UNDERSTANDING THE SECURITY CAMERA

All Surveillance Systems Are Not Equal

Deciding to install a security camera system at your home or business is certainly a firm first step, but it is by no means the last one you'll take. There are a variety of surveillance tools available today, and knowing which one suits your need can make all the difference.

Let's have a look at several of the most common types.

Bullet Camera

 

These devices are named for their shape - sometimes as minimal as 2 inches long, their streamlined, cylindrical form says it all. They are generally mounted on ceilings or walls in a fixed position, served by a simple focal lens.

Bullet cameras tend to be inexpensive and of simple installation, but incur serious limitations in terms of image quality and coverage because of their simple construction. This is a good option for the budgeting consumer - any video surveillance is better than none, after all.

Dome Camera

 

So-called for its transparent dome-shaped housing, this camera is most often mounted on a ceiling, but can be placed on a wall as well, depending on what range of view is desired. The dome can be tinted to obscure the camera's known line of sight.

Dome cameras allow for a relatively non-invasive form of surveillance in an indoor setting. They remind the occupants of a home or patrons of a business that the area is being safely monitored without creating an aggressively monitored environment.

PTZ and Speed Dome Cameras

 

These amount to variations on the bullet and dome formats; in both cases, the standard device has been enhanced with the ability to extend its range and zoom by means of motorised adjustments in position and focus.

PTZ is the acronym for pan/tilt/zoom. A bullet camera modified in this way is able to pan left or right, tilt up and down, and zoom in or out. The speed dome camera is a dome setup with spin functionality. In either of these setups, the control can be manual or automated, as in a timed cycle.

PTZ and speed dome cameras are much more advanced than their simple counterparts, and thus carry a heftier tag. It's easy to imagine, though, the advantages they carry over fixed installations in terms of range and quality of coverage.

Covert Camera

 

While a covert camera may not always be radically different from the construction types listed above, it has a very specific purpose: to record without being noticed.

The covert camera can simply be a dome or bullet camera installed discreetly, or it can take the form of a tiny camera, such as a board camera, installed within an obscuring object. The camera within a clock or smoke detector is a good example of this.

It's important to note that while a covert camera may be exactly what you need in a given application, it is illegal in many states to record an individual without their knowledge. Keep this in mind before deciding to install covert surveillance.

Every Camera Has a Home at Eye Spy Electronics

There are more varieties of camera than this article has listed, and we'll follow up on that later this week.

Whether you're looking for an intricate and extensive public installation, or something very simple and budget-oriented for your home, Eye Spy Electronics has the solution for you.

We have dozens of possible variations on the theme, but with our experience and expertise, we'll quickly narrow it down to just the right product for your need. Visit us at our company website to see what we have to offer, or stop by our security forum for some Q&A. We're never too busy to answer your questions.

Remember, folks: your peace of mind is our business. Visit us and receive your free quote today!

Dan Parrington is a freelance content writer for a variety of small businesses across the web. He operates out of his primary business website, The Parrington Review. You can contact him at dan@parringtonreview.com.

PUBLIC SURVEILLANCE CURBS CRIME IN NORTH ST. LOUIS

Cost and Effect

The 21st Ward spent $600,000 over the last eighteen months on two dozen high-calibre security cameras placed strategically throughout North City neighborhoods. Residents have asked whether the installations have actually decreased crime. In the ever ongoing dialogue over privacy and security, the answer is very important.

Antonio French, city alderman, advocates the cameras as a silent witness to crime - a witness that has allowed police to capture and prosecute criminals of every kind. In spite of skepticism, he also says that over the past year, homicides have dropped by eighty percent.

Residents have encouraged the city to invest instead in proactive measures, such as community centers and publicly-funded activities. While public intervention in a positive sense certainly has its role, the cameras themselves seem to be doing their job quite effectively. If homicides have in fact dropped so dramatically after the installation of this surveillance equipment, it seems safe to say that the investment was a good one.

If even a single life was spared, the cameras have done good work. And for those crimes that do take place even so, police have been able to find and arrest the perpetrators with much greater success.

What About the Citizens?

Not all crime takes place on the street, however. With a reduction in murders as drastic as eighty percent, it certainly makes one wonder how much greater the effect of home security might be in deterring crime of any sort.

When home security cameras are installed in visible locations, potential criminals become non-threats. Everything from graffiti to violence is less likely when it is obvious that the crime would be recorded.

