Can You Identify Your Own Mother?

Posted on April 24, 2012 by watchd57

 

   Have you ever walked into a store that had a monitor showing your picture as you walked into the store? Next time you do, really look at the picture, would anyone really be able to tell that is a picture of you? Is it identifiable? Likely it is not. Many times the monitor will show the whole entrance and you are so tiny that there is no possible way that anyone could identify it is you. But you see this all the time on the news, someone robs a store and the only evidence is a grainy photo of someone entering the store. Can you tell if it is a man or a woman? Can you tell what this photo is showing? Scroll down the link to Jan 10, 2012.

It is so blurry that it is hard to tell that this is a DEER that came through the front door. Using the right camera with the right lens in the right position would have given an amazing video of this animal crashing through the front of the store.

Using a standard security camera of around 540 TV Lines, you can obtain an identifiable image of covering only about 100 square feet. That is why when you enter a bank, you will almost always see one camera per teller and a large number of other cameras placed throughout. Once you try to cover a larger area, you greatly reduce the chance of getting an identifiable image. If you don’t have a decent ID image, it will be very difficult for the police to arrest and or prosecute the suspect.

It is important to note that the use of megapixel cameras vastly increases the size of the area that you can obtain an identifiable image in.  However the basic two rules still apply: 

1. The smaller the area your camera monitors the better the image will be.

2. Cameras must still be positioned to obtain proper face or profile images.

Another major problem that affects security cameras at the front of a store is the lighting, especially the sunlight that is coming through the front windows. This lighting can cause your interior image to be mostly blacked out while the exterior image is relatively clear. The only thing you see is a picture of a blacked out person with bright white behind them. In this image you can see the problem is the far right photo but the problem is easily resolved with a camera that has Back Light Compensation (BLC) or Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) but preferably both. Cameras with these features are widely available but are slightly more expensive than ones without it. However, the vastly improved result justifies the price difference.  Whether you are providing the image to the police or just providing it to your staff to watch out for a specific person, you will need to have a photo that is clearly identifiable.

Another major problem that hinders ID images is baseball caps and hoodies. Check out this photo of a man suspected of peeping in a women’s washroom. His baseball cap stops the camera from getting a good shot of his face and therefore makes it very hard to get a firm ID on him. Hoodies pose the same problem. You cannot help what people wear into your establishment but you can place your cameras low down on the wall to get as much of their face as possible. We recommend getting these ID images as people enter or exit your business as everyone has to use these doors.

One of the single most important parts of your security camera system is having at least one identifiable photo of everyone who enters your establishment. Positioning, Lighting Camera Quality and even clothing can all hinder getting excellent identification pictures but if you do your best to address these factors, your business will be better protected because of it.   

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Detering Employee Theft

Posted on March 22, 2012 by watchd57

Business owners want to trust their employees and believe that those employees are doing what is best for them and their company. The unfortunate thing is that this trust makes it easier for employees to steal. Stealing is not just as obvious as theft of cash from a cash register. It an take place in many forms from cash to product and even time.

Employee theft has been reported  as one of the fastest growing crimes in America where half of all product lost to theft is stolen by employees and a more shocking statistic is that 30% of all business bankruptcies are a result of employee theft. Statistics are similar in Canada. One study done by the Retail Council of Canada in 2008 actually found that 87% of small and medium sized businesses experienced some sort of theft and nearly 50 % of their theft was perpetrated by their employees.

It is important for business owners to know how their employees could be stealing in order to prevent it from happening and /or catch it when it does. One of the most tempting areas where theft occurs is around the cash register. It can be an employee taking money directly from the cash drawer high value items located behind or near the till. Employees steal when they think there is little chance of them being caught. Something as simple as putting a security camera on the till can deter this sort of theft. But in order to catch the theft, the correct placement of the camera is key. The camera will have to clearly see the theft taking place, so the camera will need to be high resolution or better yet megapixel with a fairly narrow field of view.  We have installed megapixel cameras of only two megapixels and been able to monitor the clerk, the customer and read the denominations on the bills. 

