Abstract: The location on an escalator where the handrail reenters the balustrade is provided with an electrical field projector which will establish a limited extent electrical field around the handrail reentry housing. The field is established with a pair of antennae disposed adjacent to the handrail reentry. The antennae are preferably connected to the main AC power source for the escalator, and can be angularly adjusted to focus the field that they project. Shrouds are positioned adjacent to each antenna to confine the lateral extent of the field. An object entering the field will cause a field disturbance which creates a signal setting off an audible alarm. Subsequent stopping of the escalator can ensue if the disturbance is not removed in a predetermined amount of time.