Criminals and potential criminals are aware that a recording of unlawful actions reduces the likelihood of their getting away with it. It allows them to take a moment, consider the possible outcome of their actions, and weigh the consequences. It adds one very serious reason not to go through with the crime.

This seems like all the reason one needs to make the investment, taking crime prevention into one's own hands. The streets are being rendered safer by such forces as alderman French, but our properties are still at risk.

What a Camera Will Do for You

The city may have spent $600,000 on two dozen security cameras - roughly $25,000 per camera - but you don't need to.

The cameras themselves can cost as little as $100.00, in some cases. The DVR systems, installation, and service add to the base price, but you can see we're no longer talking about the ranges that the city pays for its very high calibre equipment.

Basic security coverage through use of cameras is not difficult or prohibitively expensive. The really important consideration is: what do you gain by taking such measures?

Peace of mind is not something that you can easily place a dollar value on. Knowing that you and your family are being watched over, and that criminals know it, can be an incredible source of that peace.

Consider contacting us today. We can discuss any number of options, and find just the right setup for you.

Call us at 1-877-821-4880, or visit us at our website. See also our forum to discuss questions and concerns with our experts.

Dan Parrington is a freelance content writer for a variety of small businesses across the web. He operates out of his primary business website, The Parrington Review. You can contact him at dan@parringtonreview.com.

REMOTE SURVEILLANCE AND DAYCARE

Easily one of the most important advances in surveillance systems is the advent of remote DVR viewer technology, allowing people to monitor live video camera feeds from outside of a daycare facility using a network or internet connection.

For daycares, and the parents who take their kids to the daycare, this is incredibly important. Some day care centers are using CCTV cameras to allow parents to log in remotely to check on their children.

Allowing parents to login remotely using a DVR viewer application allows the day care to offer this special service to parents which they will certainly appreciate. It gives parents the peace of mind they need to know that their children are safe; when you're having a tough day at work, nothing is better than taking a peek at your child playing with his or her friends and knowing that they are safe.

Stop by our website to see the many CCTV, DVR viewer and other secutiry options we offer, or call us at 1-877-821-4880.

BUILDING A SOLID FOUNDATION FOR RETAIL LOSS PREVENTION

The Loss Prevention Foundation (LPF) is an international leader in educating and certifying retail loss prevention and retail asset protection professionals. LPF’s mission is to advance the retail loss prevention and asset protection profession by providing relevant, convenient and challenging educational resources. LPF is responsible for administering the industry’s only internationally sanctioned LP credentials: LPQualified (LPQ) and LPCertified (LPC). Its' accompanying courses and exams are focused at measuring individual industry knowledge and elevating the image of our profession. With 24/7 online educational resources and professional membership program, the LPF is able to educate our industry like no other organization of its kind, in the world.

Always start your project with great and quality security cameras. At Eye Spy Electronics, we provide the equipment you need to do so.

Remember that security is not only for St. Louis, it is for all the retailers across the United States.

Hire qualified employees!

Join and read a blog, join great groups.

PORTABLE SOLAR SECURITY CAMERAS IN ST. LOUIS

Eye Spy Electronics now offers a tow behind solar security camera unit to the St. Louis area. Please check link for information.

This is a solar powered unit that has battery backup as well as a generator backup. This can be rented or purchased for city events, commercial new builds to protect equipment and property. We do offer a free demo for certain applications.

We also offer a full line of CCTV, Security Camera systems for the St. Louis/ St. Charles Area.

ST. LOUIS DELMAR LOOP TO ADD SECURITY CAMERAS

Between University City and St. Louis County, law enforcement are discussing adding security cameras in the Delmar Loop. This may take time and money but they have to do something to make this area safe from thugs and crooks. When people can't even eat outside without getting something stolen, there is a problem.

On our free security forum for St.Louis there is several people saying they will not go in to this area until something is done. I don't blame them. Keep our families safe, add security cameras in St. Louis County.

WHAT WE CAN DO FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

When it comes to security alarm systems, there are quite a few that you have to choose from. It all depends on what kind of security you may need and want.

When choosing an alarm system, many people think about who they’re trying to protect and its value. This is a good idea and will surely give you an idea of what kind of security alarm and or security cameras you should be looking for in the St. Louis & St. Charles area.

A residential alarm may be just what you’re looking for. It’s one of the more basic kinds of security systems. When it comes to these alarms, a lot of people make the choice of purchasing a regular burglar alarm. This is a popular choice because it is easy to install and use.

