More than 4 million cameras are trained on Britons, posted from downtown to roadways, residential area.
Big Brother in Britain: Does more surveillance work?
By Mark Rice-Oxley | Correspondent of The Christian Science Monitor
KINGSTON, ENGLAND � It was all over in 54 seconds. One moment the four friends were strolling home after a night out, the next they were nursing injuries inflicted by a knife-wielding assailant.
Another sad tale of crime and impunity in modern Britain? Not quite, for the incident last April in this town in southeast England was filmed from start to finish on surveillance cameras. Police were rapidly alerted; a suspect was quickly identified, apprehended, convicted, and sentenced. Case closed.
It's successes like these that are giving CCTV, or closed-circuit television, a good name in Britain. The technology has become popular and widespread, with the result that Britons are by far the most watched people on earth, with one camera for every 14 people, according to recent estimates.
More than 4 million cameras observe all aspects of life, from town centers to transport systems, office towers to banks, commercial zones to residential areas, restaurants, bars, and even churches.
In 1990, just three towns had systems. Now some 500 do, after a decade in which more than �250 million ($460 million) of public money was funneled into CCTV systems.
"The British public seem to like it," says Martin Gill, professor of criminology at Leicester University. "One of the great problems of our lives is crime and disorder, and people feel it can be tackled by having cameras on the wall."
But serious question marks hang over the technology and its dark Orwellian implications. Many cameras are hidden or not signposted, in breach of regulations. Several cases of abuse have been documented, raising fears of snooping or worse.
Civil liberty groups complain that the intrusive lens scanning for suspicious characters contravenes that pillar of civil society - the presumption of innocence.
Research meanwhile suggests that the camera systems may not actually deter criminals.
"One of the concerns about CCTV is that it can give a false sense of security," says Barry Hugill of Liberty, a civil liberties and human rights group based in London. "I suspect that the reason why people are happy with CCTV is that they say it makes us safer and stops crime. But we don't think there's evidence that that is the case."
Indeed, research has yet to support the case for CCTV.
A government review 18 months ago found that security cameras were effective in tackling vehicle crime but had limited effect on other crimes. Improved streetlighting recorded better results.
A new report being drawn up by Professor Gill for the government promises to be no more favorable in its assessment of CCTV as a crime-fighting tool.
"I have talked to offenders about this," says Gill. "They say they are not concerned by security cameras, unless they were actually caught by one."
Britain is a case apart from Europe, where most countries embraced the technology only in the late 1990s - and then with caution. According to researchers now preparing a report on comparative systems, France tends to limit coverage to high-risk locations and public buildings, while in Spain, surveillance is tightly controlled. In Austria, it is used primarily for traffic and transport systems. In Germany, it was severely restricted in public spaces until recently.
But in Britain, the public has had a soft spot for CCTV ever since it was used to dramatic effect to solve a wretched crime more than 11 years ago.
Most people can still picture the grainy footage of two juveniles leading 2-year-old Jamie Bulger by the hand out of a shopping mall in Liverpool. He was found dead days later. Without those images, experts say, police would have been looking for a culprit with an entirely different profile from the 11-year-old offenders.
"Since Jamie Bulger's case over here, the public see CCTV not as Big Brother but as a benevolent father," says Peter Fry, director of the CCTV user group, a 600-member association of organizations who use the technology.
"If you ask the public what they would like to do about crime, No. 1 is more police on the street and No. 2 is more CCTV," he adds.
The trend coincides with a growing culture of snooping in Britain, where speed cameras rule the highway, residents post their own cameras to spy on trespassers, and the favorite TV shows revolve around hidden cameras observing bland people lounging around.
But not everyone is reassured by the idea of lenses capable of reading a car license plate from half a mile away. Anecdotal evidence suggests the technology can be used for voyeurism, and concerns remain about who gets access to the tapes, which are typically held for a month before being erased.
In one case, a man's attempted suicide was caught on camera and passed on to television. Mr Lazell says he sometimes gets individuals calling on him to use the technology to spy on partners.
Prof. Clive Norris, deputy director of the center for criminological research at Sheffield University, told a recent conference that the technology "enables people to be tracked and monitored and harassed and socially excluded on the basis that they do not fit into the category of people that a council or shopping center wants to see in a public space."
Legislation requires authorities to clearly signal where cameras are in operation, yet as many as 80 percent are thought to break this rule.
Some cameras are being developed with face-recognition technology that raises further alarms.
"There are privacy concerns," says Mr Hugill of Liberty. "There are people who believe that we have fundamental human right to go about our business without being spied on. CCTV is spying. It's monitoring your every move."
Naturally, surveillance enthusiasts scoff at such logic, saying that operators will not be focusing on the average member of the public, but on anyone acting out of the ordinary.
For Mr. Lazell, it's a trade-off: a little liberty for greater security.
"All progress offers compromise," he comments. "Would you be prepared to take down all cameras in the Underground and let terrorists move about without being seen?"
Monday, September 29, 2008
What is a cctv?
1. What is CCTV?
2. What sort of technology is used in CCTV systems?
3. Can CCTV reduce crime?
4. What does the public think of CCTV?
1. What is CCTV?
CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) is a visual surveillance technology designed for monitoring a variety of environments and activities. CCTV systems typically involve a fixed (or "dedicated") communications link between cameras and monitors.
In the past decade, the use of CCTV has grown to unprecedented levels. In Britain between 150 and 300 million pounds (225 - 450 million dollars) per year is now spent on a surveillance industry involving an estimated 300,000 cameras Most British towns and cities are moving to CCTV surveillance of public areas, housing estates, car parks and public facilities. Growth in the market is estimated at fifteen to twenty per cent annually. 1
Many Central Business Districts in Britain are now covered by surveillance camera systems involving a linked system of cameras with full pan, tilt, zoom and infrared capacity. Their use on private property is also becoming popular. Increasingly, police and local councils are placing camera systems into housing estates and red light districts. Residents Associations are independently organizing their own surveillance initiatives. Tens of thousands of cameras operate in public places,; in phone booths, vending machines, buses, trains, taxis, alongside motorways and inside Automatic Teller (Cash) Machines.
The video surveillance boom is likely to extend even inside the home. Andrew May, Assistant Chief Constable of South Wales, has urged victims of domestic violence to conceal video cameras in their homes to collect evidence. The technology is already being used in hospitals to support covert surveillance of parents suspected of abusing their children.
The limits of CCTV are constantly extended. Originally installed to deter burglary, assault and car theft, in practice most camera systems have been used to combat 'anti-social behavior', including many such minor offenses as littering, urinating in public, traffic violations, obstruction, drunkenness, and evading meters in town parking lots. They have also been widely used to intervene in other 'undesirable' behavior such as underage smoking and a variety of public order transgressions. Other innovative uses are constantly being discovered. 2 When combined with observation of body language, the cameras are particularly effective in detecting people using marijuana and other substances. These systems are used increasingly to police public morals and public order. According to a glossy UK Home Office promotional booklet, "CCTV : Looking out for you", the technology can be a solution for such problems as vandalism, drug use, drunkenness, racial harassment, sexual harassment, loitering and disorderly behavior. 3
CCTV is very quickly becoming an integral part of crime control policy, social control theory and 'Community consciousness'. It is promoted by police and politicians as primary solution for urban dysfunction. It is no exaggeration to conclude that the technology has had more of an impact on the evolution of law enforcement policy than just about any technology initiative in the past two decades.
CCTV is a seductive technology. In a public policy domain which is notoriously rubbery, CCTV has a solid, "Sexy" and powerful image. It has become an icon for security and - for politicians - its promotion is guaranteed to create a feel-good response. When people are frightened of crime and criminals, critics of CCTV are often portrayed as enemies of the public interest.
While Britain is clearly the lead nation in implementing CCTV, other countries are quickly following. North America, Australia and some European countries are installing the cameras in urban environments which a few years ago would most likely have rejected the technology.
2. What sort of technology is used in CCTV systems?
The modern CCTV system involves a linked system of cameras with full pan, tilt, and zoom able to be operated remotely from a control room.
These systems may involve sophisticated technology. Features can include night vision, computer assisted operation, and motion detection facilities which allows the operator to instruct the system to go on red alert when anything moves in view of the cameras. Camera systems increasingly employ bullet-proof casing, and automated self defense mechanisms which - as with the Liverpool system - ensure that cameras under attack are covered by neighboring cameras These can be legitimately described as military style systems.
The clarity of the pictures is often excellent, with many systems being able to recognize a cigarette packet at a hundred metres. The systems can often work in pitch blackness, bringing images up to daylight level.
3. Can CCTV reduce crime?
Glowing reports of the effectiveness of CCTV are announced regularly. Strathclyde police in Scotland recently claimed a 75 per cent drop in crime following the installation of a £130,000 closed circuit TV system in Airdrie. Not only are people delighted because they are no longer afraid to go out shopping, say local police, but even criminals welcome the chance to prove their innocence by calling on evidence from the cameras. In King's Lynn, burglary and vandalism in the industrial estate has dropped to a tiny fraction of its original level. Crime in car parks has dropped by ninety per cent. People say they feel safer. Indeed they should. Assaults and other violent crimes appear also to have been decimated in the center of town.
The government believes this is because CCTV deters 'opportunistic' crime, where people take advantage of a situation on the spur of the moment. Phillip Edwards from the Home Office Crime Prevention Unit says the government is using CCTV as part of a long term plan to reduce overall crime. "Today's opportunist is tomorrow's professional criminal. If we decrease the number of opportunities for easy crime, we can reduce the number of people becoming professional criminals".
