Today more than ever, businesses and property owners rely on technology. Over the years, security technology has become higher tech and more reliable. Thus, many people make the mistake of thinking that their camera/security system will be enough to mitigate and prevent security breaches. This is a grave misconception as there is simply no substitute for real people patrolling the grounds.
While there is nothing wrong with having security cameras as an integral part of your security plan, they are not a standalone solution. Moreover, consider that cameras are most successful when actively monitored by a live person. Simply put, if your business or property is at high risk for criminal activities, you can’t afford to merely rely on the eyes of a machine alone. A camera will never be able to see every single angle of your building/property or have the capacity to reason and make crucial decisions during an emergency. Thus, if you wish to prevent common security issues like violence, burglary, trespassing, or vandalism, you need a security plan that includes trained security guards.
If you are a business/property owner, it may be time to consider if security guards could be the right choice for your establishment. Continue reading to learn more about why so many people are choosing to employ guards instead of relying only on cameras/security systems for the protection of employees and assets.
A Human Presence Is More Successful
In recent years, businesses, rental facilities, and workplaces have implemented the use of visible and invisible security cameras. While the idea is that cameras will catch criminals and serve as a visible deterrent, in reality there is a huge margin for error. Many establishments make the initial investment in cameras then fail to monitor them, keep footage, service the cameras, and ensure updates are done regularly.
Thus, the cameras quite often end up being unreliable at best or completely inoperable at worst. Then when the unthinkable happens, either the camera was not functioning, wasn’t working correctly, was covered up by the perpetrator, or simply didn’t cover the area where the crime was committed. Unfortunately, criminals are all too aware of the unreliability of cameras, as well as ways to work around them.
One of the biggest drawbacks to cameras over a human presence is that even if the perpetrator is caught on film, the incident is rarely stopped or prevented before a major loss has occurred. Criminals are more likely to simply mask their appearance to make any hidden cameras useless at collecting evidence. As for visible cameras, they will often be disabled, covered, or avoided altogether by the criminals to prevent them from catching any useable footage.
When you consider the thousands of dollars invested in security cameras that are often unreliable and unhelpful in stopping crime, it only makes sense to invest in security guards. These trained professionals are always around, providing a visible deterrent to criminals. While a security system may call 911, an aptly timed crime allows for criminals to commit their crime and get away before law enforcement arrives. With the presence of live guards on scene, should a criminal try anything illegal they will likely be promptly caught, apprehended, and handed over to the proper authorities when they arrive.
Since, guards are consistently on scene, they often have the upper hand in identifying suspicious persons and activities so crime can be prevented. The same goes for emergency situations like fires, chemical spills, burst pipes, or even a health emergency. Guards will be in on the action the moment it occurs, allowing them to immediately contact the proper authorities, implement emergency evacuation, implement other emergency/safety procedures, give first aid and CPR if necessary, and apprehend criminals. A security system alone will offer little in the way of emergency response and crime prevention.
Additionally, consider that security guards can take regular patrols at random intervals all around your building and its premises. Security cameras alone will have blind spots, leaving criminals to hide in a shroud of darkness and get away with crimes. When you employ security guards, they will be vigilant and alert for anyone who appears suspicious. Since, their patrols occur on random intervals, criminals will never be able to guess when a guard might appear and catch them doing something illegal. As such, live guards are one of the most powerful deterrents to criminal activity.
A reputable guard is also one of the best ways to monitor points of entry onto the premises and inside the facility. This ensures that those inside show proper credentialing and have authorization to be there. This can help prevent criminals from appearing like one of the employees and pulling off a major heist. In the case of a commercial living facility like an apartment complex, this ensures that all who enter have been invited by a tenant or regularly live there. This keeps tenant’s and employees safe all day and night long. Conversely, security cameras alone are incapable of recognizing a suspicious person who may have merely stolen another employee’s access badge. Without the eyes and discretion of a live guard, anything can happen.
The Greatest Flaw
While security cameras have many flaws, probably the greatest flaw is their lack of ability to reason and exercise discernment like a real person would. Simply put, a camera security system is unable to determine motives behind the behavior or actions that are occurring. Thus, a camera will be unable to tell the difference between an employee that is authorized to be there and thief that snuck in. Furthermore, a camera will be unable to differentiate between an employee doing their normal duties and one that is slipping merchandise into their back pocket. These kinds of issues can be mitigated by pairing a security guard with cameras to ensure a more comprehensive view of activities is gleaned.
A trained security guard can monitor all activities and decide when an alarm has been accidently triggered or when a real security issue is present. The problem with cameras is that while they may catch footage of the crime, they are unable to stop it or prevent it while in progress. With the presence of guards, criminal activities can be readily recognized stopped or possibility even prevented. Guards can take the next steps to keep you, your employees, and your assets safe and secure.
This will be especially important if an active shooter situation occurs, or a fight breaks out. A camera will never protect people like a guard, trained in crisis response and de-escalation tactics. An investment in security guards is investment in the safety and security of your business or property, as well as those within!
