Smart Community Alarm for Monitoring ATMs and Incidents Related to Citizen Safety

The increasing incidents of ATM-related thefts and security breaches necessitate the implementation of an automated real-time monitoring and response system. This paper presents an IoT-driven smart community alarm system designed to enhance ATM security by integrating multiple sensor-based detection and automated countermeasures. The system employs vibration, gas, and fire sensors to detect unauthorized access, tampering, or hazardous conditions. Upon detecting a security threat such as forced entry or unauthorized access, the system autonomously activates the shutter lockdown mechanism, restricting any further intrusion. In the event of a fire, the system triggers an immediate alert and transmits emergency notifications to the nearest police station, the corresponding financial institution, and individuals within a defined proximity. Furthermore, law enforcement officials can regain access to the ATM premises only after authentication via an RFID-based verification mechanism, ensuring controlled access for forensic investigation and recovery operations. The system architecture is based on an Atmega-32 microcontroller, interfaced with an ESP-32 module for real-time data transmission and alert generation. Experimental validation demonstrates the system’s rapid response time, effective threat mitigation, and reliability in emergency scenarios. This implementation provides a scalable and robust security infrastructure for ATMs, enhancing financial security and public safety through realtime threat containment and automated crisis communication.