The logic, and the statistics, are superficially impressive, but some analysts are not convinced. In a report to the Scottish Office on the impact of CCTV, Jason Ditton, Director of the Scottish Centre for Criminology, argued that many claims of crime reduction are little more than fantasy. "All (evaluations and statistics) we have seen so far are wholly unreliable", The British Journal of Criminology went further by describing the statistics as "....post hoc shoestring efforts by the untrained and self interested practitioner ". 4
The crime reduction claims being made by CCTV proponents are not convincing. Three recent criminological reports (Home Office, Scottish Office and Southbank University) have discredited the conventional wisdom about the cameras effectiveness. In a report to the Scottish Office on the impact of CCTV, Jason Ditton, Director of the Scottish Centre for Criminology, argued that the claims of crime reduction are little more than fantasy. "All (evaluations and statistics) we have seen so far are wholly unreliable", The British Journal of Criminology described the statistics as "....post hoc shoestring efforts by the untrained and self interested practitioner." In short, the crime statistics are without credibility.
The crime statistics rarely, if ever, reflect the hypothesis that CCTV merely displaces criminal activity to areas outside the range of the cameras. One of the features of current surveillance practice is that the cameras are often installed in high-rent commercial areas. Crime may be merely pushed from high value commercial areas into low rent residential areas. Councils often find that it is impossible to resist demands for such systems. There is an additional element of displacement that should be of particularly concern to all communities. Since the growth of CCTV as the primary means of crime prevention, more traditional, community based measures have been discarded.
A Scottish Centre for Criminology report on CCTV in Airdre was unable to rule out displacement as a factor. 5 while various studies in other countries indicate that burglars and other criminals will travel long distances to commit crimes. 6 Discussing the justification for establishing a surveillance system of 16 cameras in Manchester, Gordon Conquest, chairman of the city centre sub committee of Manchester Council, candidly admitted "No crackdown on crime does more than displace it, and that's the best we can do at the moment." 7
The Crime Prevention Unit of the Home Office appears to agree. In 1993 it suppressed the findings of a survey on the crime impact of camera surveillance on the basis that the displacement effect had been all but ignored. In other words, crime may be merely pushed from high value commercial areas into low rent residential areas. One of the features of current surveillance practice is that the cameras are often installed in high-rent commercial areas. Councils often find that it is impossible to resist demands for such systems. The trend is fueled in part by the insurance industry, which in some towns is offering a thirty per cent reduction in premiums to local retailers who pay a contribution to a CCTV levy system. A nationwide insurance discount scheme is currently being negotiated, and should be in place by 1996.
Some police also concede that CCTV displaces crime. Richard Thomas, Acting Deputy Chief Constable for Gwent, recently told the BBC's Andrew Neil that he believed CCTV pushed some crime beyond the range of the cameras. 8 And in his interview with 20/20, Leslie Sharp said "Certainly the crime goes somewhere. I don't believe that just because you've got cameras in a city center that everyone says 'Oh well, we're going to give up crime and get a job".
The cameras are also creating a vastly increased rate of conviction after crimes are detected. Virtually everyone caught committing an offense on camera pleads guilty nowadays. Once people know they have been videotaped, they admit the offense immediately. Such is also the case in Newcastle, where the installation in 1992 of a 16 camera system has resulted in a 100 per cent incidence of guilty pleas. 9 Police are delighted at the time and money they are saving from long and expensive trials. Some legal experts are a little more wary of the implications of these results, arguing that - like DNA evidence - juries can be seduced and defendants intimidated in equal proportions by evidence that might not normally stand up to scrutiny. Indeed some districts are now reporting that people are surrendering after the mere mention in newspaper reports that their alleged activities had been captured on CCTV. 10
4. What does the public think of CCTV?
The picture is mixed. While proponents of CCTV are inclined to describe opposition to the technology as marginal, the reality is much less conclusive. In one survey commissioned by the UK Home Office a large proportion of respondents expressed concern about several key aspects of visual surveillance.
The extent of concern was highlighted by the outcome that more than fifty per cent of people felt neither government nor private security firms should be allowed to make decisions to allow the installation of CCTV in public places. 72 per cent agreed "these cameras could easily be abused and used by the wrong people". 39 per cent felt that people who are in control of these systems cold not be "completely trusted to use them only for the public good". 37 per cent felt that "in the future, cameras will be used by the government to control people". While this response could be interpreted a number of ways, it goes to the heart of the privacy and civil rights dilemma. More than one respondent in ten believed that CCTV cameras should be banned. 11
Another interesting conclusion of the Home Office survey was that 36 per cent of respondents did not agree with the proposition "the more of these cameras we have, the better". Contrast this with the view of Leslie Sharp, chief constable for the Scotland's Strathclyde Police Department. Referring to his forces mania for CCTV he told ABC news' 20/20 program "We will gradually drive the criminal further and further away, and eventually I hope to drive them into the sea". 12
The most crucial element of the Home Office survey was the conclusion that the public were less inclined to unconditionally support CCTV once issues were raised and discussed within groups.
FOOTNOTES
1. Davies, S (1996) Big Brother : Britain's web of surveillance and the new technological order, Pan Books, London, p. 183.
2. ibid p. 177.
3. CCTV, Looking out for you, Home Office, London, 1994 p 12.
4. cited in Davies, S (1996) Big Brother.
5. Ditton, J (1996) Does Closed Circuit Television Prevent Crime? Scottish Centre for Criminology, HSO Edinburgh.
6. Gabor, T (1978) "Crime displacement The literature and strategies for its investigation", Crime and Justice, Vol 6 no. 2 p.105.
7. City life, July 27 1994.
8. Andrew Neil Show, BBC TV, 29 May 1996.
9. ibid p. 11.
10. Dawson T, "Fraing the villains", New Statesman, 28 January 1994.
11. Honess T, and Charman E (1992) ; "Closed Circuit Television in public places" Crime Prevention Unit paper no. 35 London HMSO.
12. ABC News, 20/20, September 7, 1995.
www.2mcctv.com
2. What sort of technology is used in CCTV systems?
3. Can CCTV reduce crime?
4. What does the public think of CCTV?
1. What is CCTV?
CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) is a visual surveillance technology designed for monitoring a variety of environments and activities. CCTV systems typically involve a fixed (or "dedicated") communications link between cameras and monitors.
In the past decade, the use of CCTV has grown to unprecedented levels. In Britain between 150 and 300 million pounds (225 - 450 million dollars) per year is now spent on a surveillance industry involving an estimated 300,000 cameras Most British towns and cities are moving to CCTV surveillance of public areas, housing estates, car parks and public facilities. Growth in the market is estimated at fifteen to twenty per cent annually. 1
Many Central Business Districts in Britain are now covered by surveillance camera systems involving a linked system of cameras with full pan, tilt, zoom and infrared capacity. Their use on private property is also becoming popular. Increasingly, police and local councils are placing camera systems into housing estates and red light districts. Residents Associations are independently organizing their own surveillance initiatives. Tens of thousands of cameras operate in public places,; in phone booths, vending machines, buses, trains, taxis, alongside motorways and inside Automatic Teller (Cash) Machines.
The video surveillance boom is likely to extend even inside the home. Andrew May, Assistant Chief Constable of South Wales, has urged victims of domestic violence to conceal video cameras in their homes to collect evidence. The technology is already being used in hospitals to support covert surveillance of parents suspected of abusing their children.
The limits of CCTV are constantly extended. Originally installed to deter burglary, assault and car theft, in practice most camera systems have been used to combat 'anti-social behavior', including many such minor offenses as littering, urinating in public, traffic violations, obstruction, drunkenness, and evading meters in town parking lots. They have also been widely used to intervene in other 'undesirable' behavior such as underage smoking and a variety of public order transgressions. Other innovative uses are constantly being discovered. 2 When combined with observation of body language, the cameras are particularly effective in detecting people using marijuana and other substances. These systems are used increasingly to police public morals and public order. According to a glossy UK Home Office promotional booklet, "CCTV : Looking out for you", the technology can be a solution for such problems as vandalism, drug use, drunkenness, racial harassment, sexual harassment, loitering and disorderly behavior. 3
CCTV is very quickly becoming an integral part of crime control policy, social control theory and 'Community consciousness'. It is promoted by police and politicians as primary solution for urban dysfunction. It is no exaggeration to conclude that the technology has had more of an impact on the evolution of law enforcement policy than just about any technology initiative in the past two decades.
CCTV is a seductive technology. In a public policy domain which is notoriously rubbery, CCTV has a solid, "Sexy" and powerful image. It has become an icon for security and - for politicians - its promotion is guaranteed to create a feel-good response. When people are frightened of crime and criminals, critics of CCTV are often portrayed as enemies of the public interest.
While Britain is clearly the lead nation in implementing CCTV, other countries are quickly following. North America, Australia and some European countries are installing the cameras in urban environments which a few years ago would most likely have rejected the technology.
2. What sort of technology is used in CCTV systems?
The modern CCTV system involves a linked system of cameras with full pan, tilt, and zoom able to be operated remotely from a control room.
These systems may involve sophisticated technology. Features can include night vision, computer assisted operation, and motion detection facilities which allows the operator to instruct the system to go on red alert when anything moves in view of the cameras. Camera systems increasingly employ bullet-proof casing, and automated self defense mechanisms which - as with the Liverpool system - ensure that cameras under attack are covered by neighboring cameras These can be legitimately described as military style systems.