An excellent suggestion is to physically secure the till drawers so that it cannot be pushed out of sight of the camera for example under the counter.

Advanced technology has made it easier for retailers to become aware of oddities in their daily transactions. I3 International has developed software that will integrate with POS systems to overlay the details of each transaction onto the video of the till.  This software allows retailers to produce exception based reports which can for example see quickly if one teller is consistently hitting “No Sale”. Each “No Sale” comes up on a list and the business owner can click on each transaction and be taken directly to the video of the “No Sale”.  You can even compare types of transactions between locations and staff. You could for example quickly see that a particular location had more voids than other locations.  A closer check can show you who in the store had the most voids and you can then easily review the video of the voids.  Maybe it’s simply a training issue but it could also be theft.

Another common practice among employees is “sweet hearting”. This is where their friends come and do buy something however the clerk does not ring in every item or gives the customer something for free. Because this also takes place at the till the same camera positioning would be effective and combining it with POS integration would be even better. For example a retailer could search the amount small cokes sold in one day and easily click on the video to make sure the customer received a small and not a large.

Employees can also cost their employers a lot of money by stealing time. This can encompass things like showing up late or leaving early. In workplaces that have punch cards, “buddy punching” may occur where another employee punches their time card along with their friend’s time card essentially saying the friend was working for longer than they really were. Cameras could also be placed to monitor the punch clock area to prevent “buddy punching”. Security cameras at the entrance and exits would both increase your security and monitor the time employees are on-site. With correct camera placement you could also monitor anything going out the door. We have had situations where employees put product in garbage bags and then take the bag out to their vehicles.  A camera monitoring the outside garbage area can put a stop to this practice.

Employers need to protect their profits and preventing and catching employee theft will help keep those profits safe. When done correctly, installing security cameras can be an investment that a company can’t survive without.

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Protecting BC Employees – WCB Changes Requirements

Posted on March 7, 2012 by watchd57

 

Grant’s Law came into effect in early 2008 to protect late night workers. Recently Worksafe BC has announced changes to the law that many feel “water-down” the safety for workers. As of April 15th, 2012 Employers of Late Night workers will have another option to provide a safe working environment for their night staff. In short the previous two options were : (1) They were to have 2 staff working at all times during the night shift or (2) They were to provide a physical barrier and locked doors between the public and the retail employees. The third option which is to come into effect shortly is (3) to allow employers the option to install security cameras.

This third option has recently been heavily criticized for not providing enough worker protection. Just saying that a store with late-night workers can use security cameras as a safety precaution in replacement of having another employee on site is inadequate. In the Vancouver Sun’s article B.C. late-night workers imperiled as safety rules weakened , they quote B.C. Federation of Labour Jim Sinclair “Your picture will be taken if you are being robbed or stabbed. This isn’t a safety precaution. This isn’t about safety of workers.” In fact many store owners do install security cameras for the safety of their employees but unfortunately with the security camera market being flooded with cheap, poor quality cameras and the attitude than “anyone can install a security camera”, the safety of workers will be at risk if Worksafe BC does not input a strict guideline for the type of camera systems that need to be installed.

Many business owners do not realize that there are vast differences in the types of security camera systems on the market and if Worksafe BC is going to amend Grant’s Law, they need to go further than just saying a camera must be installed on-site. A cheap system bought online or at Costco that a store owner installs themselves will do little to provide any sort of protection or deterrence for robbery, assault or shoplifting. With these types of systems the cameras are usually low resolution and placed in poor positions which result in images that are unlikely to identify anyone.

But there are systems available that provide clearly identifiable images of people as they enter the store as well have them monitored off-site so the employee knows that there is always someone available to watch them if and when they need them. We call this Intelligent Off-Site Video Audio Monitoring. With the simple press of a button, a live person can come over the speaker and announce that they are doing a security check and will be monitoring the store and checking all cameras. Or if a store owner requests, the monitoring company can do a check at regular intervals without announcing it on a live speaker.

