A Beginner’s Guide to Remote Viewing Video

Did you know that you can watch security camera footage from your laptop or smartphone?

You can expand your home or business security with remove viewing video. This service allows you to remotely view security surveillance cameras.

Typically you can watch security camera footage in real time via a computer or a smartphone. Remote video viewing can help enhance your security. There are several remote viewing video options.

Here are the most popular.

• Video Only Viewing – With this option, you can only watch video in real time. This option does not include any recording features. It uses the internet to connect you into the security camera feed.

• Camera Recording and Live Viewing – Here you can watch video in real time and also record video on the security camera’s memory card. With this option, you are typically limited in the amount of video that you can record.

• View and Record on a Server – With this version, the video is typically recorded on a hard drive located on site or offsite. You can store more recorded video with this option. You also can remotely watch live video.

• View and Record in the Cloud – With this option, you can watch live and record video on remote servers operated by an outside company. With this option, you don’t have to worry about server maintenance and upkeep. You’ll want to make sure that you have a company that has reliable servers and great customer service.

With any of these options, it’s very important to talk with a security professional.

At Hue & Cry Security Systems, we can help you select the best remove video viewing options. We help homeowners and business owners with all of their security needs. To find out how we can help you, call us today at 800-762-3196 or visit www.HueAndCry.com.

Survey Shows Video Alarm Technology Helps Law Enforcement

Law enforcement officials love the ability of video or CCTV as a crime-fighting tool, according to a survey published by Security Sales and Integration and Police Magazines.

Police departments and Sheriff’s offices like the technology’s ability to assist in identifying suspects and the way they contribute to more apprehensions.

Officials also believe more arrests could be made responding to video intrusion alarms that verify a crime in progress rather than traditional, non-verified systems. Four out of five law enforcement officials surveyed say video verification of intrusion alarms would convince them to endorse placing a higher priority on response.

The survey shows law enforcement believes video alarm technology to be a significant asset in fighting criminal activity.

The survey, 2011 Law Enforcement and Alarm Relationship Study, is published periodically by the two magazines mentioned above.

See the 2006 study results here.

See the 2003 study results here.

If you need help with video alarm technologies, include video verified alarm response, CCTV and security camera surveillance systems, contact Hue & Cry Security.

How Detroit Caught 60 Criminals In 6 Weeks At Construction Sites

Case study on how outdoor video alarm systems prevent lots of crime and security system false alarms.

Due to the recession, the city of Detroit closed lots of its public schools in 2009. As the old schools were scheduled for remodeling or demolition, reports of vandalism and theft began to pop up.

Like most cities, the school construction sites in Detroit were easy targets for crime. That’s because the only thing that’s typically standing between a criminal and valuable property at a construction site is a fence.

According to the National Insurance Crime Bureau, close to $1 billion are lost every year because of theft and vandalism at construction sites.

In Detroit and other parts of the country, this billion-dollar problem extends well beyond construction sites.

Businesses and organizations all across the country are looking for cost-effective ways to protect property at outdoor sites.

• In cities: Local businesses are looking for ways to protect vacant buildings and stores.

• In neighborhoods: Schools and churches are looking for ways to protect against vandalism.

• In rural areas: Local farms are looking for ways to protect equipment and anhydrous tanks.

So what’s the solution?

Back in Detroit, the city found a cost-effective answer to this problem thanks to Videofied. This security system manufacturer designs outdoor video alarm systems that decrease false alarms and improve police response times from a few hours to a few minutes.

When the city of Detroit started using the Videofied system, there were 60 arrests made within the first six weeks of use. The construction sites are no longer targets for vandals and thieves. Here’s how it happened.

How Videofied Works

Detroit saw a significant reduction in property crime because the Videofied system catches criminals in the act.

The average police response time to a standard security alarm is anywhere between 45 minutes and 1 hour. With Videofied, police in Detroit respond immediately. Here’s why:

• Motion Detection: When motion is detected, security cameras are activated.

• Video Recording: A 10-second video is recorded and sent to a monitoring station.

• Monitoring Station: If the monitoring station sees criminal activity on the video, police immediately are notified.

This innovate process catches criminal acts while they’re happening. Because the criminal act is verified, police will immediately respond.

This verification process also eliminates false alarms, saving your company from hundreds and sometimes even thousands of dollars in fines.

How Businesses Are Using Videofied To Protect Property

Here’s what helped Detroit police make 60 arrests in six weeks and protected the school construction sites.

Videofied security systems can be set up just about anywhere. That’s because the security system uses wireless signals.

Whether it’s on the streets of Detroit or on a farm in rural California, there are no limits. The system can operate up to four years on one set of batteries. It also can work in extreme temperatures (-20 degrees F to +140 degrees F).