The clarity of the pictures is often excellent, with many systems being able to recognize a cigarette packet at a hundred metres. The systems can often work in pitch blackness, bringing images up to daylight level.
3. Can CCTV reduce crime?
Glowing reports of the effectiveness of CCTV are announced regularly. Strathclyde police in Scotland recently claimed a 75 per cent drop in crime following the installation of a £130,000 closed circuit TV system in Airdrie. Not only are people delighted because they are no longer afraid to go out shopping, say local police, but even criminals welcome the chance to prove their innocence by calling on evidence from the cameras. In King's Lynn, burglary and vandalism in the industrial estate has dropped to a tiny fraction of its original level. Crime in car parks has dropped by ninety per cent. People say they feel safer. Indeed they should. Assaults and other violent crimes appear also to have been decimated in the center of town.
The government believes this is because CCTV deters 'opportunistic' crime, where people take advantage of a situation on the spur of the moment. Phillip Edwards from the Home Office Crime Prevention Unit says the government is using CCTV as part of a long term plan to reduce overall crime. "Today's opportunist is tomorrow's professional criminal. If we decrease the number of opportunities for easy crime, we can reduce the number of people becoming professional criminals".
The logic, and the statistics, are superficially impressive, but some analysts are not convinced. In a report to the Scottish Office on the impact of CCTV, Jason Ditton, Director of the Scottish Centre for Criminology, argued that many claims of crime reduction are little more than fantasy. "All (evaluations and statistics) we have seen so far are wholly unreliable", The British Journal of Criminology went further by describing the statistics as "....post hoc shoestring efforts by the untrained and self interested practitioner ". 4
The crime reduction claims being made by CCTV proponents are not convincing. Three recent criminological reports (Home Office, Scottish Office and Southbank University) have discredited the conventional wisdom about the cameras effectiveness. In a report to the Scottish Office on the impact of CCTV, Jason Ditton, Director of the Scottish Centre for Criminology, argued that the claims of crime reduction are little more than fantasy. "All (evaluations and statistics) we have seen so far are wholly unreliable", The British Journal of Criminology described the statistics as "....post hoc shoestring efforts by the untrained and self interested practitioner." In short, the crime statistics are without credibility.
The crime statistics rarely, if ever, reflect the hypothesis that CCTV merely displaces criminal activity to areas outside the range of the cameras. One of the features of current surveillance practice is that the cameras are often installed in high-rent commercial areas. Crime may be merely pushed from high value commercial areas into low rent residential areas. Councils often find that it is impossible to resist demands for such systems. There is an additional element of displacement that should be of particularly concern to all communities. Since the growth of CCTV as the primary means of crime prevention, more traditional, community based measures have been discarded.
A Scottish Centre for Criminology report on CCTV in Airdre was unable to rule out displacement as a factor. 5 while various studies in other countries indicate that burglars and other criminals will travel long distances to commit crimes. 6 Discussing the justification for establishing a surveillance system of 16 cameras in Manchester, Gordon Conquest, chairman of the city centre sub committee of Manchester Council, candidly admitted "No crackdown on crime does more than displace it, and that's the best we can do at the moment." 7
The Crime Prevention Unit of the Home Office appears to agree. In 1993 it suppressed the findings of a survey on the crime impact of camera surveillance on the basis that the displacement effect had been all but ignored. In other words, crime may be merely pushed from high value commercial areas into low rent residential areas. One of the features of current surveillance practice is that the cameras are often installed in high-rent commercial areas. Councils often find that it is impossible to resist demands for such systems. The trend is fueled in part by the insurance industry, which in some towns is offering a thirty per cent reduction in premiums to local retailers who pay a contribution to a CCTV levy system. A nationwide insurance discount scheme is currently being negotiated, and should be in place by 1996.
Some police also concede that CCTV displaces crime. Richard Thomas, Acting Deputy Chief Constable for Gwent, recently told the BBC's Andrew Neil that he believed CCTV pushed some crime beyond the range of the cameras. 8 And in his interview with 20/20, Leslie Sharp said "Certainly the crime goes somewhere. I don't believe that just because you've got cameras in a city center that everyone says 'Oh well, we're going to give up crime and get a job".
The cameras are also creating a vastly increased rate of conviction after crimes are detected. Virtually everyone caught committing an offense on camera pleads guilty nowadays. Once people know they have been videotaped, they admit the offense immediately. Such is also the case in Newcastle, where the installation in 1992 of a 16 camera system has resulted in a 100 per cent incidence of guilty pleas. 9 Police are delighted at the time and money they are saving from long and expensive trials. Some legal experts are a little more wary of the implications of these results, arguing that - like DNA evidence - juries can be seduced and defendants intimidated in equal proportions by evidence that might not normally stand up to scrutiny. Indeed some districts are now reporting that people are surrendering after the mere mention in newspaper reports that their alleged activities had been captured on CCTV. 10
4. What does the public think of CCTV?
The picture is mixed. While proponents of CCTV are inclined to describe opposition to the technology as marginal, the reality is much less conclusive. In one survey commissioned by the UK Home Office a large proportion of respondents expressed concern about several key aspects of visual surveillance.
The extent of concern was highlighted by the outcome that more than fifty per cent of people felt neither government nor private security firms should be allowed to make decisions to allow the installation of CCTV in public places. 72 per cent agreed "these cameras could easily be abused and used by the wrong people". 39 per cent felt that people who are in control of these systems cold not be "completely trusted to use them only for the public good". 37 per cent felt that "in the future, cameras will be used by the government to control people". While this response could be interpreted a number of ways, it goes to the heart of the privacy and civil rights dilemma. More than one respondent in ten believed that CCTV cameras should be banned. 11
Another interesting conclusion of the Home Office survey was that 36 per cent of respondents did not agree with the proposition "the more of these cameras we have, the better". Contrast this with the view of Leslie Sharp, chief constable for the Scotland's Strathclyde Police Department. Referring to his forces mania for CCTV he told ABC news' 20/20 program "We will gradually drive the criminal further and further away, and eventually I hope to drive them into the sea". 12
The most crucial element of the Home Office survey was the conclusion that the public were less inclined to unconditionally support CCTV once issues were raised and discussed within groups.
FOOTNOTES
1. Davies, S (1996) Big Brother : Britain's web of surveillance and the new technological order, Pan Books, London, p. 183.
2. ibid p. 177.
3. CCTV, Looking out for you, Home Office, London, 1994 p 12.
4. cited in Davies, S (1996) Big Brother.
5. Ditton, J (1996) Does Closed Circuit Television Prevent Crime? Scottish Centre for Criminology, HSO Edinburgh.
6. Gabor, T (1978) "Crime displacement The literature and strategies for its investigation", Crime and Justice, Vol 6 no. 2 p.105.
7. City life, July 27 1994.
8. Andrew Neil Show, BBC TV, 29 May 1996.
9. ibid p. 11.
10. Dawson T, "Fraing the villains", New Statesman, 28 January 1994.
11. Honess T, and Charman E (1992) ; "Closed Circuit Television in public places" Crime Prevention Unit paper no. 35 London HMSO.
12. ABC News, 20/20, September 7, 1995.
www.2mcctv.com
Security Cameras To Keep A Close Eye On Paper Ballots
Security Cameras To Keep A Close Eye On Paper Ballots
Posted by: Stefan Mychajliw, Reporter Created: 9/12/2005 9:28:16 PM Updated: 9/13/2005 8:00:17 PM
A number of people called the Erie County Board of Elections over the past few days, wanting to know what steps are being taken to protect the integrity of the September Primary, considering many people will vote using paper ballots.
"We've had a number of inquiries of how secure the ballots are going to be," said Republican Erie County Board of Elections Commissioner Ralph Mohr.
The Erie County Board of Elections decided to use the help of the Erie County Sheriff�s Department as well as security video cameras to make sure those paper ballots aren�t tampered with.
"The camera will provide the round-the-clock surveillance and security," said Democratic Erie County Board of Elections Commissioner Dennis Ward.
Every single paper ballot will be brought to the Erie County Board of Elections on Eagle Street in downtown Buffalo.
They will be stored in a back room on the third floor. Security cameras will videotape both inside and just outside the room.
"As we're going back 100 years in method of voting, we're using modern technology to preserve the integrity of the ballots," added Mohr.
"Everyone here will know that there's a camera monitoring the approach to the room in which the ballots will be stored," said Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard. There is only one key that can open that door. The key will be given to one Erie County Sheriff�s Deputy.
That deputy will open the door only at the request of both Election Commissioners.
"There's only one room with only one lock on the door.There's no one getting in that room," added Ward.
"Keys will be under the control of the Sheriff's Department. That deputy will retain the key. And only that deputy will open the door. I'm confident that the system they have is adequate," added Sheriff Howard.
Using paper ballots for the General Election in November will not be adequate when it comes to declaring official winners.
As far as the September Primary is concerned, an official winner may not be declared in close races using paper ballots until mid-October. The anticipated outcome is much worse if paper is used in November.
"If we had to go to paper for the General Election, I would not hesitate to say we'll be in the middle of February still counting, trying to determine who the winners are for that election," said Mohr.
Posted by: Stefan Mychajliw, Reporter Created: 9/12/2005 9:28:16 PM Updated: 9/13/2005 8:00:17 PM
A number of people called the Erie County Board of Elections over the past few days, wanting to know what steps are being taken to protect the integrity of the September Primary, considering many people will vote using paper ballots.
"We've had a number of inquiries of how secure the ballots are going to be," said Republican Erie County Board of Elections Commissioner Ralph Mohr.
