Hotel Security Cameras Are a Good Investment

When you think of surveillance systems as part of a business, hotels may not be the first establishments that come to mind. Even so, anyone who has ever stayed in a hotel has more than likely seen security cameras placed in hallways, doorways, recreational areas such as gyms and swimming pools, and at the front desk. In fact, you've probably seen security camera monitors that allow guests and staff alike to see what is going on at given moment in the hotel, right there at the front desk.

When guests check into a hotel, they want to know they can trust the staff to provide them with an overnight stay that is as comfortable and secure as their own homes. The more effort you put into proving your hotel's safety to your guests, the more competitive you become and the more business you attract. Visible cameras are one of the easiest and least expensive ways to to earn trust, a positive reputation, and repeat business. Not only will a quality Security Camera System give your guests peace of mind, but they will keep them safe, as well.

Let's face it. Crimes such as vandalism, theft, and assault are on the rise in cities all throughout the United States. Not only do visible security cameras make would-be criminals think twice about committing their crimes, but in the event that a crime does occur, footage from security cameras can help law enforcement agencies identify and track down a suspect and can even be used as evidence to eventually prosecute a suspect in court. Cameras placed around entrances and exits allow hotel staff and law enforcement to get a good look at every single hotel guest and any other people who are entering the building.

Safety and security aren't the only ways surveillance systems can help keep your hotel running smoothly. Cameras placed behind the scenes, in areas such as storage rooms, supply closets, and maintenance areas, will allow you to keep an eye on your employees. Every manager would like to think they've hired the most trustworthy people to work for them, but sometimes someone is able to slide through the cracks and sometimes good people use bad judgment. In the event of an accident or any type of dispute, whether it's an employee or guest, a security camera system may help determine what exactly happened and who is to blame.

Any reputable hotel should have a quality security camera system. For more information or to get a Hotel Camera Security Quote visit our website at CameraSecurityNow.com or call 877-422-1907.

Courthouse Security Cameras

In January of this year, a man named Johnny Wicks lost a Social Security claim in Las Vegas. A few months later, Wicks walked into a federal courthouse in Las Vegas, pulled a gun from his jacket and began shooting, killing a court security officer and injuring a deputy United States marshal. Wicks was chased, shot, and killed outside of the courthouse by federal marshals and law enforcement agencies were able to take surveillance video from the building to check to be sure he was the only gunman.

Disturbances like this are not a daily occurrence in courthouses, but they certainly do happen, and often times, they are very violent and even deadly. Tensions are high in court and this can often lead to disruptions, fights, and even in some cases, shootings. This is one reason why placing security cameras in your courthouse is absolutely necessary.

Courthouse Security Cameras have been known to:

-Prevent Violence: When a would-be criminal knows they are being watched by security cameras, they are less likely to commit a criminal act.

- Protect Employees: When an incident such as the shooting mentioned above does occur, courthouse employees are usually the first ones to get hurt. From judges to security staff, there have been any number of incidents that involve courthouse employees being injured or killed and if security cameras are being monitored, sometimes violence can be prevented.

- Provide Evidence: In the event your courthouse does host violence or other criminal activity, when security cameras are rolling, they are more-than-likely recording footage of the incident(s). This footage can be used, not only for law enforcement to release pictures and videos to the media, in an effort to catch a suspect, but in court to prove the suspect actually committed the crime.

If you are planning to install security cameras in your courthouse and need some help deciding where to put them, there are a few things to keep in mind. Check out the tips below before having your cameras installed:

- Place cameras where you don't already have security. If you already have other security measures in place, such as security officers or guards, place your cameras in areas where those measures aren't as effective.

- Have you had past incidents in your courthouse? Do they occur in certain areas? Are your courtrooms often subject to violence or maybe you have a courtyard area that is often subject to vandalism? These are areas that definitely require security cameras.

- Placing cameras at all exits and entrances is a great idea because you are able to capture images of anyone who enters and leaves your courthouse.

- Lobbies, hallways, and other areas where many people may gather at once usually attract violence because of the sheer number of people around. Criminals can blend in or inflict harm on many people at once.

- Cameras inside the courtroom are also a must. Tensions are high and people often learn their life's fate in these rooms. No one knows how someone could react to that news.

- Cameras should be placed outside your courthouse, as well as inside. Disputes often happen outside a courthouse where two opposing parties may confront one another. Also, vandalism can be a problem in parking lots, courtyards, rest areas, and any other area outside your courthouse.
Check out these related stories:
1. Nevada Security Cameras
2. Government Security Cameras

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Looking for a DVR or NVR Security Camera System? If so call today at 877-422-1907 x226 for a free phone consultation.

Surveillance Cameras for Pharmacies

Any type of retail outlet or health care facility should have surveillance cameras for a number of reasons. A pharmacy combines both of those worlds, so it's even more important that a pharmacy be protected by quality security cameras. Pharmacies contain an inventory of items that are expensive and in high demand, and that makes security an even bigger issue.

