Soccer Mom Burglar Caught on Camera

When Rhonda Faye Rollinson broke into Ken Olson's Hall County, Georgia home one morning, she had no idea it would lead to her arrest. Olson is a security camera installer and often uses his own home to test the equipment he works with.

Rollinson had been dubbed the "Soccer Mom Burglar" by Atlanta-area media because Colonel Jeff Strickland of the Hall County Sheriff's Office said the clothing she wore while committing crimes could "fall into the 'soccer mom' category." The 41-year-old Rollinson was able to easily blend in with the other people in the neighborhoods where she was committing her crimes because of the way she dressed. Strickland said she "looked like a normal person."

Olson's home is equipped with eight security cameras and he says he can't believe Rollinson didn't see them. Her picture was caught on five of the eight. She entered the home through the basement window and exited through the front door and was only inside for a minute, long enough to steal a laptop. Olson turned the video over to detectives and because he was able to get pictures of both her face and her car, detectives were able to link her to previous burglaries in the area and eventually arrest her. She's being held without bond and has been charged with three counts of burglary. Her boyfriend, Benjamin Finley was also charged with theft by receiving and obstruction.

Tons of stolen goods such as digital music players, cameras, laptops, and guns were found in the woods behind the home where Rollinson was arrested. She has been linked to at least three burglaries in homes in the Flowery Branch, Georgia area, all of which she allegedly entered during daylight hours, while homeowners weren't home. She a previous arrest record for burglary from the 90's, and she was also accused of trying to run over one of her victims. More charges may be pending.

About half of the stolen property has been identified. If you're missing items that you think may have been stolen by the Soccer Mom Burglar, contact the Sheriffs Department's Criminal Investigation Division at 770-531-6879.

Meanwhile, Olson is proud of his security cameras and told local media, "It’s a comforting feeling to know that when you’ve been violated in that way that there’s some recourse, and that they can track them down with the video evidence." He was, however, disappointed that none of his eight surveillance cameras were able to catch Rollinson's car's license plate. Determined not to ever let that happen again, Olson has since installed a ninth camera that will catch video of all vehicles entering his neighborhood.

If you live in the Atlanta area or the state of Georgia and want to protect your home from crime, click here to learn more about Georgia Security Camera Installation.

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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.

Stupid Security Guard Caught on CCTV

One of the advantages of having security cameras in your business is having the ability to monitor employees and prevent employee theft. It's a proven fact that when employees know they are being watched by security cameras, they are more likely to give a better job performance. With this in mind, you would think a security guard of all people would know better than to commit a crime at his own place of employment. Not so for a man named Justin Hortz.

Hortz is a security officer at a convenience store in Australia. On Saturday, June 26, at 11:35 PM, a teenager and her boyfriend were in the store, shopping. At some point, the girl noticed her wallet was missing and she called local police. The police, along with store staff, viewed the security camera footage from when the girl was in the store and Hortz was immediately identified as the thief. He was off-duty at the time.

According to the camera footage, the girl put her wallet on the counter and when she wasn't looking, Hortz put his hand over it and slid it off the counter and into his pocket.

The wallet contained $110, as well as the girl and her boyfriend's personal identification. Hortz took the wallet to a local Domino's pizza restaurant, ordered a pizza and left the wallet in the restaurant. Police found it and returned it to the girl.

Hortz plead guilty, claimed he was very drunk, and was fined $500 for stealing the girl's wallet.

I'm not sure whether this story should be filed under "stupid employees," "stupid criminals," or both, but either way, it proves that having a quality surveillance system installed in your business can help prevent and solve crime.

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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.

Keep Your Construction Site Safe with Security Cameras

If you work in the construction business, you know theft can be a problem. It is estimated that nearly one billion dollars worth of construction equipment and materials is stolen each year. Without taking proper security measures, this number will continue to rise. Losing materials and equipment can delay your project, raise your insurance rates, and ruin your company's reputation. Fortunately, there is something you can do help protect your business: Construction Site Security Cameras.

Construction Site surveillance is a great option for resolving a number of issues, including theft and vandalism. In the long run, it can save you time and money, and make your company even more efficient. If your construction sites often fall victim to theft or vandalism, a security camera can help you catch the criminals who are causing you harm, as well as offer an idea as to how they are gaining access to your site and what you can do to stop this from happening again in the future. Not only that, but having cameras in place, constantly monitoring what's going on at your construction site can help settle disputes, monitor employees, and be used as the perfect witness in the event you find yourself in legal trouble.