The Erie County Board of Elections decided to use the help of the Erie County Sheriff�s Department as well as security video cameras to make sure those paper ballots aren�t tampered with.
"The camera will provide the round-the-clock surveillance and security," said Democratic Erie County Board of Elections Commissioner Dennis Ward.
Every single paper ballot will be brought to the Erie County Board of Elections on Eagle Street in downtown Buffalo.
They will be stored in a back room on the third floor. Security cameras will videotape both inside and just outside the room.
"As we're going back 100 years in method of voting, we're using modern technology to preserve the integrity of the ballots," added Mohr.
"Everyone here will know that there's a camera monitoring the approach to the room in which the ballots will be stored," said Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard. There is only one key that can open that door. The key will be given to one Erie County Sheriff�s Deputy.
That deputy will open the door only at the request of both Election Commissioners.
"There's only one room with only one lock on the door.There's no one getting in that room," added Ward.
"Keys will be under the control of the Sheriff's Department. That deputy will retain the key. And only that deputy will open the door. I'm confident that the system they have is adequate," added Sheriff Howard.
Using paper ballots for the General Election in November will not be adequate when it comes to declaring official winners.
As far as the September Primary is concerned, an official winner may not be declared in close races using paper ballots until mid-October. The anticipated outcome is much worse if paper is used in November.
"If we had to go to paper for the General Election, I would not hesitate to say we'll be in the middle of February still counting, trying to determine who the winners are for that election," said Mohr.
CCTV system for firefighters
CCTV system for firefighters
By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner Sep 13 2005
FIRE CREWS in West Yorkshire hope to strike a deal that will use CCTV cameras to spot fires.
The West Yorkshire Fire Authority has been debating changes to its radio system.
The discussions have been brought about because firefighters' shared channel with the police is to close.
The new system - if the WYFA executive committee gives it the green light on Friday - will see fire crews sharing with five West Yorkshire local authorities.
The new system, known as West Yorkshire Broadband Network (WYBN) means that control centre staff will be able to tap into West Yorkshire's extensive CCTV system and look at sites where fires have been reported.
It will cost �116,000 to set up but after that will cost �25,000 annually - �4,000 a year cheaper than the present deal.
Fire chiefs had looked at a number of options for radio contact.
Keeping the new system or creating a brand new one was deemed too expensive.
Chiefs had discussed also using mobile phones.
Kirklees councillor Mehboob Khan, who sits on the West Yorkshire board, said: "This is an excellent system we will be able to link it across West Yorkshire and also use the CCTV."
By The Huddersfield Daily Examiner Sep 13 2005
FIRE CREWS in West Yorkshire hope to strike a deal that will use CCTV cameras to spot fires.
The West Yorkshire Fire Authority has been debating changes to its radio system.
The discussions have been brought about because firefighters' shared channel with the police is to close.
The new system - if the WYFA executive committee gives it the green light on Friday - will see fire crews sharing with five West Yorkshire local authorities.
The new system, known as West Yorkshire Broadband Network (WYBN) means that control centre staff will be able to tap into West Yorkshire's extensive CCTV system and look at sites where fires have been reported.
It will cost �116,000 to set up but after that will cost �25,000 annually - �4,000 a year cheaper than the present deal.
Fire chiefs had looked at a number of options for radio contact.
Keeping the new system or creating a brand new one was deemed too expensive.
Chiefs had discussed also using mobile phones.
Kirklees councillor Mehboob Khan, who sits on the West Yorkshire board, said: "This is an excellent system we will be able to link it across West Yorkshire and also use the CCTV."
Video Cameras to fight corruption!!!
Video Cameras to fight corruption!!!
Back to 2mcctv Video Surveillance
MOSCOW, September 2 (RIA Novosti) - The authors of a new administrative reform to fight corruption have chosen such means as restricting officials' contacts with businessmen outside state institutions and video surveillance. Experts described the initiative as humiliating and hopeless in a respected business daily on Friday.
Vedomosti wrote that the Trade and Economic Development Ministry had prepared the concept of the 2006-2008 reform. Its authors said Russia was situated in the last third of the World Bank's rankings of 209 countries in terms of the main indicators of state governance quality. In 2004, Transparency International, a non-government organization seeking to combat corruption, put Russia in 90th place among 146 countries in its corruption perception index.
Surveys conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Foundation reveal that 71% of Russians are negative about the work of state officials, and 76% have encountered corruption. "The system of state governance has become a factor restricting the country's further successful development and full use of its potential," the new concept said.
There will be no total surveillance, says one of the authors, Mikhail Dmitriyev, head of research at the Center of Strategic Studies, a Moscow-based think tank. This measure is needed when risks are high: in tax and customs bodies, as well as in agencies dealing with state purchases and managing state property.
Arkady Volsky, the head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, a business-friendly association, described video surveillance of officials as "absurd" and suggested that now two bribes would be given: one to the official and the other to the observer. A representative of an automobile company said that if officials were unable to visit, for example, plants, they would know little about the industry they regulated.
Alexander Romanov, a representative of the Alcohol Producers Committee, described the initiative as "humiliating for both businessmen and officials," but said he was ready to work in front of cameras if the reform was adopted.
"This is the wrong answer to a real problem," said Miklos Marschall, Transparency International's regional director for Europe and Central Asia. If the measure is adopted, "important decisions will be made outside offices, while performances for the inspectors will be staged in front of cameras," he said.
Back to 2mcctv Video Surveillance
MOSCOW, September 2 (RIA Novosti) - The authors of a new administrative reform to fight corruption have chosen such means as restricting officials' contacts with businessmen outside state institutions and video surveillance. Experts described the initiative as humiliating and hopeless in a respected business daily on Friday.
Vedomosti wrote that the Trade and Economic Development Ministry had prepared the concept of the 2006-2008 reform. Its authors said Russia was situated in the last third of the World Bank's rankings of 209 countries in terms of the main indicators of state governance quality. In 2004, Transparency International, a non-government organization seeking to combat corruption, put Russia in 90th place among 146 countries in its corruption perception index.
Surveys conducted by the Russian Public Opinion Foundation reveal that 71% of Russians are negative about the work of state officials, and 76% have encountered corruption. "The system of state governance has become a factor restricting the country's further successful development and full use of its potential," the new concept said.
There will be no total surveillance, says one of the authors, Mikhail Dmitriyev, head of research at the Center of Strategic Studies, a Moscow-based think tank. This measure is needed when risks are high: in tax and customs bodies, as well as in agencies dealing with state purchases and managing state property.
Arkady Volsky, the head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, a business-friendly association, described video surveillance of officials as "absurd" and suggested that now two bribes would be given: one to the official and the other to the observer. A representative of an automobile company said that if officials were unable to visit, for example, plants, they would know little about the industry they regulated.
Alexander Romanov, a representative of the Alcohol Producers Committee, described the initiative as "humiliating for both businessmen and officials," but said he was ready to work in front of cameras if the reform was adopted.
"This is the wrong answer to a real problem," said Miklos Marschall, Transparency International's regional director for Europe and Central Asia. If the measure is adopted, "important decisions will be made outside offices, while performances for the inspectors will be staged in front of cameras," he said.
Rapid Technological Advances in Object Tracking and Image Analysis to Drive Video Surveillance Equipment Markets
Rapid Technological Advances in Object Tracking and Image Analysis to Drive Video Surveillance Equipment Markets
LONDON, /PRNewswire/ -- Following the tragic 7/7 bombings and the subsequent failed bomb attacks on London, the importance of video surveillance equipment such as digital video recorders (DVRs) and closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) has never been more apparent.
Although manufacturers of surveillance equipment have had to cope with unfavourable public attitudes towards surveillance equipment and their encroachment on individual privacy, these attacks only reinforce the need for such equipment on buses and public transport systems that are most vulnerable to terrorist attacks.
Europe already leads the way in the number of CCTV installations in the world. However, with the market approaching maturity, manufacturers need to offer added features such as facial recognition, digital video and intelligent video software to sustain revenues.
"Currently, London has approximately four million cameras in use and the ratio of camera to people is estimated to be one camera for every fourteen people. The smaller cities and towns in Britain are no exceptions, although the ratio there is much lower," observes Frost & Sullivan (http://autoid.frost.com) Senior Research Analyst Soumilya Banerjee.
The European video surveillance equipment market generated revenues worth US$2.36 billion in the year 2003 and is expected to grow at a 6.0 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to reach US$3.55 billion by 2010.
A shift in demand from digital to IP-based security systems that permit remote monitoring is expected to be one of the major causes for the increase in revenues during this period, followed by the rise in demand in eastern European countries such as Poland, Croatia, Latvia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria among others.
Improvement in image quality and analysis is another area that manufacturers are focusing on to drive uptake of CCTVs. In fact, the incorporation of algorithms has made it possible for CCTV systems to send out alerts before or during the initiation of a crime and ultimately assist concerned authorities in taking immediate action.
"It is expected that developments in chip technology will also eliminate undesirable interference in the images, resulting in far superior picture clarity," explains Mr. Banerjee. " Cameras in future can be expected to be able to capture more number of pixels and also allow operators to zoom in on particular elements of interest while retaining high picture resolution."
Another area of focus gaining popularity throughout Europe is the video motion anomaly detection (VMAD) system, which has a preloaded algorithm to help users study the movement of pixels within the image. These smart cameras can also identify objects that are partially or completely hidden from view for a certain period of time.
