US Secret Service Virtualizes Tiny Town

An anonymous reader writes "For the past 40 years, a miniature model environment called 'Tiny Town' has been one of the methods used to teach Secret Service agents and officers how to prepare a site security plan. The model includes different sites — an airport, outdoor stadium, urban rally site and a hotel interior — and uses scaled models of buildings, cars and security assets. With help from the Department of Homeland Security's Science & Technology Directorate, the Secret Service is giving training scenarios a high-tech edge: moving from static tabletop models to virtual kiosks with gaming technology and 3D modeling."

Re:Fixing what ain't broke and learning styles

[GameboyRMH]

The old system wasn't broken why update it?

GET OUT

Re:Fixing what ain't broke and learning styles

[RevWaldo]

The old system was much more sophisticated that tabletop models. Here's a video of a pre-CGI simulation of a terrorist attack:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNV7hKVu-Xg [youtube.com]

.

Re:Fixing what ain't broke and learning styles

[Anonymous Coward]

"Did you see anything?"

"No Lord Helmet, I didn't see you playing with your dolls again!"

"Good!"

WarObama 40K

[not5150]

Secret Service Agent 1 - President Obama will be walking down Ave B surrounded by six agents in standard formation.
Secret Service Agent trainee - Rolls six-sided die. My Terminators will teleport on top of your Suburban and my Imperial Guard will move south on Ave A.
Secret Service Agent 2 - That's impossible.. stick to the rules.
Secret Service Agent 1 - Exactly, we're dealing with reality here. Everyone knows Terminators can't teleport on top of vehicles and your Imperial Guard won't have line of sight to the President.
Secret Service Agent trainee - Takes out a yard stick, lines it up with the President and his figures... I do have line of sight, cry more noob.

future secret service training scenario:

[circletimessquare]

[In a Tiny Town 3D Kiosk, confronted with numerous menacing-looking targets, Edwards shoots a cardboard little girl]
Zed: May I ask why you felt little Tiffany deserved to die?
James Edwards: Well, she was the only one that actually seemed dangerous at the time, sir.
Zed: How'd you come to that conclusion?
James Edwards: Well, first I was gonna pop this guy hanging from the street light, and I realized, y'know, he's just working out. I mean, how would I feel if somebody come runnin' in the gym and bust me in my ass while I'm on the treadmill? Then I saw this snarling beast guy, and I noticed he had a tissue in his hand, and I'm realizing, y'know, he's not snarling, he's sneezing. Y'know, ain't no real threat there. Then I saw little Tiffany. I'm thinking, y'know, eight-year-old white girl, middle of the ghetto, bunch of monsters, this time of night with quantum physics books? She about to start some shit, Zed. She's about eight years old, those books are WAY too advanced for her. If you ask me, I'd say she's up to something. And to be honest, I'd appreciate it if you eased up off my back about it.
[pause]
James Edwards: Or do I owe her an apology?
[pause]
James Edwards: That's a good shot though...