If you've decided to purchase or install a video surveillance system, there are some things you should keep in mind. Here is a quick checklist for you to think about before making your purchase or having your cameras installed.

1. Consider a weatherproof security camera. Cameras that are keeping watch over construction sites are often placed outdoors. Rain, hail, wind, lightning and other damaging weather can do a number on your cameras if you choose the wrong type.

2. Keep cameras out of areas that could be damage by your machinery. Cameras are pretty resilient but they are no match for a bulldozer or other heavy equipment. Make sure you cameras are placed in areas where your machinery won't cause them any harm.

3. Place cameras in areas that are most vulnerable to crime. Do you have a certain area at your site that has suffered from vandalism or theft in the past? Is there an area that is vulnerable due to its location or openness? You'll want to consider putting cameras in these areas first.

4. Was there ever an incident that wasn't necessarily criminal but that you wish you could have caught on video? Maybe you had employees goofing off, maybe you had an inspector lie about something he or she saw. Consider these areas to be a high priority for placing cameras.

5. Do you already have some type of security? Maybe actual security personnel or some type of fence that would be nearly impossible for a criminal to get past. If so, these areas may not be first on your list to receive camera placements.

6. Do you leave supplies that would be easy to steal unattended overnight? If so, these supplies need to be monitored. Lumber, steel, and other raw materials can be very expensive to replace and can seriously delay your project.

7. What type of area is your construction site located in? Is it in a small rural residential area or a large suburban area? Be aware of the crime rates in your area. If your construction site is in a note so nice part of town, consider placing cameras around the entire perimeter to detect any and all intruders.

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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.

Shopping Malls Need Security Cameras

Shopping mall security cameras are almost common sense. Think about it. Malls attract some of the largest crowds of any other establishment. You have so many people in such a varied space and so much money being exchanged on a daily basis. It's the ideal location for criminals. Malls often have multiple levels, stores, restaurants, movie theaters and more. Buildings are large and in between them are open plazas, both outside and in. You also have areas where merchandise is stored and delivered. Not only are malls practically a "welcome" sign for criminals, they can present a challenge for anyone looking to help beef up security. One way to do that is with security cameras and monitoring systems. Below you'll find some tips on where, why, and how you should place your mall's cameras.

Where should you place your small security cameras?

Malls usually contain a variety of types of stores and even unique building shape. Because of this, deciding where to place your cameras can be a tough decision to make. Here are some things to think about.

1. Does your mall already have security personnel? Cameras should always first be places in areas they are not always monitored or easily accessed by human eyes. If you have a security team, consider placing your cameras where they can't be on the lookout 24/7.
2. Who is allowed where in your mall? Do you have areas that can only be accessed by employees? Do you have areas where truck drivers from all over the country are making deliveries? Are there parts of your mall, such as lounging areas or stairwells, where customers can easily hide to commit a crime?
3. Do you have a parking lot of deck? Because of the size of your mall, you probably have a lot of places for people to park. Parking lots are not often monitored and are ideal places for a criminal to steal cars, rob and even assault your customers or employees.
4. Are there any areas of your mall that are prone to theft or criminal activity? Maybe several people have been robbed in one of your stairwells or on a certain side of your parking lot. Maybe one particular store sees a lot of theft. Maybe your courtyard is often vandalized. Keep this in mind when deciding where to put your cameras.
5. Does your mall connect to any other types of public buildings, such a subway tunnel? Public transportation housing is a particularly busy area where just anyone can and will walk in, with the intent to cause harm to your mall.

Why do malls need security cameras?
With so many different types of buildings all in one location, malls are very attractive to would-be thieves. From huge parking lots full of cars to large retail shops full of goods, a security camera can help those in charge of a mall's security monitor for illegal activity, as well as aid in the investigation in the event of a crime. Cameras can also help deter such crimes. If a would-be thief sees a camera watching their every move, they may think twice about taking something. Also, the presence of a camera can prevent a petty crime from escalating into something major.

Customers feel safer when they are being monitored by quality security cameras and safe customers are happy customers. Also, you can prevent major lawsuits by catching incidents involving customers on video. Monitoring employees is another advantage to having security cameras in your malls. In 2004, employee theft alone cost businesses in the United States over 40 billion dollars. Don't let your mall become part of this statistic.