Some manufacturers are also working on intelligent cameras with non-lethal weapons that have the ability to lock on their target, measure the distance and shoot if the target is within a range of 50 feet. These cameras are expected gain acceptance in extremely high security and high-risk areas such as prisons or covert government research facilities.
Although the acceptance of smart cameras in the European market is highly promising, manufacturers need to solve the issue surrounding the false alarm rate (FAR). Dallmeier Electronics, Germany has developed the Self Educating Detector (SEDOR) that aims at reducing future FARs by incorporating movements in the field-of-view that have previously generated false alarms.
The European industry is likely to witness wide spread consolidation as competition intensifies and smaller companies try to catch up with major participants such as Panasonic, Bosch Security Systems, Sony Corporation, JVC, Tyco International, SeimenBT and Honeywell that account for 55.0 per cent of the market.
"Larger companies have acquired smaller ones that have faced rising manufacturing costs and falling margins with a view to acquiring new or niche technology or expanding into new geographical areas," says Mr. Banerjee.
In the future, as the emphasis on public safety increases, integration of DVRs with other technologies such biometrics is likely become a popular trend that would result in highly efficient security systems.
LONDON, /PRNewswire/ -- Following the tragic 7/7 bombings and the subsequent failed bomb attacks on London, the importance of video surveillance equipment such as digital video recorders (DVRs) and closed circuit televisions (CCTVs) has never been more apparent.
Although manufacturers of surveillance equipment have had to cope with unfavourable public attitudes towards surveillance equipment and their encroachment on individual privacy, these attacks only reinforce the need for such equipment on buses and public transport systems that are most vulnerable to terrorist attacks.
Europe already leads the way in the number of CCTV installations in the world. However, with the market approaching maturity, manufacturers need to offer added features such as facial recognition, digital video and intelligent video software to sustain revenues.
"Currently, London has approximately four million cameras in use and the ratio of camera to people is estimated to be one camera for every fourteen people. The smaller cities and towns in Britain are no exceptions, although the ratio there is much lower," observes Frost & Sullivan (http://autoid.frost.com) Senior Research Analyst Soumilya Banerjee.
The European video surveillance equipment market generated revenues worth US$2.36 billion in the year 2003 and is expected to grow at a 6.0 per cent compound annual growth rate (CAGR) to reach US$3.55 billion by 2010.
A shift in demand from digital to IP-based security systems that permit remote monitoring is expected to be one of the major causes for the increase in revenues during this period, followed by the rise in demand in eastern European countries such as Poland, Croatia, Latvia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria among others.
Improvement in image quality and analysis is another area that manufacturers are focusing on to drive uptake of CCTVs. In fact, the incorporation of algorithms has made it possible for CCTV systems to send out alerts before or during the initiation of a crime and ultimately assist concerned authorities in taking immediate action.
"It is expected that developments in chip technology will also eliminate undesirable interference in the images, resulting in far superior picture clarity," explains Mr. Banerjee. " Cameras in future can be expected to be able to capture more number of pixels and also allow operators to zoom in on particular elements of interest while retaining high picture resolution."
Another area of focus gaining popularity throughout Europe is the video motion anomaly detection (VMAD) system, which has a preloaded algorithm to help users study the movement of pixels within the image. These smart cameras can also identify objects that are partially or completely hidden from view for a certain period of time.
Some manufacturers are also working on intelligent cameras with non-lethal weapons that have the ability to lock on their target, measure the distance and shoot if the target is within a range of 50 feet. These cameras are expected gain acceptance in extremely high security and high-risk areas such as prisons or covert government research facilities.
Although the acceptance of smart cameras in the European market is highly promising, manufacturers need to solve the issue surrounding the false alarm rate (FAR). Dallmeier Electronics, Germany has developed the Self Educating Detector (SEDOR) that aims at reducing future FARs by incorporating movements in the field-of-view that have previously generated false alarms.
The European industry is likely to witness wide spread consolidation as competition intensifies and smaller companies try to catch up with major participants such as Panasonic, Bosch Security Systems, Sony Corporation, JVC, Tyco International, SeimenBT and Honeywell that account for 55.0 per cent of the market.
"Larger companies have acquired smaller ones that have faced rising manufacturing costs and falling margins with a view to acquiring new or niche technology or expanding into new geographical areas," says Mr. Banerjee.
In the future, as the emphasis on public safety increases, integration of DVRs with other technologies such biometrics is likely become a popular trend that would result in highly efficient security systems.
surge in the number of surveillance cameras in Washington D.C.
surge in the number of surveillance cameras in Washington D.C.
There has been a surge in the number of surveillance cameras in Washington D.C. in the last year. In most cases, cameras are hidden from view or disguised so as to be undetected by those passing by the camera's gaze. Some cameras can swivel to locate you, zoom in, and intrude unsuspectingly on your personal space. Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) has grown significantly from being used by companies to protect personal property to becoming a tool used by law enforcement authorities for surveillance of public spaces. After the September 11th attacks, US policymakers and security and intelligence services are increasingly turning toward video surveillance technology as the answer to terrorist threats and the public's demand for security. However, important questions need to be addressed before uncritically accepting the routine surveillance of public spaces, including whether video surveillance is an effective remedy for crime prevention and deterrence and whether it is an appropriate security measure in terms of civil liberties protections.
Video surveillance is more prevalent in Europe than it is in the United States. Evidence from Europe, however, suggests that the benefits of CCTV are significantly overstated. In the past decade, successive UK governments have installed over 1.5 million cameras in response to terrorist bombings. While the average Londoner is estimated to have their picture recorded more than three hundred times a day, no single bomber has been caught. Despite this evidence, in the United States, current anti-terrorist fears, combined with the surge in road rage, the perception of an increase in crime, and several high-profile school shootings, are causing many to call for increased video surveillance not only on highways, in schools, public parks and government buildings, but in all public spaces.
EPIC has recently launched a project, "Observing Surveillance," which documents the surge in the number of video cameras placed in DC's public spaces. Some of the arguments invoked by law enforcement authorities to justify their use of video surveillance are that it helps prevent crime and that there is no expectation of privacy in public spaces. Evidence, however, has shown that video surveillance cameras have limited, if any, effects on crime prevention. In most cases, surveillance merely enhances people's sense of security rather than their actual physical security. There is, thus, concern not only about the amount of images and information collected, but its uses and the length of time it is retained. Many also question whether this surveillance impinges upon free speech and freedom of association – especially when it is used to monitor political protests and rallies. There is a strong need for clear procedural guidelines and legislation that addresses the effectiveness, purpose, and usage of video surveillance, as well as the sharing and retention of the individuals' images recorded, and that provides for penalties and public oversight.
Friday, September 26, 2008
video surveillance and access control systems go hand in hand.
video surveillance and access control systems go hand in hand.
Still we do not see much of integration fo the both any thoughts?
In building security video surveillance and access control seems to go hand in hand. Still it is upto the owner to make this integration happen.
any thoughts in this regard? how the industry can make this easier and cheaper for the end customer
Bill Kreger
Commercial Security Consulting Professional !!!All LinkedIn Invitations are Welcomed!!!
I think the main reason for this is strictly a money issue. Most companies recognize need for the additional security but their budgets won't allow them the extra security
Machine Vision Guru
Yves Daoust
I imagine that so far the videosurveillance and access control businesses were markets on their own. Probably profitable enough. As Shivaji points out, it takes an integration effort to build a solution that combines both technologies.
There can indeed be a great synergy between them. You probably spotted a new niche.
- Yves
J Shivaji shivaji.linkedin@gmail.com
General Manager - Middle East India Africa, IDtech - www.idtech.eu
Good question.
We are in the business of design, development and manufacture of software & hardware for Access Control, Alarm Monitoring, Visitors Management etc since 1985 with 5000+ customers in more than 40 countries. We specialize in Access Control systems and we work with a number of CCTV manufacturers to integrate our systems with theirs. This is a focus and strategy related issue. Integration is always not necessary especially with professional systems like ours considering the basic requirements are normally available. Higher level integration is needed for special high security and / or large projects wherein customer is willing to pay the price. If observed most of the big manufacturers of CCTV systems also have their products for access control and have interfaces as ready to deploy solution. But this feature many a times make the overall project cost higher because of proprietary protocols or indispensable single platform solution. Customers end up paying more if they are not looking at all the features offered by such "integrated" system as well make them depend on single vendor which is no more an acceptable business policy.
Manufacturers like us would certainly like to be identified as specialists in our chosen business at the same time offering necessary interface / integration development services for third party or complementary products such as surveillance. Considering the emerging new trends in CCTV market, we would soon be launching an API SDK for integration by the installers / partners.
Hope this info helps.
Thank you,
Best regards,
Shivaji.
Steve Nettles
CEO, Access Security Technology, Inc.
Need/Cost/Implementation
1. Need: Does the customer need the ability to use both technologies in their business environment?
2. Cost: Usually too high initially.
3. Implementation - integration between access and video depends on a couple of core issues. Mainly the access systems' ability to run and support the video drivers from the various manufacturers. Most access systems can support Pelco, Honeywell, Samsung and a few others. However, once you get past the well known manufacturers the support drops off. If you can not integrate the different access and video systems currently running on the customer premise - its a difficult sell to convince the customer to scrap their security infrastructure and start over.
Marta Cerezo
Sales Manager Spain&Portugal at IndigoVision
Video s a key information piece for any other security subsystem, for this reason is quite natural that it is in the CCTV monitoring system where we consolidate alarm and access control information, so for example a notification of an non authorised entry card triggers the camera at that place to the attention of the operator.