Currently Worksafe BC talks about late night workers having a “Panic Button” that pages the owner or another worker to let them know they need to come to the store. This type of panic button wastes valuable time when a worker may actually be in trouble. The type of panic button we recommend is one that connects directly to a person who is monitoring the cameras. This alerts them that there is a problem and they can talk directly to whoever is in the store and notify them that the police have been called and are on their way. With the notification that police are on their way, the perpetrators are more likely to leave without causing any more damage or resorting to violence. It could be argued that this set-up could be even more effective than having another employee on site as authorities are contacted immediately. There are any number of circumstances that can be set-up to notify the monitoring station that there is a problem and it doesn’t even have to be triggered by the employee. It could be set-up to monitor anytime the door to the store is opened from 10:00pm to 6:00am or the outside cameras could be set up to alert the monitoring station if a person has been loitering for longer than 5 minutes.

This intelligent monitoring security camera system is also cheaper than hiring a second staff member, more practical than putting up a barrier and can ultimately provide better safety for the late night workers. So if done right, WCB’s 3rd Option in Grant’s Law CAN provide improved safety for workers.

 

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Security Cameras Discourage Shoplifting When Used Correctly

Posted on December 22, 2011 by watchd57

Shoplifting for Christmas Gifts? !!

A closed circuit television and digital video recording system – CCTV & DVR, when designed and installed properly can help prevent shoplifting and other crime at your location, especially at holiday time when stores are jammed full of frenzied people.

During the Christmas and New Year celebration season in BC’s Lower Mainland, not only are there more customers in retail locations, many store shelves are stocked with a wide variety of new electronic gear, a lure for not only professional thieves, but also people who never, or only very rarely steal.

Unfortunately, due to the recession, product shrinkage is increasing at all times of the year. Desperate people do desperate things, and shoplifting is high on the list.

Statistics reveal that unless you are a professional thief, most people do not plan to shoplift. Many times, when an opportunity presents itself shoplifters act spontaneously, especially when they do NOT see an active security system, or when they see a weak security camera setup they think they can easily beat.

It’s also important to note that selling stolen property in cities like Vancouver, Surrey, and Richmond has grown easier due to internet sites like Craigslist. It’s relatively easy today to place an ad on a site like Kijiji, or even one of the free boards managed by community newspapers and move goods quickly. All these sites make an effort to prevent stolen property from being posted, but it is an overwhelming task.

New technology also abounds in the security camera systems field, which makes it even harder to choose the right hardware and configuration. Retailers in British Columbia are overloaded with options, but many choices unfortunately will not deliver an acceptable ROI. The types of security camera equipment and installations are endless, from IP, IR, covert, vandal proof, domed, high mount, low mount, wireless, video analytics, and the list goes on and on. Knowing what to purchase and then how to properly install a security camera system becomes more complex every day.

The days of the ONE or TWO camera system are over.

Retailers who rely on only one camera at each register or main door delude themselves into thinking they are protected. Granted, having a camera and DVR setup capturing an obvious position does intimidate shoplifters when they know they are being watched, but what really matters is to record them in the act of concealing your merchandise and leaving the store. One camera can’t do this for you, even at a small location.

Well placed, quality CCTV and DVR security systems spread cameras strategically throughout your location and capture video of what looks like a customer innocently picking up an item, maybe walking around with it for a while, but then they conceal it before they leave your premises. The only way to capture criminal activity is to place cameras in a variety of key locations and also at the right height to clearly capture suspicious activity. It is a balancing act though – too few cameras and you miss the theft, and too many and you overload your system.

Many shoplifters also wear hoodies or baseball caps to shield their faces, so getting your security camera lens down low is the only way to capture an image that will be acceptable in court. If you can’t clearly see the perpetrator’s face, the chance of getting a conviction is considerably reduced.

Sometimes you need to let potential thieves know their actions are being captured, and at other times you need to be more covert. Hidden cameras, or even cameras disguised as common objects are effective in capturing a crime that would be impossible to witness firsthand by you or your staff.