Here are some other areas where outdoor video alarm systems can successfully be used:

• Construction Sites: Protecting against copper, tools and machinery theft.
• Stores And Restaurants: Protecting against vandalism and theft in outdoor areas.
• Schools And Churches: Protecting against afterhours vandalism around school and church property.
• Farms: Protecting against theft of farming equipment and anhydrous tanks.
• Utility Companies: Protecting power stations from people stealing copper and other precious metals.
• Events: Protecting outdoor festivals and events where temporary security is needed afterhours.

These are just some of the areas you can use this system. Because the system is wireless, it can be used just about anywhere.

What Type Of Results Are Businesses Getting?

There are success stories all over the country involving outdoor video alarm systems.

As noted earlier, the city of Detroit saw 60 arrests in six weeks. To date, the number of arrests has expanded to more than 100. Here are some other success stories:

• In California, a gang was stealing thousands of solar panels from wineries across Napa Valley. The crime spree had cost businesses more than $400,000. When police installed the outdoor video alarm system, they were able to catch the gang of thieves.

• In Arizona, an outdoor video alarm system was responsible for 40 arrests in four months.

• In Georgia, a roofing company had more than $23,000 of goods of stolen. After getting an outdoor video alarm system, police were alerted during the next heist. The thieves were scared away and the company has not had any thefts since.

The Security Mistakes You Don’t Want To Make

For every story of success, there are stories where the criminal is never caught. Property is lost. And businesses learn valuable lessons.

Here are some security mistakes you won’t want to make if you’re looking to protect property in a remote area or at an outdoor site.

• You Rely On Fences: A fence is a great first line of defense for protecting a construction site or anything outdoors. However, it’s easy for criminals to break through this first line of defense.

• You Use Security Lighting: Security lighting is great for areas where people are nearby. But security lighting doesn’t make a difference in remote areas where no one is around.

• You Get Guard Dogs: Dogs are better as pets. Keeping aggressive dogs on the site that you want to protect is a liability. The dogs could get lose and bite someone. It’s a lawsuit waiting to happen.

• You Hire A Guard Service: Guard services give the appearance of protection. However many services do not stay on the site the entire time. They have other locations to monitor. Guard services that stay on site the entire time are very expensive.

• You Use Indoor Security Equipment: Indoor surveillance cameras and DVR equipment can be very expensive to protect an outdoor location for a short period of time. It’s also very difficult to install on remote sites.

Avoiding these mistakes will keep your property safe and help you avoid a lot of headaches down the road.

What Are The Benefits Of Outdoor Video Alarm Systems

There are several important reasons why you should consider using an outdoor video alarm system. These reasons include:

• Quick Response Time: Because a central monitoring station watches video feeds 24/7, police are immediately notified of criminal activities. This improves police response time from hours to minutes.

• No False Alarm Fines: Because a central monitoring station is viewing the triggered alarms via video feeds, police will not be dispatched to false alarms. This saves your company money in fines that you would accumulate with standard security systems.

• Easy Installation: These systems are easy to relocate and install. There are no wires and installation can be done faster than traditional indoor security systems. This ensures your site will be protected as soon as possible.

• Reasonable Price: In comparison to other security options, using an outdoor video alarm system is a much more cost-effective option than using standard security equipment or hiring a guard service.

You Can Do This

It is possible to find an outdoor video alarm system that fits your budget. These systems are flexible and easy to use.

Whether you need an outdoor video alarm system for a construction site, a farm or a neighborhood event, you can’t go wrong with this type of security system.

It even has the backing of the National Sheriffs’ Association.

The National Sheriffs’ Association endorsed Videofied’s outdoor video alarm system. In their report, the association said the Videofied system is one of the most reliable outdoor video alarm systems on the market. The report also said Videofied significantly reduces property crime.

We’re Here To Answer Your Questions

At Hue & Cry Security Systems, we have been helping businesses protect their property for years.

We have extensive experience keeping businesses safe and we’d be happy to answer any questions you have on outdoor video alarm systems.

Feel free to call us at 1-800-762-3196 if you’d like to learn more about outdoor video alarm systems. You can also contact us 24/7 on the Hue & Cry Contact Page.

Also don’t forget to become a fan on the Hue & Cry Facebook Page. There’s lots of exclusive information to help keep your business safe.

The Security Benefits of Video Surveillance Systems

We all know that camera surveillance systems are aids in helping to prevent shoplifting and catch shoplifters.