We've seen this need in the market and as CCTV IP manufacturers provide an extremely easy and quick (and cost free for developers) way to integrate in our system thirdy part control systems. Also, we have alredy developed integration modules to 16 different systems in the market with which the integration takes just some minutes!
And this can be managed and view from any part of the world, and from as many points simultaneously as desired and without aditional costs per site.
If you need more information, don't hesitate to contact me
Marta Cerezo
IndigoVision
Further to my previous comments, there are few companies which specialize in development of single platform wherein components from multiple manufacturers are hooked up. One such companies is Entelec and there are many more from UK, Europe who provide freedom to customers. For example a customer using JC ACS, Pelco CCTV, Novar FAS etc can decide to use Skywalker to add access control system from IDtech -Belgium, FAS from Simplex, CCTV from Bosch etc and still achieve the purpose without tying up with single vendor.
The customer is the decision maker and in my experience of over 8 years in building automation and security, the integrated system requirements have cropped up less than 10%. General integration such as driving through programmable I/Os is quite common.
Hope the info helps.
Cheers,
Shivaji.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
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Share knowledge and experience about security and surveilllance industry
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Tuesday, September 16, 2008
CCTV - From Analog to Digital Video:
CCTV - From Analog to Digital Video:
Applications and Advances in Surveillance
CCTV - From Analog to Digital Video:
Applications and Advances in Surveillance
October 20-23, 2008
New Orleans, Louisiana
A lot has changed since 1942
Hard to believe it’s been that long since this technology was used the first time. The fact that these systems have become not only an integral part of today's physical security program, but a tool used by law enforcement and private security forces as well, makes keeping current nonnegotiable. Explore what’s on the horizon at this intermediate-level program—an exciting, intense combination of technology- and applications-focused presentations.
This education-packed program focuses on video systems, video analytics, video system management, and systems installation best practices—just to mention a few. Everyone stands to benefit from staying up-to-the-minute: corporate security directors, casino security operators, security installation specifiers, maintenance superintendents.
This program is a must-attend for anyone using
or designing a video surveillance system!
https://www.asisonline.org/store/program_detail.xml?id=80680587#benefits
http://www.cradle.com
Applications and Advances in Surveillance
CCTV - From Analog to Digital Video:
Applications and Advances in Surveillance
October 20-23, 2008
New Orleans, Louisiana
A lot has changed since 1942
Hard to believe it’s been that long since this technology was used the first time. The fact that these systems have become not only an integral part of today's physical security program, but a tool used by law enforcement and private security forces as well, makes keeping current nonnegotiable. Explore what’s on the horizon at this intermediate-level program—an exciting, intense combination of technology- and applications-focused presentations.
This education-packed program focuses on video systems, video analytics, video system management, and systems installation best practices—just to mention a few. Everyone stands to benefit from staying up-to-the-minute: corporate security directors, casino security operators, security installation specifiers, maintenance superintendents.
This program is a must-attend for anyone using
or designing a video surveillance system!
https://www.asisonline.org/store/program_detail.xml?id=80680587#benefits
http://www.cradle.com
Sunday, September 14, 2008
What to look for in a Security system in this internet era?
Security of any business is becoming a critical factor to improve your business operations. If an incident occurs, the security guards are your first level decision makers with limited information and authority. Decision makers are informed after a time delay with little and with very little details available. Failure to meet the needs of growing multi-location businesses or executives on the move is one of the major investments.
Same time how to select proper Video Surveillance System for your business is a major concern. Indian market is flooded with Taiwan, Chinese, Korean and Some Indian products and there are multiple options available to choose from. Usually, when you go to a vendor selling security products you do not know what to ask for and one might end up with a wrong product.
Product technology has transitioned from old days CCTV camera to latest sophisticated
IP Based intelligent Video Surveillance systems (Networked Video Surveillance Systems). As market is enjoying the Benefits of internet and IT as whole, now a lot could be expected our of the security systems fitted in your facility.
IP camera systems are good entry level option. If you’re your need one or two camera and would like to monitor remotely IP cameras are nice choice. There are multiple varieties are IP cameras in the market.
But for multiple camera systems , IP cameras do not stream video over the Internet properly. So your need is for more than one camera then you should know that these are the factors that you should consider and ask the vendor the right questions and then make a wise decision according to your budget and requirement.
You should go for a networked surveillance system even if you do not have an internet connection because you can view it locally anyways and you have the option of connecting it to the internet for remote viewing anytime in future. Since the price difference between the traditional CCTV and networked Video Surveillance Unit will be only about 20% more. You will spend on the cameras and wiring any ways.
What you should look in a security product - that is advanced CCTV or Video Surveillance System
1. Storage capacity of DVRs– Make sure your systems provides you adequate days and months of storage for all of your cameras.
2. Secure Access - The IP Video Surveillance System should provide Secure Access – when you are accessing you location over the internet it should have secure access over the VPN (Virtual Private Network). So that there is less or no possibility that anybody can hack your location and get visibility into your facility, shop or business.
3. Extensible Storage - The IP Video Surveillance System should provide Extensible Storage. One should be able to add the storage so that one can save the important data for multiple days or months as required. Also one should be able to save such data over the LAN at different location for security reasons. One should be able to have the option of having extendible Storage through NAS and RAID.
4. Scalable -The networked Surveillance System should be Scaleable and should be able to add local and remote cameras. So the system should be scalable to add cameras and also the storage via NAS and RAID.
5. Different Types of Cameras Support - You might need to use night vision and PTZ cameras. The networked surveillance system should support PTZ cameras and also one should be able to operate the cameras over the Internet and should be able to Pan and Zoom the camera.
6. MPEG4 and H.264 Industry Standard Compliant - The Networked Video Surveillance should be built using the industry standards of MPEG 4 and H.264. One should pay attention to this because many companies might claim to have these but in reality one should see that they are following the standards because this will save you in operating costs and you will need less storage and disk space.
7. Adaptation to Local Internet Band with - The Networked Video Surveillance should adapt to available Internet band with and should not be rigid. If this feature is not there then you will not be able to watch the video at all on fluctuating Internet band with. This will help you to get access from anywhere and anytime.
8. Viewing Multiple Videos over the net in Real Time- If all the above mentioned technologies are used in the product then one should be able to see multiple videos streaming real time on 256 Broad band connections or even on 126 Kbps wireless connections to the laptop.
9. Dynamic DNS Support - The Networked Video Surveillance should provide Dynamic DNS support. This will save you running cost of purchasing Static IP and also many Internet providers especially in developing countries do not proved static IP.
10. Inter-operability over different platforms - Inter-operability with various clients Apple, PDAs, Windows and Linux. So you should be able to access your premises on various types of mobile and stationary equipment and also over multiple technology platforms.
11. Video Management Software - The networked Surveillance System should give have Intelligent video management software that gives administrative rights at various levels so that the owner can assign the appropriate access rights to the appropriate person.
12. Intelligent UPS support – The system should turn off safely when the power supply goes off and it comes on UPS.
13. Preserve latest video in case of sudden power loss- the networked Surveillance System should be able to save the latest data when sudden power loss happens.
14. Local Supply and Support – The system should have local supply and support.
15. Warranty- Make sure that the CCTV, DVR or NVSS has one year warranty and that they will give you the new unit if there is a problem with in one year and you should be able to purchase extended warranty for less than 25% of the product value. This is important because the system can fail and you can loose all your investment in less than a year.
16. User Manual- User Manual should be available with the product. If somebody is purchasing a card and building a system on a cheap computer this may not be there.
17. The system should have the capability and option to record only on motion to save on hard disk and avoid unwanted recording.
18. The system should raise an alert when the camera is not working or is being disconnected for any reason.
19. The system should generate alerts via emails and / or SMS when there is motion and on intrusion or user defined events.
20. Also make sure that the system will work with your existing wiring and cameras so you do not have to incur that cost again if you are replacing your old CCTV unit. You may end up replacing some old cameras with the better cameras and might want to use some night vision or PTZ cameras according to your need.
As you can see that it is not easy to select the proper CCTV (networked) or Networked Video Surveillance System. There is a lot of choice and price range in the market.
We wish you all the best. If you are in mid-market (6 to 64cameras) or higher market (100 +and looking for a Solution can send you a list of products that we recommend. Send us an email at videosurveillance1@gmail.com.
Same time how to select proper Video Surveillance System for your business is a major concern. Indian market is flooded with Taiwan, Chinese, Korean and Some Indian products and there are multiple options available to choose from. Usually, when you go to a vendor selling security products you do not know what to ask for and one might end up with a wrong product.
Product technology has transitioned from old days CCTV camera to latest sophisticated
IP Based intelligent Video Surveillance systems (Networked Video Surveillance Systems). As market is enjoying the Benefits of internet and IT as whole, now a lot could be expected our of the security systems fitted in your facility.
IP camera systems are good entry level option. If you’re your need one or two camera and would like to monitor remotely IP cameras are nice choice. There are multiple varieties are IP cameras in the market.
But for multiple camera systems , IP cameras do not stream video over the Internet properly. So your need is for more than one camera then you should know that these are the factors that you should consider and ask the vendor the right questions and then make a wise decision according to your budget and requirement.
You should go for a networked surveillance system even if you do not have an internet connection because you can view it locally anyways and you have the option of connecting it to the internet for remote viewing anytime in future. Since the price difference between the traditional CCTV and networked Video Surveillance Unit will be only about 20% more. You will spend on the cameras and wiring any ways.