How to place your mall security cameras.
So You've taken the plunge and purchased your cameras, but now you're not sure how to go about installing them? Here are some great tips that will help you get your security cameras up and working in no time!

1. Place cameras at all entrances and exits so that you can see who is coming and going at all times and capture all faces on cameras.
2. Place cameras in areas that are always full of people, such as food courts, courtyards, and lobbies.
3. Make sure you've taken precautions against weather or vandalism, especially with cameras placed outside.
4. Make sure you've got cameras in your storage areas so you can see what employees are up to at all times. The same goes for delivery or loading areas.
5. Call Camera Security Now at 877-422-1907 for more help and tips on putting security cameras in your mall!

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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 Can Save Your Restaurant

Police officers in Bonneville County, Idaho are looking for someone. The person they are searching for is suspected of armed robbery at a local I-Hop restaurant. Sergeant Doug Metcalf with the Bonneville County Sheriff's Office has been trying to piece together what he can about the robbery, but there's something missing, something that could make his job a lot easier: video or a picture of the suspect from a surveillance system.

"It makes solving the crime a lot easier," Metcalf told a local news station, "Usually the ones that don't have surveillance video and all we have is a description, those could take months, years to solve."

And Metcalf is right. Having a security camera system installed in your restaurant can ultimately save your business. In the event of a robbery, or some other type of crime, police can take the video from the surveillance system and use it to find that person and arrest them so that they do not return to your restaurant.

It just so happens that this particular restaurant in Idaho had a security camera but it was not properly placed and therefore the suspect was able to take off without a trace. Poorly placed cameras are just like not having a camera at all. At the very least, you want your cameras focused on all entrances to the building, so that no one can get in without being seen. You also want to make sure that the cameras are placed at an angle so that you're able to get any potential criminal's face in the shot, not just the top of their heads.

Beyond entrances and exits, you'll want to place a camera where money transactions take place. Registers are usually where hold-ups occur and not only that, but you may be able to prevent or solve a crime involving employee theft. You want to trust employees and think the best of them, but it's always possible for one bad apple to work their way into restaurant. Employees who are aware they're being watched may think twice about stealing money, and if they do choose to steal some cash, you'll catch the incident on camera, to use as evidence.

In the long run, not having security cameras in your restaurant can be very harmful to your business. It can end up costing you thousands of dollars and maybe even more. Below are some tips and ideas about installing cameras in your restaurant.

1. Make sure your cameras are pointed so that you can see the faces of customers.


2. Place outdoor cameras that help identify cars that enter your parking lot.


3. Have cameras in locations where any cash handling transactions take place.


4. Cameras placed at counters can help you monitor long lines and schedule staff for peak hours.


5. You always want to have cameras placed at entrances and exits so you can see everyone who enters and exits your building.


6. Outdoor video can keep track of any vandalism to the outside of your building, any landscaping you may have in your parking lot, or if you have an outdoor dining area.


7. Many restaurant owners are surprised at the types of surprises they come across when they place a camera at their dumpsters.


8. Make sure your video is viewable from a remote location, such as your home or office computer, or even your wireless laptop.
   
   

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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.
   
   

Libraries Need Security Cameras, Too!

The Austin, Texas City Council is taking security at the Austin Public Library seriously these days. On the Monday before Christmas, they voted to approve nearly $12,000 of city contingency funds to go towards new security cameras for the building.

The library already has four cameras in place and director Ann Hokanson says the system allows library staff to identify people who might be causing problems. She also believes they deter other would-be troublemakers.

While theft and vandalism are not a huge problem at the Austin Public library, they do occur and can be very troublesome to staff and patrons. For example, in June of 2009, a 3x2 antique map from the 1800's was stolen from a wall above a drinking fountain in the library and no one has been caught in the case. More cameras inside and around the building could prevent future thefts or help authorities catch anyone who decides to commit a crime in the future.

Hokanson says confrontations inside the library's computer lab can also be a problem, as well as bicycle theft and other incidents outside. "We get an incident report maybe once a month or two. Probably the most disturbing of the incidents was some hateful vandalism on one of our employee's cars," she said, referring to an incident where a library employee's car had vulgar language scratched onto it, along with having the mirrors broken.

As an editorial in the Austin Post-Bulletin points out, "If there's one place where kids and adults should be able to go without fear, it's the library."

