriving on
Sunday.
“We literally left at 12:05 a.m. [Sunday], just
before the 250,000 people descended,” he said.
Bayliss is used to dealing with security and
communications projects for large international
organizations and governments, but this was by far the
highest-profile event he has taken part in.
“As far as media attention is concerned, this is the
biggest,” he said.