What you should look in a security product - that is advanced CCTV or Video Surveillance System
1. Storage capacity of DVRs– Make sure your systems provides you adequate days and months of storage for all of your cameras.
2. Secure Access - The IP Video Surveillance System should provide Secure Access – when you are accessing you location over the internet it should have secure access over the VPN (Virtual Private Network). So that there is less or no possibility that anybody can hack your location and get visibility into your facility, shop or business.
3. Extensible Storage - The IP Video Surveillance System should provide Extensible Storage. One should be able to add the storage so that one can save the important data for multiple days or months as required. Also one should be able to save such data over the LAN at different location for security reasons. One should be able to have the option of having extendible Storage through NAS and RAID.
4. Scalable -The networked Surveillance System should be Scaleable and should be able to add local and remote cameras. So the system should be scalable to add cameras and also the storage via NAS and RAID.
5. Different Types of Cameras Support - You might need to use night vision and PTZ cameras. The networked surveillance system should support PTZ cameras and also one should be able to operate the cameras over the Internet and should be able to Pan and Zoom the camera.
6. MPEG4 and H.264 Industry Standard Compliant - The Networked Video Surveillance should be built using the industry standards of MPEG 4 and H.264. One should pay attention to this because many companies might claim to have these but in reality one should see that they are following the standards because this will save you in operating costs and you will need less storage and disk space.
7. Adaptation to Local Internet Band with - The Networked Video Surveillance should adapt to available Internet band with and should not be rigid. If this feature is not there then you will not be able to watch the video at all on fluctuating Internet band with. This will help you to get access from anywhere and anytime.
8. Viewing Multiple Videos over the net in Real Time- If all the above mentioned technologies are used in the product then one should be able to see multiple videos streaming real time on 256 Broad band connections or even on 126 Kbps wireless connections to the laptop.
9. Dynamic DNS Support - The Networked Video Surveillance should provide Dynamic DNS support. This will save you running cost of purchasing Static IP and also many Internet providers especially in developing countries do not proved static IP.
10. Inter-operability over different platforms - Inter-operability with various clients Apple, PDAs, Windows and Linux. So you should be able to access your premises on various types of mobile and stationary equipment and also over multiple technology platforms.
11. Video Management Software - The networked Surveillance System should give have Intelligent video management software that gives administrative rights at various levels so that the owner can assign the appropriate access rights to the appropriate person.
12. Intelligent UPS support – The system should turn off safely when the power supply goes off and it comes on UPS.
13. Preserve latest video in case of sudden power loss- the networked Surveillance System should be able to save the latest data when sudden power loss happens.
14. Local Supply and Support – The system should have local supply and support.
15. Warranty- Make sure that the CCTV, DVR or NVSS has one year warranty and that they will give you the new unit if there is a problem with in one year and you should be able to purchase extended warranty for less than 25% of the product value. This is important because the system can fail and you can loose all your investment in less than a year.
16. User Manual- User Manual should be available with the product. If somebody is purchasing a card and building a system on a cheap computer this may not be there.
17. The system should have the capability and option to record only on motion to save on hard disk and avoid unwanted recording.
18. The system should raise an alert when the camera is not working or is being disconnected for any reason.
19. The system should generate alerts via emails and / or SMS when there is motion and on intrusion or user defined events.
20. Also make sure that the system will work with your existing wiring and cameras so you do not have to incur that cost again if you are replacing your old CCTV unit. You may end up replacing some old cameras with the better cameras and might want to use some night vision or PTZ cameras according to your need.
As you can see that it is not easy to select the proper CCTV (networked) or Networked Video Surveillance System. There is a lot of choice and price range in the market.
We wish you all the best. If you are in mid-market (6 to 64cameras) or higher market (100 +and looking for a Solution can send you a list of products that we recommend. Send us an email at videosurveillance1@gmail.com.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Do you think a mobile Networked Video Surveillance is a useful device in Ambulance, Bus or car?
Mobile networked Video Surveillance System for Ambulances and buses and cars is going to be necessary in near future.
Comments (8)
Matthew Huskins
Applications and Estimation
Yes, it will be an area of integration for cities with metro wide CCTV systems in place, for school and metro buses it will be for internal security, for ambulances, parking violation enforcement vehicles and patrol cars it will be LPR, which can integrate GPS. if an Amber Alerts is issued these systems can pull in data that has been collected and give coordinates for the vehicle last known place,
Posted 7 days ago
Matthew Huskins
Applications and Estimation
Genetec's AutoVu mobile and fixed LPR solution http://www.genetec.com/english/solutions/autovu/mobile.aspx
Posted 7 days ago
Jaya Patil
Advanced Networked Video Surveillance Systems Provider- (NVSS) - Next version of CCTV and DVR
hello,
Do visit our website at www.cradle.com and look at our mobile solution.
We are just launching the solution first in India and then expanding.
http://www.cradle.com/mobile_dvr.html
Regards
Tao zhou
System developer at Aberdeen Techinical Services, UK
mobile video surveillance is an expanding area but the main issue I think is streaming speed. It is probably not good enough if the viewer can only see a "slide show".
Posted 4 days ago
Jesse Frye
Regional Sales Manager (West) for March Networks
Yes, mobile solutions have proven to be valuable on businesses and of course in police cars. I can see the value in Ambulance, but in private automobiles I just do not see the value until we can reduce the cost of mobile units. But then comes the problem with privacy issues when installing them in private vehicles. March Networks has done a pretty good job lately in this market, and also have light rail and freight train products, which have been extremely valuable to the train companies.
Posted 4 days ago
Mike Juge
Video Surveillance Systems Architect, Project and Business Manager
thinking a little outside of the box, Sprint has one of the faster networks for data, EVDO. I'm still not convinced it's that great, but you can stream 2-3fps depending on file size. With that said, a mobile unit that can take advantage of the cell system where EVDO or comparable network is in place and has good coverage, and can sniff for lost connections to self-heal, has a very high value and market for school systems, as well as municipal and law enfocement. Video can be transmitted with minimal latency (defined as 2-8 seconds over a cell system) to central offices. The networks will only get better, adding to the value of the system.
Mattew Huskins and I live in Tornado Alley, and we are already seeing this technology in action with the new stations where the storm chasers are sending live video at 5-8fps over satellite to the news stations for live broadcast. The company that designed and supplies this equipment has developed the same capabilitys over the EVDO network.
The mobile Telemed applications are enourmous. 1st responders can use the system to transmit data to secondary teams for a quicker and more precise situation evaluation and shorten response times to get the proper personnel and equipment on the scene. Hospitals can use the video to monitor the EMT's activities and iinteractions with the patient in the ambulance while in route.
The benefits for disaster teams would save lives, time and money by having the same accelerated situation analysis capabilities.
Just some thoughts.
Posted 4 days ago
Tao zhou
System developer at Aberdeen Techinical Services, UK
There are plenty of "Mobile DVR" available these days. They are compact version of the standard DVR with special case (shock absorbing) and high recording frame rate (to record video with fast moving background). However they only record video from the on board cameras. Some Mobile DVR has got option of GPRS transmission but I never seen one in action.
Does anyone know a mobile system that uses W-CDMA to transfer video? How good is it?
Posted 3 days ago
Rachel Khanna
Management Consultant at Cradle Technologies
Many police cruisers are already implementing this technology with great success. Buses are showing a real need for this, especially school buses to monitor students. Ambulances would probably benefit the most though, increasing response time and accuracy as one of the other posts mentioned.
Posted 1 day ago
Mobile networked Video Surveillance System for Ambulances and buses and cars is going to be necessary in near future.
Comments (8)
Matthew Huskins
Applications and Estimation
Yes, it will be an area of integration for cities with metro wide CCTV systems in place, for school and metro buses it will be for internal security, for ambulances, parking violation enforcement vehicles and patrol cars it will be LPR, which can integrate GPS. if an Amber Alerts is issued these systems can pull in data that has been collected and give coordinates for the vehicle last known place,
Posted 7 days ago
Matthew Huskins
Applications and Estimation
Genetec's AutoVu mobile and fixed LPR solution http://www.genetec.com/english/solutions/autovu/mobile.aspx
Posted 7 days ago
Jaya Patil
Advanced Networked Video Surveillance Systems Provider- (NVSS) - Next version of CCTV and DVR
hello,
Do visit our website at www.cradle.com and look at our mobile solution.
We are just launching the solution first in India and then expanding.
http://www.cradle.com/mobile_dvr.html
Regards
Tao zhou
System developer at Aberdeen Techinical Services, UK
mobile video surveillance is an expanding area but the main issue I think is streaming speed. It is probably not good enough if the viewer can only see a "slide show".
Posted 4 days ago
Jesse Frye
Regional Sales Manager (West) for March Networks
Yes, mobile solutions have proven to be valuable on businesses and of course in police cars. I can see the value in Ambulance, but in private automobiles I just do not see the value until we can reduce the cost of mobile units. But then comes the problem with privacy issues when installing them in private vehicles. March Networks has done a pretty good job lately in this market, and also have light rail and freight train products, which have been extremely valuable to the train companies.
Posted 4 days ago
Mike Juge
Video Surveillance Systems Architect, Project and Business Manager
thinking a little outside of the box, Sprint has one of the faster networks for data, EVDO. I'm still not convinced it's that great, but you can stream 2-3fps depending on file size. With that said, a mobile unit that can take advantage of the cell system where EVDO or comparable network is in place and has good coverage, and can sniff for lost connections to self-heal, has a very high value and market for school systems, as well as municipal and law enfocement. Video can be transmitted with minimal latency (defined as 2-8 seconds over a cell system) to central offices. The networks will only get better, adding to the value of the system.