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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.

Security Cameras Protect Your Business

Just last week, in the Washington D.C. area, gunfire was heard in the parking lot of a strip mall, near a Chuck E. Cheese restaurant. Police arrived on the scene to find a woman with a gunshot wound to the leg; a second victim had already been taken to the hospital by a friend. Video from security cameras located around other businesses near the restaurant allowed detectives to identify the parties involved and piece together a timeline of events. The suspects have been caught and charged thanks to quality security cameras.

This weekend, in Beaverton, Oregon, a man was caught on camera, stealing a laptop from an Internet cafe. A female accomplice distracted employees, while a man cut the cords to a laptop and stuffed it in his pants. It took employees over half an hour to notice that a theft had occurred and the suspects had already left the cafe with the laptop. Fortunately, the entire incident was caught on the cafe's newly-installed security cameras and police were able to feed the footage to local media, asking for help in identifying the suspects.

In Wiscasset, Maine, a man was arrested in connection with the burglaries of six different businesses, after local police released images taken from a restaurant security camera to local media. An acquaintance of the suspect saw the footage and contacted the police, helping them identify the man. According to the police department, several others phoned in to identify the suspect after the photos were shown on local news programs.

These are just a few examples of the hundreds of crimes caught on camera throughout the country, each day. Because the owners of these businesses took the time to install surveillance systems, suspects were easily identified and arrested, property was recovered, employees and customers were protected, future incidents were prevented and lives were possibly saved. At Camera Security Now, we know quality security cameras are part of the foundation of success for your business. That's why we offer a full line of products, quality service, competitive pricing, and even provide a local, professional technician to install your security system.

To get a fast quote on CCTV and DVR Security Cameras, visit our website at www.CameraSecurityNow.com or call 877-422-1907 today!

Are Your Employees Stealing from the Till

If you own or operate a business, its in your best interest to ensure that you are properly monitoring your businesses cash flow. Employee theft is rampant in businesses across the board from gas stations, restaurants, and grocery stores and anywhere cash is handled. It is estimated that 20% of every dollar the average US company earns is lost to employee theft. With this in mind can you afford not to have adequate protection?

Efficient methods for preventing employee theft revolve around adequate security camera systems and proper placing. A traditional method for preventing theft is to have 1 camera per cash register, i.e 4 cash registers 4 cameras, as well as cameras watching the entrances and exits. This ensures that all transactions are being monitored and employees will have a hard time simply walking out of the establishment with merchandise.

Other popular methods include point of sale (POS) capturing devices, also known as "POS video overlay", and cameras which utilize zoom lenses for clearer pictures. If you are interested in other options to prevent employee theft, find out How to Protect Your Cash Register for more information.

CCTV Security Camera Catches Theif Red Handed

A unique feature that a CCTV monitoring firm has implemented has helped in the arrest of a materials theft who was stealing from a construction site. This CCTV monitoring firm was offering a very helpful and under-utilized service that was directly responsible for the burglars arrest. They had trained operators monitoring their CCTV Security Cameras and were able to see the theft live as it happened. The company acted accordingly and was able to contact the police and within 8 minutes of the report the police were able to catch the and arrest the thief.

Here is a quick video of how a GeoVision Security Camera System that has a live monitoring service might benefit you and your company.

Construction Site Security Cameras

Theft from construction sites is estimated to be a $1 billion dollar per year industry, according to the Tempe, Arizona Crime Prevention Website. Not just a local or national problem, Construction Site Security Cameras for theft prevention are a growing interest the whole world round. The culprits aren't always strangers, either -- keeping an eye on your employees is common sense no matter what business you're in. Raw building materials and company-owned equipment are both equally vulnerable to theft and damage, and the costs of material such as copper is rising every day.

Stolen construction material and equipment costs more than just the cash put out to replace them, it results in a loss of productivity due to the time it takes to replace the items. Studies show that security cameras placed in visible places deter theft by the mere sight of them. That, combined with the ability to catch and have evidence to prosecute thieves suggests that a Construction Site Surveillance System could save you a lot of time and cash.

The Construction Site Surveillance Cameras page offers more than just sales of complete CCTV Security Camera Packages, it has a list of steps to take to prevent theft: post signs to ward off thieves, keep physical access to the site limited after-hours, secure your loose equipment in a shed, and communicate with the neighbors around your site so they can help warn you if your site is being trespassed upon.