According to the National Learning for Shoplifting Prevention, approximately $35 million in goods are stolen each day from stores around the country. Security camera surveillance systems can help cut down on this astronomical number for several reasons:

• Visual Theft Deterrence: Security cameras are great visual theft deterrents.
• Observation & Identification: Security cameras can catch shoplifters in the act.
• Remote Video Management: Security cameras include remote system viewing and management.
• Digital Recording & Storage: It is easy to retrieve images and video from security cameras.

Just scan the news headlines and you’ll see security cameras play a major role in helping to catch shoplifters. Security cameras also help deter employee theft.

In addition to preventing shoplifting, security cameras are great tools to combat vandalism and fraudulent lawsuits.

Vandals will think twice before vandalizing a property with security cameras. Additionally, security camera video can be a helpful tool in defending your business against fraudulent personal injury lawsuits.

Today’s security cameras deliver high-resolution video with sharp images. Additionally, security camera development has made great advances in improving video quality at night when lighting is poor.

Should a crime occur, it is very easy to pull images from today’s surveillance cameras. Most systems allow you to retrieve images by date, time, camera or alarm. Many security camera systems allow you to print images and create evidence CDs on the spot for police.

To find out what surveillance system is right for your business, it is best to consult with a security systems specialist.

Stop Employee Theft By Setting The Right Policies

Setting up official policies to deal with employee theft is very important. One of the biggest threats to your business is employee theft.

The lack of rules and policies can do serious harm to your business. According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, employee theft costs businesses more than $50 billion a year. To help your business, here are some of the most important policies:

Employee Education – Explaining what constitutes employee theft, how to stop it, and what procedures must be followed by every employee is a must. By giving the proper training, you turn your employees into your own security team. Make sure that you make education sessions positive and explain how each employee benefits from preventing theft.

Check The Books – Conducting regular audits on areas that are likely to be targeted by theft is an important step to eliminating it all together. Regularly audit every area where money changes hands (purchasing, payroll, sales, etc.) even if you completely trust the people involved. Make some of these audits random so employees do not have time to cover their tracks.

Enforce Mandatory Vacations And Job Rotations – Many employee theft schemes are discovered only when an employee takes a sick day and someone else must fill in for them. By enforcing mandatory vacations and occasionally rotating people between departments, you prevent anyone from being able to hide what they are doing.

Support Employees – While it’s not a valid excuse, many employees feel justified in stealing because they feel the company wronged them. By supporting employees through tough times, treating them kindly and with respect, and setting management practices that encourage overall company profit, you will see a major decrease in theft and an increase in loyalty.

Create Reporting Programs – Make it easy for your employees to report theft and make sure that everyone knows exactly how to do it anonymously. Some companies have even had success offering small rewards to anyone who reports a serious instance of employee theft.

Choose Right Business Security Solution – A good business security system with access codes, alarms, and camera surveillance systems where necessary can make a big difference in stopping employee theft. While it’s not exactly a procedure, it should certainly be part of your security efforts.

Things To Consider When Buying Business Security Cameras

When buying security camera surveillance systems, it’s important that you understand exact what you’re getting and why you want it.

Some people have expectations for their camera surveillance systems that are simply not possible or would require a different type of system entirely. To prevent this, everyone should know what their cameras can and cannot do before deciding to buy them.

Know What You Want To Monitor – What areas of your business do you want to monitor with your security camera and how good does the quality need to be? Different cameras are good for different things and selecting the right one can make the difference between an effective system and a useless one.

Understand The Risks of Security Cameras – Security cameras provide an expectation of protection from people entering your business. That’s why fake security cameras can be a legal risk. If people expect protection but don’t get it, your business can suffer the consequences.

Let People Know You’re Monitoring Them – Part of the usefulness of security cameras is that they prevent people from committing crimes because they don’t want to be filmed. Use signs to make sure that your employees and customers are well aware of your security cameras.

Don’t Expect To Record Voices – In most areas, video recording is completely legal but recording conversations without someone’s permission is against the law. That’s why CCTV systems do not offer audio functions.

The Real Cost of Vandalism

Think that minor crimes, such as vandalism, aren’t a huge deal to your business?

Many business owners make the mistake of considering minor crimes to be a nuisance and not worth worrying about. After all, they reason, the costs of preventing these crimes will be greater than the cost of the crime itself.

This couldn’t be more wrong. The U.S. Small Business Administration estimates that the average cost of each case of vandalism to a small business is $3,370. This results in a loss of 13.5% of annual net profit for a small business making $500,000 a year in revenue, according to Dr. Martin Bressler, author of a study on business crimes and a professor at Houston Baptist University.

So the next time you’re thinking about what crime costs to your business, consider the real costs and, suddenly, that security camera surveillance system may seem like a lot better investment.