A sure way to give a thief the confidence they need to rob or shoplift from you is to install a poor quality system, and then also include a monitor they can see. You know the type, they’re usually black and white and fuzzy. A thief takes one glance at the monitor and realises immediately that even if your camera catches him in the act, there is little chance anyone, even his mother, will be able to recognize, let alone decisively identify him.

A poorly designed and installed security camera / DVR system is like
putting up an electronic billboard that says, “FREE MERCHANDISE!”

On the other hand, a well designed and installed security camera and recording systems pays for itself many times over, not only in court convictions and the return of stolen goods, but also, when a criminal knows the odds of getting caught are too great at your location . . . they go next door to your neighbour.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

A good CCTV & DVR system can increase profit
and improve your competitive advantage.

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Crime Increasing in Vancouver

Posted on November 25, 2011 by watchd57

 

The following paragraph is an excerpt from the official Vancouver City website.

“In recent years, Federal, Provincial and Municipal governments have been unable to provide sufficient funds for additional staffing and equipment for the various policing organizations to curb a disproportionately increased crime rate. The predominant factor creating this strain on resources has been a significant increase in population of the Lower Mainland.”

Everyone would like to believe Vancouver and surrounding cities like Richmond and Surrey are safe places to live and do business, but as you can see, even local governments admit it is becoming increasingly hard for police to protect us.

If police in the Lower Mainland cannot protect your business you have to do it yourself.

Here’s a crime map in Vancouver of Commercial Break-Ins & Enter for JUST A ONE WEEK PERIOD in November.

It was only few years ago Vancouver was identified as the “Break-In Capital of North America” and regardless of what local politicians preach, not much has changed.

Protecting your business takes many forms, from employee training, to installing preventative measures like CCTV & DVR systems to catch criminals in the act.

As the recession drags on and in some aspects even gets worse, criminals grow more desperate and become increasingly creative in how they steal from your company.

Local Vancouver business retailers were recently hit hard by criminals using debit-card scams and are under constant threat from robberies.

Here’s an example (not from Vancouver) of how easy thieves steal from jewelry retailers. Watch closely the older woman in yellow in the bottom left corner of the screen.

Here’s a video of a violent jewelry store robbery in Surrey WARNING: Graphic

The threat comes from inside and out. Theft and fraud by employees is on the rise, and so is break and enter, and shoplifting. We are surrounded by criminal activity.

Every day we see in local news that retail locations, factories, and residential units are being robbed and burglarized.

Many times it is almost impossible to catch thieves in the act, but what is possible is to record their crimes and use it as evidence in court to obtain a conviction and even retrieve your stolen property.

The faster a business owner acts to identify details of a crime the greater the odds of catching the criminals.

A well designed and installed security camera and recording system makes it easier for business owners and insurance companies to solve crimes against you. If you can quickly go to your DVR and extract details like exactly when it occurred, who was in the surrounding area preceding the crime, even a few days before, and also how they perpetrated the crime and what they stole, it will be easier for law enforcement to investigate and identify suspects.

High quality images will help ensure you get a conviction, and at the end of the day a conviction is what you need to recover property and prevent criminals from robbing you again. Without a conviction you have nothing.

A poorly designed or installed CCTV and DVR system will only give you a false sense of security. Fake cameras are for fake thieves. Dummy cams have their place, but real criminals are smart enough to know when you are protected, and when you’re bluffing.

When criminals realise that the prospect of getting caught is high, they move to an easier target – probably your neighbor.

Business owners can no longer sit back and expect police departments to be the primary source of defense. As you saw in the opening paragraph of this article, law enforcement is overwhelmed. They need more funds, and it appears the money is not coming any time soon. The recent Vancouver Hockey Riot is a perfect example of police underfunding.

You have a choice. You can assume greater responsibility to protect your business and profit, or you can continue to be a sitting duck and watch your profits deteriorate.

Make no mistake, in these very trying times, crime can put you out of business.

Margins are slim, but fortunately, your opportunity to protect yourself is greater than ever thanks to advanced technology and experienced companies that can help you design and install a security camera and recording system that actually works.

If you don’t know where to look or the right questions to ask regarding a security camera and DVR system, click here . . . 

