The signs seem to pop up everywhere: “This business is monitored 24 hours a day by video surveillance.” Yet many businesses wonder whether video surveillance in theft prevention really aids in protecting against theft and vandalism or whether these services are just a costly form of smoke and mirrors.
New advances in video technology have made catching thieves looking for anything from copper wiring to scrap metal as well as traditional goods an easier prospect. New video analytic software aids monitors in identifying suspicious behavior. Better quality lenses aid in helping cameras “see” in difficult situations such as rain, fog, or darkness. These advancements have led to an increase in video cameras and validated the use of video surveillance in theft prevention. In Washington D.C., for example, cameras are considered an essential part of their overall crime fighting strategy.
Yet while we continue to make strides in developing stronger and more efficient technologies, recent studies show that video surveillance in theft prevention is more likely to deter crime only when properly monitored. It isn’t enough for a business to have a camera simply to record data. The cameras must be monitored live by trained staff to have the greatest impact. As the study concludes, proper monitoring of video surveillance in Chicago not only prevented crime, but also proved cost effective, saving the city $4.30 for every dollar spent installing the cameras.
A recent report in the Journal of Management and Marketing Research showed that as many as 30% of business fail due to crimes such as theft and concluded that investing in security measures was a cost-effective way to prevent heavy economic losses. Video surveillance in theft prevention not only reduces the likelihood that a company will be a target of theft. It also may help save on insurance premiums.
Stealth Monitoring’s proactive live monitoring can help detect and deter crime at your property. When a Stealth operator sees suspicious activity, they can activate an audible alarm and call the local police. Contact us at Stealth Monitoring to discuss how video surveillance in theft prevention safeguards your business and property from criminals. Visit our web site and see actual videos of criminals being apprehended.
About the Author