Your pharmacy's security cameras can serve a number of purposes. Cameras placed at key locations can protect your staff and your customers from harm. They can deter would-be criminals and catch any sort of illegal, criminal activity. When a crime is caught on camera, police are able to release video to the public or use it in other ways that may lead to an arrest. Also, video footage can provide an objective witness in the event it is needed for a court case.

Cameras may also help keep your prices low and competitive. Pharmacies often have a problem with stolen stock, due to the nature of their inventory. Stolen drugs can drive up prices and even eventually run you out of business.

When you do decide to purchase a surveillance camera system for your pharmacy, there are a few things to consider. What is the size of your store? Are you located in a large retail store or are you in your own building? Is your pharmacy freestanding or are you part of a strip mall or other building? How do your customers receive their drugs? Do you have a drive-through service or do all transactions take place at the counter? Do you already have any type of security in place? An alarm system, other cameras, or a guard, for example? Maybe you want to compliment what you already have or maybe you are starting from scratch. Also, you'll want to consider any type of problems you've had in the past. Do you find a certain aisle always has missing inventory? Does your drive-through always fall prey to hold-ups or other incidents?

Once you've answered these questions, you'll want to keep a few things in mind while installing the cameras. You'll want to place your cameras where every customer you serve is caught on video, both at the counter and the drive-through if you have one. You need to be sure you catch every person's face on camera and if you do have a drive-through, catching their license plate numbers on camera can also serve you well. Just be sure you are protecting well-meaning customers' medical information private. You'll also want to monitor areas where you keep drugs in storage or discard unneeded items. These areas are very attractive to thieves who are looking to get drugs they are unable to get without a prescriptions.

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Looking for a DVR or NVR Security Camera System? If so call today at 877-422-1907 x226 for a free phone consultation.

Montana Law Enforcement Praises High-Quality CCTV

Butte-Silver Bow Police Captain Doug Conway says security cameras make his job a lot easier. "Video is a great source of evidence to investigators," he told the Montana Standard.

Recently, a burglar broke through a glass door and left RD's Party Shop, in Butte, Montana, with as much beer and as many cigarettes as he could fit in his hands. The man had no idea that a security camera was pointed at him. Police were able to release images of the suspect to the media and the man was quickly apprehended. That's the forth break-in the store has been subject to in four months.

But just because a store has a security camera, doesn't mean there will be an arrest. Often times, stores purchase poor, cheap equipment and then once it's installed, poor placement and bad lighting can leave law enforcement scratching their heads. "Business owners should think about spending the extra money to get a better system," Conway told the paper. High quality images can lead to better identification of facial features and other details, and often times can help identify even license plate numbers on a get-away car.

Some blame the recession for recent increases in crime; as more people lose their jobs and life savings, they're more willing to turn to theft to feed their families and their habits. As crime becomes more and more of an issue, business-owners in Montana are becoming more and more concerned about protecting their property and their employees at all costs.

But buying a quality surveillance system is just the first step. As Conway suggested, cameras need proper placement. For example, a camera placed too high will only get you pictures of the top of the thief's head. Considering most criminals wear masks and hoods, that's not going to help officials identify the person. It's also a good idea to keep your system updated and to keep up with the latest technology. Roy Morris, the owner of RD's Party Shop in Butte, said he likes to upgrade his system every three to four years.

Boston's Green Line Trolleys to Get Security Cameras

According to the Boston Globe, the Massachusetts Bay Transit Authority (MBTA) will be putting security cameras on the Green Line trolleys as part of a safety initiative. Funded with $500,000 from the Department of Homeland Security, a pilot program that allows the MBTA to test the cameras on the underground trolleys will begin soon. The goal is to increase security on Boston's transit system by allowing Transit Police the opportunity to monitor the system in real time.

"Our hope is that the cameras will be able to be viewed in a police cruiser, so that an officer responding to a call will have real-time viewing of what is happening on the scene," Chief Paul Macmillan said in a statement last week. Cameras are already installed on the city's more than 300 buses and subway stations and according to MBTA spokesman Joe Pestaturo, police have used video from the cameras in nearly 500 investigations.

"Since we’ve installed the closed-circuit television system, we’ve had great success using it to solve crimes and identify offenders. We think this enhances awareness on what is happening on our transit system and on the train," MacMillan told the Globe. He also stated that the ability to use the cameras to keep the public safe outweighs some groups concerns of privacy.

The installation of the cameras in the trolleys will be a two-phase operation. Phase one will begin later this year and it see that two trolleys are equipped with four cameras a piece. Phase two will do the same for three more trolleys.

Citizens told the Boston Globe they welcome the extra protection. "If people know there is a camera on the train, it will prevent them from doing something wrong," one man said.