KittySlayer
Grandmaster
I manage a downtown Fort Wayne office building with parking adjacent to the building. We have recently had some aggressive homeless panhandlers approaching employees in our parking lot and yesterday had a building window broken by vandals. A couple of owners have decided we need security cameras so I have asked them to answer some questions below. I am uncertain how security cameras will eliminate these problems as they really seem like after the fact documentation, although I do have cameras at my home.
Interested in INGO input regarding security cameras purpose and their usefulness. Not looking for brands as I will do that once I begin getting vendor quotes.
Below is the email I sent to the owners:
Subject: Building / Security ~ Cameras
Before getting quotes for security cameras we need to be able to tell the potential vendors what our goal is so they can quote a system to monitor the appropriate areas. Answers to these questions will help determine how many cameras are needed and their placement.
CONCERNS ~ what is our primary concern?
Interested in INGO input regarding security cameras purpose and their usefulness. Not looking for brands as I will do that once I begin getting vendor quotes.
Below is the email I sent to the owners:
Subject: Building / Security ~ Cameras
Before getting quotes for security cameras we need to be able to tell the potential vendors what our goal is so they can quote a system to monitor the appropriate areas. Answers to these questions will help determine how many cameras are needed and their placement.
CONCERNS ~ what is our primary concern?
- Property
- Building and outdoor property (vandalism/damage)
- Building access via doorways
- Personal property (vehicles)
- People
- Employees
- Customers
- Other
- Homeless
- Trespassing
- Mentally unstable
- Robbers/attackers
- Youth (skateboarders/vandals)
- Unhappy customers
- Accidental damage (distracted drivers)
- Determine when something happened?
- Copy to police
- Identify person
- What is the purpose behind identifying the person?
- Most homeless people have no assets and already know to police.
- What is the purpose behind identifying the person?
- Identify vehicle
- Make/model
- License plate
- Impacts camera resolution and placement
- File an insurance claim
- Other?
- Call 911
- Provides a solution besides simply sending an internal email to express concern
- This brings trained individuals to our location
- Creates a record of problems to allow police to prioritize their patrols
- Safety Protocols
- Read and follow regular emails sent by managers
- Situational Awareness
- Looking out the window to determine the path between the vehicle and building is safe
- Having key in hand to unlock doors
- Staying off your cell phone while walking to/from car/building
- Avoids distractions allowing you to see and hear what is going on around you
- Keeps you focused on your personal security rather than your conversation
- Hands are free for personal defense if necessary
- Looking out the window to determine the path between the vehicle and building is safe
- Walking in groups when leaving the building or at least have someone watch you through the window
- If working after hours moving your vehicle to the Visitor parking area so you have a clear field of view of the path from the building to the your vehicle
- Train and carry self-defense tools you are comfortable with
- Keychains
- Audible panic alarms
- Car alarm button
- Impact tools
- Pepper spray
- Tasers or stun guns
- Firearms
- Our current handbook requires employees who choose to carry a firearm to leave it in their vehicle and they are thus unprotected when they are most vulnerable walking in and out
- Keychains