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CCTV Protects Restaurant Customers

Posted on October 25, 2011 by watchd57

Restaurants use security cameras to record crimes committed in dining areas.

Franchises and independent food establishments have used CCTV to monitor employee behaviour and the cash register for years, but now all types and sizes of restaurants are training their security cameras on customers as they enter, order, eat, and pay.

Vancouver has one the highest concentrations of restaurants in North America, and whenever you have a high volume of people using a service it attracts a criminal element. Thieves target customers in an effort to steal bags or purses hanging on the backs of chairs or tucked under seats. They also look for electronic devices left unattended, like cell phones, iPADS, laptops, cameras etc. Cash left on tables for payment and tips is also a target, as are credit cards. Proving who took what in a hectic environment is almost impossible without video evidence to back it up.

When a customer leaves a table to go to the washroom or buffet area opportunistic thieves move in quickly and scoop anything of value left unattended. Quite often they steal while the victim is sitting right there eating or talking to friends. Sometimes it is simply a matter of reaching across from an adjacent table. Criminal activity like this can give a restaurant a bad reputation, which directly effects customer confidence and comfort.

When restaurateurs set up a security camera monitoring system and make it visible it lets customers know their welfare is valued and respected.

High end restaurants are often dark, and low light situations make it easier for thieves to operate undetected. A bustling brightly lit eatery also makes it very difficult for even people at your table to keep track of the goings on in your immediate vicinity. CCTV and DVR systems make it easier to track a customer entering an establishment, where they sit, and also how they move within the room. Clothes can often be one of the best identifying markers for crime. If they arrived in a shirt, but left in a coat, the evidence is tangible. It’s also easier to spot the thief in the red t-shirt or blue hat. Sometimes, one thief will do the actually stealing, and then quickly hand it off to an accomplice who will remove it from the location. Thieves sometimes also hide a stolen handbag in another larger bag. Security cameras and DVRs record these events for future prosecution and conviction.

When a restaurant installs a well-designed system capable of working in low light situations the system can clearly identify faces and clothing. Consequently, the chances of convicting a criminal, recovering property, and restoring customer faith increases dramatically. The cost of installing a CCTV & DVR system is well worth it when you consider the goodwill and repeat business it indirectly generates.

Large groups in your establishment for a birthday party or corporate celebration are especially vulnerable because guests at the table might not know each other, which makes it difficult to tell whether it is a member of your party moving a coat or a bag, or a thief. Sometimes thieves will move an article to see if anyone is watching, and once emboldened steal it a few moments later.

Distractions like singing birthday songs, dropped dishes, or a large party arriving or leaving are perfect opportunities for thieves waiting to strike. Restaurants are full of natural distractions, and many times a criminal can predict when a diversion will occur.

Business owners not only have an ethical obligation to protect customers, they sometimes also have a legal responsibility, and can be held liable in a court of law for losses a judge or jury deems preventable.

Thieves in action caught by security cameras

Here’s how it’s done http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQclHn7r084

Handbag – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wa_NVbUuqbM

Tip Jar – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDamWk57Ygs

Watch how this thief uses his foot to move a bag between tables
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6e60iACf40
Same thief – different view
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb-fW7F9D-M

Try, try again – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWLXEp90eng

Wallet – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mZAOjILdUc

Woman Steals Bag – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE6GrDA9P-s

Bag – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k7nCTFHPTJQ

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HIDDEN CAMERA OUTRAGE

Posted on October 19, 2011 by watchd57

Hidden Camera Outrage

The Coast Mountain Bus Company secretly installed hidden cameras on more than a dozen of their busses without employees being aware of their existence.

As you might expect, and as reported by news media in this CBC piece, outrage ensued.

For clarity, Coast Mountain was technically within their legal rights to install hidden cameras as long as the areas being monitored were considered “Public,” or in an area with no expectation of privacy. However, as you can see by the outcry from employees and the public when the cameras were accidently discovered, hidden cameras in a public workplace need to be introduced in a more sensitive manner for all concerned.

