An Exploration of Burglary and the Use of Security Cameras
According to the Uniform Crime Reporting Program Crime Clock, there is a burglary in the US every 14.6 seconds. Given that in nearly 84% of burglaries the perpetrator gains entry into the home or residence, the addition of security cameras offers the victim another opportunity to catch the perpetrator even if he/she escapes initially.
The average electronic security system is comprised of a keypad, control panel, and sensors. These sensors are generally placed at entryways such as doors and windows. Some systems set off alarms that are audible when triggered while others are connected to service centers and police dispatch locations. These types of security systems have proven to be effective at deterring burglars, especially when combined with warning decals or cautionary yard signs. However there are consumers who doubt their effectiveness. As a result, industry trends suggest that more homeowners have begun to turn to security providers that also offer video surveillance services. In fact, the overall global surveillance market is forecasted to have grown by 3 percent in 2009. Some homeowners will bypass professional security service providers entirely, opting for do-it-yourself home security kits. These kits include wireless window and motion sensors as well as video surveillance capabilities.
The key to an effective video surveillance and home security system requires more than just the installation of a security camera and an alarm. For starters, the security camera is nearly pointless if it is not also connected to a digital video recorder (DVR) because it would only allow the user to see a perpetrator committing a burglary if he/she were actively monitoring the system at the time of the crime. Given that in 2005 there were an estimated 62.4 percent of residential burglaries occurred during the workday between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m., the likelihood of a working homeowner catching a perpetrator in action is highly unlikely. Further, even if one were to see the burglar in the act there would be no recorded video evidence of the crime without the use of DVR technology. Fortunately technological advances allow for both recorded video surveillance as well as real-time video monitoring that can either be linked to a professional monitoring center or a web based interface that enables users to connect to a live video surveillance feed online from any remote location.
Another factor to consider regarding home security camera systems is the installation and placement of the cameras. If the cameras are not positioned properly then the system will be useless and a burglar could easily disable the security camera. In order to ensure peakl performance, security cameras should be placed in elevated location that are both not indirect line of sight and out of reach for potential burglars. When installed it is also important to ensure that all security cameras are placed in locations that allow for the widest line of sight and also locations where the burglar would most likely choose to break in. A survey done in Pennsylvania indicated that 81 percent of residential burglaries occurred through the first floor and 56 percent of residential burglars entered through the front or back door. Additionally, it is important that installed cameras are equipped with decent infrared sensors that will enable the cameras to be effective during the night or in poorly lit areas.
The implementation of video surveillance is undoubtedly the next step in home security. Not only are security cameras outstanding tools that allow for live video monitoring and recording, but they have also proven useful to number of police and insurance investigations.
CCTV Cameras, A Single Component In A Successful Design
Customer satisfaction depends solely on their needs being met. These needs are often budgetary but a CCTV camera installation that doesn’t cover the perceived areas of need is as bad or worse than no CCTV camera coverage at all. The cameras, types of cameras, lenses, multiplexers and recorders all play a factor in the successful installation of a CCTV camera system.
The only way for the CCTV camera provider to supply solutions to the clients’ needs is a series of meetings with the client. These meetings range from the initial meeting where the client expresses their needs for CCTV coverage to a final meeting where both parties sign a contract. This final contract will define what coverage is being provided to the client. During this series of meetings, the provider can provide information about capabilities of CCTV systems to the client that the client may have been unaware of. The main thing that the CCTV provider must do is insure that the system that they are proposing meets the client needs.
The client must make their needs known to the CCTV provider. These needs, which include problem areas that they want to, cover, what type of coverage that they need and their final budget for the project. While the provider may have a different concept for the project the needs of the client must be met. There may be options to a CCTV camera installation that the client is unaware of. These options should be brought out to the client and potentially the CCTV installation will be subject to further budget review.
The provider should not recommend one type of camera for every purpose. Cameras can be of varying resolutions, and either color or black and white. A camera that is strictly used for the surveillance of a particular area could well be a black and white camera with a fixed lens. Another location that required the identity of customers or clerks might necessitate the utilization of a color camera and a lens with an auto iris. When the provider of the CCTV camera system makes his presentation to the client the provider should provide a drawing of the property that the cameras are to be installed at with the cameras and their field of view marked on the drawing. This drawing provides the client visual knowledge of what areas are being covered and any changes can be made prior to installation of the system. The drawing can be provided to the client so that the client can present the drawings to their management for final approval.
Meetings with the between the client and the CCTV camera installation provider will provide the problems faced by the client and the solutions proposed by the CCTV camera provider. At the end of the meetings, both the client and the provider will know exactly what is to be provided and the coverage of the areas that the client perceives as problem areas. When the installation is complete, both the client and the provider will be satisfied with the finished product.
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