If you have ever been an inquisitive passer-by or "rubbernecker" of an accident or crime scene, you know all too well of the potential safety hazards it can create.
Local Bradenton-based company
Stop Rubberneccking has developed a portable barrier system to prevent others from seeing what's going on at the accident scene and giving responding officers an added layer of safety.
The company is expanding nationally and internationally, adding distributors, manufacturing and sales contractors.
"I had an inclination to invent something that I felt was necessary to keep people from rubbernecking at accident scenes. There would be an accident, and on the other side of the street, people would stop, stare and cause additional accidents," says President Carl Cannova.
Cannova, a retired president and CEO for
Sysco Food Services of West Coast Florida, began to design and develop a prototype for the system in 2011 while working with
Ro Brady, a local design company in Sarasota. The company went live in 2012 by incorporating and receiving patents, and by 2013 they were distributing and selling units of the SRN1000.
The SRN1000 is a portable barrier system that protects victims of accidents and their families from prying eyes, keeps officers safe while working accidents, and hides traumatic scenes from onlookers while also preventing rubbernecking. The screen is meant for use of law enforcement officers and has even been used by coroners and investigators who rely on the safety of the screen as well as the ability to protect from possible contamination and interruption to investigations. The system adjusts to 6 feet high by 12 feet wide and is expandable by attaching other SRN1000 systems.
Since February 2013, the company has sold more than 100 units throughout the U.S., and is now increasing national market penetration with new law enforcement clients throughout Washington, Arizona, Texas, Nevada and Kansas.
"We are thrilled to have the support of not only law enforcement agencies locally, but now also across the country. There’s so much opportunity in the U.S. Everything is manufactured here, shipped and assembled in Bradenton," says Cannova.
Stop Rubbernecking is also reaching out to markets in Europe and Bermuda.
As the company continues to grow, the need for distributors to handle the products has increased. The firm’s long-term growth plan includes the addition of manufacturing, administration and sales employess in addition to warehousing space.
For more information on products or career opportunities,
visit Stop Rubbernecking online.
Writer: Kaye Brown
Source: Carl Cannova, Stop Rubbernecking
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