Whenever possible, we suggest VISIBLE cameras be installed because they provide a strong deterrent, and in many instances provide employees with an increased sense of security when they know the cameras are there to protect their welfare too.

Granted, hidden cameras are an effective and valuable tool for employers, especially when an employee is suspected of being responsible for questionable activity, however, when the installation is managed insensitively, employers risk losing the trust of valuable, honest employees.

To mitigate this risk, we suggest all employers weigh the benefits and risks regarding the installation of hidden cameras, and we also recommend employers have a Hidden Camera Policy that is known by all staff. A hidden camera policy can speed up the process for installing hidden cameras and also reduce potential for problems.

Policy Guidelines For Hidden Cameras

The following is a suggested guideline. Please consult your legal advisor to ensure it meets your needs and is compliant with local laws.

           1. Set a policy of where the cameras can and cannot be used. For example, the cameras can be used in any public part of the building and the property. The cameras cannot be used in any area where people expect privacy, such as washrooms and change rooms. We would also recommend you consider an office to be a private place, especially if there is any chance occupants of the office would use it to change their clothes.

            2. Outline who can authorise the use of hidden cameras and also who can review the video. You should allow only the highest level and most discreet people to review the video. Training is recommended.

            3. Clearly define circumstances under which hidden cameras may be installed. Usual uses are vandalism, theft, theft of company time (such as sleeping on the job), harassment, dangerous activities, etc.

You should also determine prior to the installation of the cameras what you are going to do with the information discovered on the video.

For example, if you are going to prosecute under the criminal code, you will need a better and clearer picture of events than if you were just planning to terminate the employee

Another important aspect of installing a hidden camera is to be prepared when someone accidently finds it. Make sure each person who knows there is a hidden camera also knows exactly what to say if a third party either discovers it, or even if they hear a rumour there is a hidden camera in place.

The best approach when someone suspects or discovers a hidden camera is to;

a)      admit it is in place

b)      let the third party know you are sensitive to the emotional pain this may have caused those who feel offended

c)      explain in simple language why the camera was installed

d)      explain what you will do in the future to prevent this type of anguish from happening again.  

It is critically important that spokespeople have proper media training in order to diminish any damage a discovery like this will have on the company. Be prepared, because even if a third party does not accidently discover your hidden cameras, when you capture the culprit eventually you will have to admit cameras were surreptitiously recording events.

Always remember that when you install a hidden camera you have to take everyone under its purview into consideration. It makes no sense to cut off your nose to spite your face. If you catch one thief, but alienate and lose the trust and respect of your staff you’ve taken one step forward, and two steps back. Consult a professional before you make matters worse.

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Security Camera Quotes: What to Ask for

Posted on September 29, 2011 by watchd57

Security Camera Quotes: What to Ask for

So  … you’ve decided you need a security camera system, or to upgrade an old, out-dated one. Where do you start?

Everyone, from your taxi driver to your network guy, claims they can install a camera system for you. While it is true that anyone can buy a camera system from a big box store like Costco and install it themselves, there are many limitations with off-the-shelf camera systems.

If you want your system to work properly, you really need to consult a professional.

There are literally hundreds of security camera and DVR manufacturers out there, which means it is a daunting task to choose the right company to meet your CCTV needs.

Here’s a guide to help you select the perfect combination of equipment and installer.

First, choose three reputable security cameras installation specialists and request quotes from each. To find these companies, you need to:

1. Check the company’s record with the Better Business Bureau.

 Click this link and type in the business name and city. If you cannot find the company listed at the BBB, ask the company more questions about how long they have been in business and if they do business under any other names.

2. Request a CLEARANCE LETTER from Worksafe BC. This ensures the company is registered with WCB and is current with their insurance premiums.

 Click this link  and select “Get a Clearance letter.”

3. Request a copy of the company’s CERTIFICATE of INSURANCE. Many small companies don’t want the added expense of insurance, so they don’t purchase it. Always make sure people working on your property are adequately insured to protect your business and employees.

4. Check their previous installations, and request referrals.

Now that you’ve chosen three security camera companies, you’ll need to request a QUOTE. (There is a legal difference between a quote and an estimate. Get a quote.)

