A few thoughts about night outdoor video surveillance

Over the years, I have had the opportunity to examine the effectiveness of night video surveilance: in using night time video surveillance during my past work as a private detective, as a consultant to end users, and as a security expert in civil litigation.  Leaving out my own use of the technique, the common thread I have found - and still do find - is the failure of those using video for night time surveillance to update their equipment.

Video surveillance, whether used in real-time reporting or as an event information capturing system, is only as good as the equipment being used.  As simple fact statement, but one which often seems to be ignored.

In the old days of security video - the mid-eightys  to the end of the ninetys, I produced many forensic videos shot during the dark hours, both during clear and not so clear nights.  Ambient lighting and/or the range of camera lights, plus whatever digital low lux capabilty the video camera had to be figured in to allow me to push the viewing distances as much as possible.

Today’s cameras solve many of those problems for the user. Low light cameras with the ability to extend readable distance 300 yards or more are available at reasonable cost. Outdoor light systems for outdoor premises of industrial, commercial, and institutional video subjects are plentiful.

You may have some great motion activation software for you surveillance cameras, but if they can’t see what they should, you are just wasting your time - and money.

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Is there a problem with the current Brink’s TV ad?

If you watch network TV, or cable or satellite television, you have probably seen the recent Brinks advertisement - the one showing this guy awakened by the sound of an alarm - then running to see what’s going on, only to see a person breaking through his front door.

If you’re knowledgeable about security, you probably understand what’s not good about this ad - if you are not, then drop me a note at joec@cgroup.com to find out what I’m talking about

Siege Mentality - the New Awareness

In the 1970s, Oscar Newman’s work on preventing crime in multi-dwelling buildings in Staten Island/New York produced a pretty good set of standards for similar premises in today’s world, albeit with a bit of new technology added. And over the past three decades, the idea of having a “siege mentality” was something that was looked at with some derision. I believe we all thought that really building a moat around your castle wasn’t a necessary task.

It seems, however, that those “innocent days” are behind us.  What with a growing number of home robberies (or home invasions, as they are euphemistically called), some multi-dwelling locations have become prime examples of siege mentality.

An article in today’s paper describes what has been done in Los Angeles. The Steel Plaza senior retirement complex has been designed to be “drive-by (shooting) proof”, using an elevated courtyard with high walls.  An earth bunker to shield visitors from possible drive-by shootings has been built in a local park, and a single parent residential facility has apartments above ground level (remember some history - residents of London, and possibly other town in 1600 England, lived on the second floor of their homes, with a “busybody mirror” set outside of a window so people at their doors could be seen), security cameras at all entrances, and a courtyard surrounded by buildings..

Times sure are changing, and architects, who have not always paid a lot of attention to security, appear to have finally realized that there is a real need for security in certain high risk demographic locations.

Granted, already established single and multi-dwelling locations may not be able to fortify their local neighborhood with these modern moats, but everyone should find a reasonable way to secure their homes. It is a cryin’ shame, however, that initiatives such as those taken in the Los Angeles neighborhoods are necessary - but the fact is they do exist, and taking intelligent security steps to protect yourself and your family is not only reasonable but necessary .

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Security - an Attitude which has a cumulative effect

If you stop to think about it, security awareness in your personal life spills over to your business and political considerations.

As an example, people who live in multi-dwelling buildings believe they are extra safe because there is a doorman and other staff working in the building. Business owners believe they are secure just because they have an alarm and a contracted responder company.Many citizen/voters believe we will be safe if we act nice to other countries.

Each of these attitudes towards security come from the individual’s personal feelings and perceptions. Unfortunately, even though that combined attitude may make a person or business feel good, it demonstrates a fear of examining reality.

Perceived security as oppose to real security is no security. Wishing to be safe and secure - hoping that you are safe and secure - are the dreams of fools.

Take an active role in your security process. Make sure that what is being done is reasonable and has a high preemption/denial/deterrence value.

Security is your responsibility. Some folk believe that all security should be turned over to others - the government or the private sector. Letting either control your security without your input - delegating to others duties which are yours alone, or delegating duties without oversight - is also dangerous to your welfare.

Therefore it is imperative that you understand what security is - how it affects your life - how it should function - so that you may know when actions taken are or are not in your own best interest.

for more security information, visit http://jcsl2s.com

Procedures Manuals Are Important

SOPs for in-house security organizations sometimes tend to be ignored. I know that it has been said that not having a policy can be helpful when the organization is a defendent in civil cases, but reasonable thinking would dictate that some form of a standard operating procedure should exist.

There’s no question that having a security procedure manual creates a bit of work - after all the manual has to be read by all security personnel, and has to be revised on a regular basis - if not all, then certainly those parts which are demonstrated, in real time, to have a need for revision. Too often, however, the manual gathers dust in the security office, nobody reads it after the first reading by new security officers, and maybe it is reviewed and revised following a lawsuit against the company.

Which is really amazing - here we have an department designed to protect the company, but one which fails to make sure all of its procedures are up to date and followed by line and staff personnel. Talk about “broken windows”…!

Real Preemptive Security is What We Need

The subjects of these blogs will vary - from personal and business security issues, to whatever interests I have - praises, rants, and comments on the current scene.

I’ve been around a long time, seen a lot of things, and have been involved in a wide variety of activities, enterprises, etc. So maybe I have something to say about which you’ll approve, or get annoyed - but heck, that’s what blogging is all about.

So as a start, you should go over to http://jcsl2s.com, the opening page of my security web suite, where you will find links to my other blogs and podcasts.