Construction Site Security Cameras help prevent crime like property damage and theft. They also help business owners and managers identify areas of inefficiency in their operations.
Look for smart cameras with features like scheduling and two-way audio to communicate with people outside your home. Many also include motion detection, which can distinguish between movement from cars, animals, and inanimate objects to minimize false alerts.
When it comes to preventing crime, security cameras can help a variety of ways. For one thing, the mere presence of cameras can act as a deterrent, as criminals may think twice about breaking into a property if they know that surveillance is occurring there. In addition, video footage can be used in the event of a break-in to catch the perpetrators and bring them to justice.
Another way security cameras can prevent crime is by helping to monitor suspicious activity. If a camera sees something out of the ordinary, it can notify you and dispatch local law enforcement to investigate. This can save lives, as criminals may be stopped before they carry out a serious crime.
The effectiveness of security cameras in deterring crime is still a subject of debate, however. Some studies have found that the presence of cameras does not always act as a deterrent, while others report significant reductions in petty crimes in areas where security cameras are employed.
Having a clear protocol for checking and monitoring your security cameras is crucial in order to ensure that they are providing the best possible protection. This can be done by establishing protocols around who has access to the footage and when it is reviewed. It can also be helpful to have a clear policy for the handling of sensitive information, including personal data, that is collected by your cameras.
To make sure your security cameras are properly protecting you, you want to make sure they have a good field of view, meaning that they can capture a wide area and see any activity happening in the vicinity. You also want to choose a camera with the option for two-way audio, so that you can hear and speak to people on your property from a mobile app, if desired. You can also choose to go with a battery or wireless camera, although wired options tend to be more reliable. You should also consider whether you want the camera to be visible or discreet, as conspicuous cameras are more likely to be tampered with or stolen.
Preventing Fraud
In 2020, property crimes like theft and vandalism made up an overwhelming majority of the 8.9 million reported criminal incidents and cost businesses $17.2 billion. A security camera system can help protect your business from these types of crimes by capturing footage that can serve as evidence in the event of a crime.
Additionally, by making it crystal-clear that you’re recording, a surveillance camera can deter criminals from attempting crimes at your place of business in the first place. This is particularly true when you pair your cameras with signs that clearly state, “Smile—you’re on camera.”
If a would-be thief does attempt a theft or vandalism at your business, your surveillance system will provide valuable, real-time video proof that can help law enforcement track and apprehend them. The quality of the images you record is also important. Blurry or pixelated footage is useless and can only make matters worse. Look for high-definition or HD cameras, or even better, a 4K model. Also, consider a camera that uses Power on Ethernet, or PoE, to deliver power through the same wires as data—this will simplify your wiring and cut down on installation costs.
Security cameras can also be a great tool for monitoring employee behavior. Employee theft can be a serious problem for many businesses, and a security camera can provide the evidence you need to nip it in the bud. In addition, employees are less likely to cheat or commit other violations if they know that they’re being monitored.
Lastly, surveillance cameras can also assist with workflow monitoring. It’s not uncommon for an insurance claim or lawsuit to be filed against a business due to improper working conditions. Security cameras can document every square foot of a facility, keep a record of existing conditions and record worker activities—helping to reduce the chances of frivolous claims.
Many alarm companies also offer a feature called “video verification,” in which they give your security company temporary access to your livestream during an emergency—allowing them to see what’s happening and respond faster. This can be a good option to consider if you’re concerned about the reliability of your alarm company, especially if it isn’t local.
Keeping an Eye on Your Property
Security cameras give property owners a direct line of sight to their properties from anywhere with an internet connection. With a quick look at a smartphone, they can keep track of what’s happening on their property or in the area around it even while they are away for work or vacation. This round-the-clock monitoring helps to deter potential intruders and ensure that nothing slips through the cracks, thereby increasing property safety and security.
Most home and business security systems come with cloud video storage for easy access to recordings at any time. Some systems also feature integration with voice assistants like Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for additional control. Depending on the type of system you choose, you may be able to watch a live feed directly from your phone or smart device.
In addition to streaming and recording, many camera systems have a number of advanced features that can be used to improve security. For example, some cameras have person detection that automatically records when someone walks into the frame. Others, like the ecobee SmartCamera, take this one step further by using a panning function that moves to follow people as they move, ensuring that you don’t miss a moment of action.
Lastly, some camera systems allow for remote viewing from multiple devices at the same time. This can be particularly useful for a property management company that has a number of rental units. It allows you to check in on repair or maintenance workers while they are on the job without having to make a trip to your property.
There are some risks to having security cameras on your property, including the risk that they can be hacked. However, most professionally monitored systems and individual cameras from reputable developers are protected by high-end encryption that scrambles messages within the system and grants access only to authorized users. As long as you keep your software and app updates current, this should not be an issue.
Another risk is that you could get in trouble if the camera is visible from public areas, such as near a door or window. This is why it’s important to consider privacy laws and your jurisdiction before you decide to install outdoor cameras that are visible from the street or sidewalk.
Keeping an Eye on Your Employees
Security cameras can be a great tool to keep an eye on employees. This can help businesses monitor employee work behavior, ensure compliance with business policies and boost productivity. However, it is important to consider your state’s privacy laws as some employees may see surveillance as an invasion of their privacy.
Many cameras can support motion detection, which is a feature that triggers recording when there is movement on the camera’s scene. This can save you a lot of storage space and bandwidth, as it only records when there is a significant change in the scene. To reduce the amount of data the camera consumes, you can also set a “threshold,” which is the minimum level of movement that triggers recording.
Another useful feature of a security camera is video verification, which allows the monitoring center to check in on a live stream during an emergency and speed up police response time. This is usually only available for home security systems, but it’s a good idea to look for this option when shopping for your system.
When purchasing a security camera, it’s important to choose one with high-quality image clarity. Otherwise, the footage will be fuzzy and useless. It’s also a good idea to look for a camera that has night vision capabilities, as this will allow you to monitor the area even when it is dark. You should also consider whether the camera requires Wi-Fi, and if so, which frequency it supports. Most cameras only work on the 2.4 GHz frequency, so you’ll need to make sure your router is running on the same frequency or you will experience connection problems.
Some cameras can connect to your alarm panel and be controlled using the same app you use to control your lights, locks and thermostats. This makes them a convenient and cost-effective option for those who already have a smart home or want to upgrade their current security system.
If you decide to use a security camera to monitor your workplace, it’s important to be transparent with your employees about its existence. This will ensure that everyone is aware they are being recorded, which can help prevent workplace issues like bullying and sexual harassment. It will also show your employees that you care about their safety and well-being.