Common Myths about Employee Theft

Employee theft can cut significantly into profits and cause huge problems for any business that does not actively take steps to avoid it. Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths around employee theft that make it more difficult to detect and deal with.

Some of the most common myths about employee theft include:

Longtime Employees Are Too Loyal To Steal

Just because you’ve had an employee for a long time doesn’t mean that he or she isn’t stealing from you. We hear cases all the time about employees who have been with a company for more than 10 years and are suddenly caught with their hand in the till.

It could be that these employees have been stealing from you the whole time, or it could be that something in their life or in their attitude has changed. Whatever the case may be, the lesson is that no matter how well you think you know someone, they could be stealing from you behind your back.

Also remember that the longer they have been with the company, the more they know about how it works and the better they understand how to hide their tracks when doing something wrong.

Poor Customer Service Isn’t Theft

This myth is true in that technically, an employee giving bad customer service isn’t theft. However, for the sake of your business’ bottom line, it really should be!

Poor customer service is the fastest way to stop a customer from ever returning to your company. When an employee gives bad service, they might as well be taking money right from your wallet and giving it to your competitors!

It’s only by monitoring your employees using surveillance camera surveillance systems and immediately correcting issues can you stop this type of theft.

Bad Employee Productivity Isn’t Stealing

Like the previous myth, this one isn’t technically stealing but it can be just harmful. You’re paying a lot of money to employ people to do important jobs. If your employees are not doing the work that you’re paying them to do, they are no better than another employee stealing cash out of a register.

Only by monitoring employees carefully at all times can you make sure that they are doing what they are supposed to and not getting paid to do nothing.

Honest Employees Will Report the Dishonest Ones

Many businesses feel that their more honest employees will report any dishonest behavior immediately so they don’t have to worry about extra security measures. While this does happen from time to time, it’s not the norm.

Honest employees often don’t come forward because they fear being labeled as a rat or simply feel bad about getting another person fired. Relying on honest reporting is a great way to allow theft to continue as normal. Implementing business security solutions is the only method you should trust to stop theft.

Common Business Security Myths

There are a lot of myths out there about business security solutions that leave many businesses vulnerable to fraud, robberies, and even employee theft. These common myths, that may seem harmless at first, can lead to major problems that are not easily repaired.

Here are some of the most common myths:

People Only Sue Big Companies with Fraudulent Claims

We’ve all heard the stories about people suing McDonalds because their coffee is too hot, or someone claiming to have broken their neck in a major retail outlet when really they are completely fine. But what about smaller companies, are they ever really sued with fraudulent claims?

This myth makes the claim that people only sue large businesses because that’s where the money is at. Unfortunately, the reality is that small and mid-sized businesses are also regularly targeted with fraudulent claims. The worst part is that these businesses are much more vulnerable because they can’t afford expensive lawyers and a large settlement could put them out of business.

Shoplifting Only Happens In Low Income Areas

This is a common and completely untrue myth that claims that people in richer areas are much less likely to be stolen from than in poorer areas. Unfortunately, the facts show that expensive stores in fancy shopping malls are just as likely to be stricken by shoplifters as anywhere else. Additionally, since the products they sell are so much more valuable than in lower end stores, there is an added incentive to steal.

Vendors Keep Perfect Records and Are Completely Honest

Many people don’t ever consider vendors a potential source of shrinkage when looking at where they are losing money. For some reason, while businesses are quick to blame customers or even employees, the activities of the vendors are seen as beyond suspicion.

The truth is that vendor fraud is estimated to account for 5.2% of overall shrinkage. It’s important that you watch your vendors carefully to prevent theft.

People Only Steal Inventory and Cash

The reality is that there are a lot of ways that people can harm your business without actually taking something physical.

Without proper business security systems and camera surveillance systems, customers can make false injury claims, employees can “under ring” sales or not work when they should be, and vendors can make errors that hurt your bottom line. When tracking what your company is losing from theft, be sure that you can measure all of the damage, not just the physical loss.

Top 5 Reasons Your Restaurant Needs Security Cameras

1. Stop Employee Theft: Strategically placed security camera surveillance systems significantly lower employee theft, which is so common in an industry known for high turnover rates.
2. Protect Customers and Employees: Security cameras act as a deterrent against robberies and break-ins and help to prosecute those who do attempt to steal from you.
3. Avoid Liability and Fraud: By recording everything that goes on within your restaurant, you can protect your bottom line against fraudulent injury claims.
4. Offer Remote Access for Managers: Many security cameras let managers monitor their stores from any computer. This allows you to know the store is running smoothly even while you’re not around.
5. Make Customers Feel Safe: People are much more likely to visit a store where they feel safe. By using visible security cameras, you provide customers with the peace of mind that keeps them coming back.