Some people would rather have a little more protection than this, so they decide to go with something that is a little more advanced. Security cameras and security alarms are separate devices and can be integrated together but at a very high cost and it is better to leave these devices separate.

See our forum to ask questions and seek advice.

"HIGH CRIME AREA" IN ST. LOUIS TO GET VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

Every city has their areas of high crime and, for the most part, people tend to avoid them when they can. Police in these areas are also on high alert and tend to patrol these areas more frequently than others. However, the police cannot be everywhere at once which means, unfortunately, that crimes still happen in these areas and more frequently than anybody wants.

However, in one particular neighborhood in St. Louis, Missouri that has been denoted as a "high crime area" by local authorities a solution may be coming along that could lower the crime rate in the area and may help put some of the more persistent criminals behind bars.

A video surveillance system is set to be installed in a St. Louis neighborhood as part of attempts to hinder drug dealing and related assaults. Over the course of several weeks, security cameras will be placed along Natural Bridge as well as Lee Avenue in the 21st ward of St. Louis, an area the alderman calls a "freeway of drug activity".

This particular neighborhood in St. Louis saw almost 1,100 crimes last year alone which included over a dozen murders. The area's alderman Antonio French told local radio stations that although the area is primarily known for its drug related problems the deaths are a bigger concern. According to French, "It's really the violent crime that we're most concerned with. We've had more than our fair share of the city's murders happen in our neighborhood."

French also noted that this move towards security cameras was born out of requests from the residents. "In high crime areas like this folks have really been screaming for the cameras," he said. The main focus of the city is most certainly the safety of the citizens and if the citizens want security cameras installed to deter crime, then the city is intent on giving it to them.

Small Business Security is Key

Small business owners have a lot of things they need to worry about, especially in today's economy. Anybody who has ever tried to run a small business knows that creating a profitable business is hard and can even be fairly expensive. Because of the woes pressed on many small business owners, why should they become the victim of theft or even feel the need to worry about it?

It has been noted that property crimes have been declining recently but 1 out of every 8 small businesses falls victim to theft or burglary. Small businesses face and even greater threat to their safety due to the fact that they are more likely to be a target. Many thieves target small businesses as opposed to larger ones because they perceive small businesses to be easier to rip off.

Businesses, big and small, already do a lot to prevent internal theft with background conviction checks, past employment verification and employee education but to get a true sense of complete security the only way to go seems to be a security camera system. Security cameras have proven to be a strong deterrent to criminal activity surrounding businesses where they are set, both with internal and external crimes.

Most people think twice about committing a crime when a visible security camera is noticed. The fact that there could be concrete, physical evidence of their crime is something most criminals do not think twice about messing with. Employees are also less likely to commit employee theft or vandalism if they perceive that they will be caught.

However, even though a lot of criminals will pass your business up if it has security cameras installed, there are the bold ones out there who could care less about your security camera system and will rob you blind without a second thought, security camera system or not. The positive side to this is that if a criminal is dumb enough to commit a crime in view of a fully functional security camera system it makes it a whole lot easier to identify the person and even makes it easier to recover your stolen property.

The best thing about a small business security camera system is that they come in a wide range of styles, models, packages and prices. Small business owners can get a very basic security camera system installed for $1,000. But if you want top notch equipment then you can get that too, for a higher price mind you. An average security camera system will run you anywhere from $1,000 to $5,000 and can be a CCTV or IP Security Camera System allowing you to view your security camera feed anywhere you have internet access.

Bullet Security Cameras and Dome Security Cameras, two of the most popular types, can start as low as $80 for a black and white camera and $150 for a full color camera. Lenses come in a variety of different sizes ranging from 2.5mm to 500mm and most lenses can be changed at will with little or no problem whatsoever. For people who need to cover varying angles but don't want or need multiple cameras, a PTZ (Pan-Tilt-Zoom) camera is perfect as it allows users to remotely move the camera to view any and all viewing angles.

Protection is key for any business owner, especially small business owners who may be having to be careful financial as it is. The last thing they need to worry about is trying to replace expensive equipment that has been stolen. Improve your business security now before it is too late by getting a security camera system that has the potential to deter and even catch criminals that are trying to rip you off.

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For more Missouri Small Business Security Camera systems and news, visit Eye Spy Electronics, St. Louis' premiere security camera professionals.