Mattew Huskins and I live in Tornado Alley, and we are already seeing this technology in action with the new stations where the storm chasers are sending live video at 5-8fps over satellite to the news stations for live broadcast. The company that designed and supplies this equipment has developed the same capabilitys over the EVDO network.
The mobile Telemed applications are enourmous. 1st responders can use the system to transmit data to secondary teams for a quicker and more precise situation evaluation and shorten response times to get the proper personnel and equipment on the scene. Hospitals can use the video to monitor the EMT's activities and iinteractions with the patient in the ambulance while in route.
The benefits for disaster teams would save lives, time and money by having the same accelerated situation analysis capabilities.
Just some thoughts.
Posted 4 days ago
Tao zhou
System developer at Aberdeen Techinical Services, UK
There are plenty of "Mobile DVR" available these days. They are compact version of the standard DVR with special case (shock absorbing) and high recording frame rate (to record video with fast moving background). However they only record video from the on board cameras. Some Mobile DVR has got option of GPRS transmission but I never seen one in action.
Does anyone know a mobile system that uses W-CDMA to transfer video? How good is it?
Posted 3 days ago
Rachel Khanna
Management Consultant at Cradle Technologies
Many police cruisers are already implementing this technology with great success. Buses are showing a real need for this, especially school buses to monitor students. Ambulances would probably benefit the most though, increasing response time and accuracy as one of the other posts mentioned.
Posted 1 day ago
Networked Video Surveillance is actually a lifestyle product that will make your life better and you can monitor many business affairs remotely?
Networked Video Surveillance is actually a lifestyle product that will make your life better and you can monitor many of your business affairs remotely. Is that true in your opinion?
Enterprise Regional Sales Manager at Verint
Like many technologies, Networked Video Surveillance can be quite a blessing. Whether home or business, it makes a lot of sense to have the capability. The danger is companies setting the expectations that just because they have a connection to the DVR, NVR, or other, doesn't mean they will see video at 30FPS 4CIF (or heaven forbid, megapixel!).
D Chandler
Consultant at BCSS
I agree. Network video enables remote monitoring so people have an option not to travel miles away to check their premises, businesses, etc... and then spend more time on those work requiring intelligence instead of on travelling. Great.
Posted 1 day ago
Pete Carletti
Distributor Sales at TOA Electronics, Inc.
Not only can Network Video Surveillance let you monitor, but from a business perspective, it greatly enhances the ability for more effective/cost effective operations management - people, products, marketing merchandising, etc.
Posted 13 hours ago
Jaya Patil
Advanced Networked Video Surveillance Systems Provider- (NVSS) - Next version of CCTV and DVR-
seeing is believing and when the upper management or owner has a 24 by 7 visibility in what is going on at his office or facility that certainly gives him peace of mind and has total control on the multiple locations at the same time and that certainly will increase the lifestyle of a person giving him confidance that everything is in order at his work place and he can do that from anywhere and anytime.
Also he can improve his business processes remotely.
Enterprise Regional Sales Manager at Verint
Like many technologies, Networked Video Surveillance can be quite a blessing. Whether home or business, it makes a lot of sense to have the capability. The danger is companies setting the expectations that just because they have a connection to the DVR, NVR, or other, doesn't mean they will see video at 30FPS 4CIF (or heaven forbid, megapixel!).
D Chandler
Consultant at BCSS
I agree. Network video enables remote monitoring so people have an option not to travel miles away to check their premises, businesses, etc... and then spend more time on those work requiring intelligence instead of on travelling. Great.
Posted 1 day ago
Pete Carletti
Distributor Sales at TOA Electronics, Inc.
Not only can Network Video Surveillance let you monitor, but from a business perspective, it greatly enhances the ability for more effective/cost effective operations management - people, products, marketing merchandising, etc.
Posted 13 hours ago
Jaya Patil
Advanced Networked Video Surveillance Systems Provider- (NVSS) - Next version of CCTV and DVR-
seeing is believing and when the upper management or owner has a 24 by 7 visibility in what is going on at his office or facility that certainly gives him peace of mind and has total control on the multiple locations at the same time and that certainly will increase the lifestyle of a person giving him confidance that everything is in order at his work place and he can do that from anywhere and anytime.
Also he can improve his business processes remotely.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Cell phone videos accepted by 911
Police departments in New York have taken a new stance with technology at the forefront. 911 calls or emergency calls, will accept text messages, photographs taken on cell phones or videos from cell phones.
The procedure would be as follows:
1. When someone calls in, the dispatcher will take the details of the crime and assign a special code to the report if there are pertinent photos or videos taken by the caller
2. A detective will call the person with instructions on how/where to send the information
This highly increases the chances of criminals being caught in the act since the chances of being caught on civilians' cell phone videos or photos are much greater. The beauty of this is that these new rules lean on the everyday patterns of New Yorkers (text messaging and videos).
Cradle's NVSS has a superior quality video especially when its streaming over the internet. Through the CradleWatch software, you are able to view extremely high quality video on your PDA or cell phone.
The procedure would be as follows:
1. When someone calls in, the dispatcher will take the details of the crime and assign a special code to the report if there are pertinent photos or videos taken by the caller
2. A detective will call the person with instructions on how/where to send the information
This highly increases the chances of criminals being caught in the act since the chances of being caught on civilians' cell phone videos or photos are much greater. The beauty of this is that these new rules lean on the everyday patterns of New Yorkers (text messaging and videos).
Cradle's NVSS has a superior quality video especially when its streaming over the internet. Through the CradleWatch software, you are able to view extremely high quality video on your PDA or cell phone.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Surveillance helps charge 3 German terrorists
Surveillance is getting a lot of media attention lately, primarily to determine how effective it is in fighting crime. Many cities are now re-thinking their plans for more surveillance systems.
To address this, I would like to highlight an example in the news just after the labor day weekend. 3 Terrorists from Germany who were arrested last year for planned terrorist plots, have been charged with participation in foreign and domestic terrorist organizations as well as planning major bombing attacks in large German cities.
Their hope was to emulate the nightclub bombings in Bali, Indonesia to force German forces out of Afghanistan.
Surveillance tapes had recorded the suspects discussing plans to bomb a nightclub, with the hope of killing as many American tourists and German people as possible. Upon arresting the suspects, materials for making large bombs were found at the homes of these suspects.
Critics complain of the high cost of surveillance system and how they are not as useful as promised in fighting crime. But what is the value of hundreds of lives that were saved from multiple bombs, targeted at major cities?
To address this, I would like to highlight an example in the news just after the labor day weekend. 3 Terrorists from Germany who were arrested last year for planned terrorist plots, have been charged with participation in foreign and domestic terrorist organizations as well as planning major bombing attacks in large German cities.
Their hope was to emulate the nightclub bombings in Bali, Indonesia to force German forces out of Afghanistan.
Surveillance tapes had recorded the suspects discussing plans to bomb a nightclub, with the hope of killing as many American tourists and German people as possible. Upon arresting the suspects, materials for making large bombs were found at the homes of these suspects.
Critics complain of the high cost of surveillance system and how they are not as useful as promised in fighting crime. But what is the value of hundreds of lives that were saved from multiple bombs, targeted at major cities?
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
How can a security system improve my revenues?
One would tend to think that security systems are there to protect your business assets from being stolen or from fraud from occurring. These statements indicate some of the benefits of a typical security system.
But these days, the industry has undergone tremendous changes to the point where security systems are now used as a tool for BUSINESS information. What do I mean by that? Well, here are a few examples.
1. Imagine you are a manager of a bank. Yes, you need a security system to monitor high traffic areas in the bank, you want to guard against thieves at the ATM machines and you want to view your vault to ensure nothing is being taken. However, did you think of the fact that a security system while doing all of these things can also:
-monitor customer service levels (eg. what is average wait time for a customer)
-observe employees for how well they abide by bank procedures
-figure out the busiest times of the day/week/month and staff your branch accordingly
2. You own a retail shop with 3 other locations. You are primarily concerned with the safety of your inventory however you can also:
-monitor the increase in customer traffic after a new marketing/ad campaign
-figure out the highest traffic areas in your store so you can display your promotional material to the largest number of people
-help resolve customer disputes
-remotely monitor all 4 locations from the comfort of your own home/office or while traveling anywhere in the world!
These are only a few of the ways that Cradle's NVSS can help you go beyond security to increase your bottom line!
But these days, the industry has undergone tremendous changes to the point where security systems are now used as a tool for BUSINESS information. What do I mean by that? Well, here are a few examples.
1. Imagine you are a manager of a bank. Yes, you need a security system to monitor high traffic areas in the bank, you want to guard against thieves at the ATM machines and you want to view your vault to ensure nothing is being taken. However, did you think of the fact that a security system while doing all of these things can also:
-monitor customer service levels (eg. what is average wait time for a customer)
-observe employees for how well they abide by bank procedures
-figure out the busiest times of the day/week/month and staff your branch accordingly
2. You own a retail shop with 3 other locations. You are primarily concerned with the safety of your inventory however you can also:
-monitor the increase in customer traffic after a new marketing/ad campaign
-figure out the highest traffic areas in your store so you can display your promotional material to the largest number of people
-help resolve customer disputes
-remotely monitor all 4 locations from the comfort of your own home/office or while traveling anywhere in the world!
These are only a few of the ways that Cradle's NVSS can help you go beyond security to increase your bottom line!
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