Each company will need to visit your site to determine the best camera and lens options for each camera location. They should also listen to and pay careful heed to your expectations, and design a system that will best address your specific challenges.

1. Request a BROKEN OUT QUOTE that details costs of cameras, DVR, labour, wire, and miscellaneous material. Many companies will try to only provide a lump sum quote, but you will need details to better compare quotes.

2. Request specification sheets for the cameras and DVR. It is the only way you can even start to compare the equipment being quoted. Even with that, equipment can look similar on paper, but provide very different results.

3. Ask for a demonstration of the DVR. Make sure it is easy for “YOU” to use, or you will not use it.

4. Don’t base your decision on the bottom line price. If you do, you may be disappointed. Chose a company that provides you with the best solution within your budget. The company should be knowledgeable, professional and dedicated to providing you quality equipment and service.

Following these steps will help ensure you are satisfied with your security camera system purchase, installation, and operation.

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CCTV & DVR Systems Reduce Crime at YOUR Location

Posted on September 27, 2011 by watchd57

The argument has raged for years whether or not security cameras reduce crime.

Well the results are in and the evidence is irrefutable.

CCTV and DVR systems reduce crime at your location.

Notice I wrote, “at your location.”

It turns out that if you are the only one on your block NOT using a CCTV & DVR system, the odds are much greater thieves will target your location. This is not anecdotal. It is fact.

When a thief sees a security system that looks professional, they often move down the block or to a neighbouring community where the chance of getting caught is significantly reduced.

Granted, the ideal scenario would be for communities to reduce crime overall, but we all know criminal behaviour is trending up, especially in recessionary times. People are becoming desperate, and when they are desperate they do desperate things.

CCTV & DVR systems should be regarded as an investment in your business. Stopping one professional thief can sometimes pay for your entire security system. Pros who target industry are organized, and they do not usually work alone. When they hit your location they do it systematically and they make it count, sometimes a single haul can add up to tens of thousands of dollars if not more.

However, there are thousands of individuals who steal smaller amounts, but they do it regularly and rarely get caught.

Regularly occurring shoplifting adds up and reduces profit immensely.

Shoplifters admit they are caught only once in every fifty or so times they steal.

Loss of profit is not the only reason to install a well designed CCTV & DVR system. Reputation is also critical to some businesses, like hospitals for example. Theft from patients is reduced dramatically (20%) and the reputation of the hospital is protected when health care facilities invest in good security camera and digital video recorder systems.

It is also now being reported that when security camera systems are installed in higher rent commercial areas, crime moves to lower rent residential areas. This shouldn’t be surprising, but you will rarely hear politicians share this information because their mandate is to reduce crime overall, and not just at your location.

When insurance companies offer reduced premiums the decision is made much easier for business owners to invest in professionally installed CCTV & DVR systems. They win all around, and when they hear police also agreeing security camera systems reduce crime, it becomes a huge incentive to take proactive steps to reduce loss.

When a criminal knows they have been caught on video they often plead guilty. Some even turn themselves in hoping for leniency in the courts. So far in Vancouver seventy people suspected to have played a part in the hockey riot have turned themselves in, and many have admitted guilt. It’s a slam dunk for business owners who suffered losses.

We are not claiming a thief will not hit your location because they see a security camera on your property. Some criminals will take the risk. We are contending however that when a professional criminal cases your property and they see a well installed security camera system, and they then look next door at your neighbor who doesn’t have any type of CCTV in place, stats reveal the criminal will likely take the road of least resistance.

And if your neighbor also has a CCTV system the criminal will probably keep going until they find an unprotected property. Hopefully in the next city, maybe Burnaby or Surrey.

It pays to be proactive … not reactive.

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Security Camera Installation Secret #1 – Use a BIG Ladder

Posted on August 26, 2011 by watchd57

There is more to buying and installing CCTV security cameras and a compatible DVR system for your business than at first meets the eye, or the lens.

To begin, most people don’t realise specialised tools are required in order to correctly install and test many of the components.

What you think you might save doing a self-installation will soon be eaten up purchasing connectors, crimping and stripping tools, cable snakes, portable test monitors, ladders, or maybe even renting a cherry picker or a scaffold platform.

Once the installation is complete, what are you going to do with all that stuff?

Some camera mounts and housings even require special screwdrivers, sockets, and hex keys, not to mention skill to use these tools properly without cutting a finger or poking yourself in the eye.

For most business owners the ladder is the biggest concern. Not only do you have to climb one, you have to be able to balance on one leg twenty feet above a concrete slab while you drill holes and attach screws often barely within reach.

Metal ladders and power lines can also generate shocking consequences.

It is only after you’re up there for two hours sweating bullets and extending your reach as far as it will go that you finally ask, WHY didn’t I call a Pro?

Choosing the right ladder is only the beginning of self-installation challenges. If you need a security system that works properly at night to protect your business, you need to not only know how to choose the right IR cameras, but also how to set them up to work efficiently.

Balancing the right camera to the correct infrared light source respective of distance, angle, atmospheric conditions can be challenging. How many times are you prepared to climb up and down a ladder in the dark to set it up and test? Yes, everyone knows that’s what new employees are for, but do you have proper insurance coverage and can you afford increased premiums after an accident?

Cabling is also often a serious challenge for all but the most experienced security camera system installers. Gauge of cable (that’s how thick it is) is dependant not only on the type of equipment being wired, but also the length of run between components. You might think, no problem, I’ll install wireless cameras, but the challenge is that wireless systems can be considerably more expensive and are relatively easy to hack, plus … batteries have to be changed regularly, which means once again, up and down the ladder.

The cost of batteries alone, and the time it takes
to replace them is prohibitive over the long run.

Most wireless cameras also have to be within line of site to the receiver, so if you plan on going through walls, the cameras are not likely to work.

Another common mistake self-installers make is to purchase and install the incorrect amount and type of cameras. They purchase too few, too many, or the wrong style. The secret is to design a system that uses the least amount of equipment while still covering all the critical areas. Install too few cameras and experienced criminals in more sophisticated areas like Vancouver, Surrey or Richmond easily evade the field of view. Install too many cameras and your costs go through the roof in not only capital expenditure, but also maintenance.

Experienced designers and installers know the cost effective sweet spot.

Cameras and lenses have to be chosen respective of the results you require.

A wide-angle lens for example won’t provide details of the criminal’s face or activity. Consequently, it’s critically important to match the lens to the camera and then know exactly how close or far away to mount it, and at what height.

If it’s an outdoor installation you also have to be aware of how the sun moves across the sky at different times of the year. Weather too has to be taken into account and will dictate the type of camera and protective enclosure you purchase.

Cameras are definitely not one-size-fits-all even though many unscrupulous suppliers would like you to think so. Yes, some security camera retailers have money back guarantees, but there you go again back up a wobbly ladder.

Does your business even own a ladder, ideally a wide-based wooden one?

BTW, you’ll probably need two ladders, one for you to climb and hold the camera, and a second for the new employee doing the drilling and screwing, unless of course you both want to cozy-up on the same ladder. If so, hopefully one of you has very long legs and at least one really long arm. (Just kidding – one person per ladder is the only way to fly regardless of the freakish length of your or your employee’s left arm.)

Another downside of using too many cameras is the number of inputs you will need on your DVR to plug them all into. Keep in mind too that the more inputs you use, the faster the hard drive on your DVR fills up, which means you either automatically record over and lose information you might need to get a conviction, or you purchase a larger hard drive or a network of hard drives to handle your gazillions of cameras. Not very cost effective, especially considering you’re doing a self-installation to save money.

I’ve just skimmed the surface here regarding the challenges of designing and installing a business security system in the Lower Mainland of BC. Your best bet by far is to engage a respected company from the very beginning before you waste your time and money.

At the end of the day the only thing that counts is whether your security cameras and DVR perform as expected and clearly record images of criminals stripping you of your profits.

Remember, the goal is to stop criminals and get a conviction, not climb ladders.

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