If you own a business and South Florida, there’s a good chance that you have been worried about keeping unwanted visitors away. South Florida rates as one of the most dangerous areas in the country when it comes to break-ins and property theft. Regardless of whether you have security guys standing out front, all businesses should look into having an updated CCTV surveillance system.
And while you think your store doesn’t need something like that, remember it’s not just for you. Huh? Yup, that’s right, CCTV surveillance systems have a lot more benefits than just protecting your store.
Let’s start talking about why a CCTV surveillance system is an absolute must in South Florida.
What is a CCTV Surveillance System?
So, what are they, and are they all the same? CCTV surveillance systems are security cameras and there are many kinds on the market to meet everyone’s needs. CCTV cameras are interchangeable with security cameras, but it’s important to note that CCTV really is a specific type of security camera.
These cameras typically use an IP address to provide an image of an area to a secure, monitored location. This may be in the building, or this may be all the way to a security provider’s company if they are monitoring the property for you.
They can be both for businesses and residential properties, as many Southern Floridians think security is a good idea given the crime rates.
Why are CCTV Surveillance Systems so Important in South Florida?
When it comes to the numbers on crime stats, this section may shock you just a little. Being in South Florida is always a great time. Warm sunshine and, dependent on where you are, ocean breezes. It’s hard to imagine that Miami rates as one of the highest crime cities in the country.
If you are a business, you are not only looking to protect your store, but have an obligation to protect the people that come in and out of your store too. Since cameras hinder crime by nearly a 300% rate, the pros really outweigh the cons (if any) when it comes to getting a CCTV surveillance camera set up.
Benefits of having a CCTV surveillance system in South Florida
It seems like the benefits are endless when it comes to actually have a CCTV surveillance system in your house or in your business. While the primary focus is to protect the property and those inside it, there are a lot of other incentives as well to get a CCTV surveillance system in South Florida.
Safety
Keeping everyone and everything safe is the most important part of having a CCTV surveillance system set up. Because it hinders crime, it not only makes your property safer, but the surrounding ones. This has a snowball effect where if one neighbor does it, then another, then another, criminals will want to stay out of this area because the chances of getting caught are much higher.
Aid Authorities
It is actually very difficult for any authorities to catch a person unless they are done so in the act. With all the crime going on in Southern Florida, it can be difficult for police to be everywhere at once. That’s why having footage of the criminal can really make or break solving a case. It also lowers the crime rates by getting bag people off the streets if they are arrested.
Win-Win in Insurance
Oftentimes, the price really makes potential buyers look the other way. That’s because you want to get something quality and dependable. What customers don’t know is that oftentimes insurance will offer incentives for homeowners and business owners to put in security systems and help pay for them and/or lower their monthly premiums. This is because it lowers the chances of insurance needing to give payouts for incidents.
Possible Remote Access
Depending on the type of CCTV security system you have put in you may have Bluetooth capabilities and be able to access the property from your phone at any time. This allows you to monitor the situation just like the surveillance company would if you have hired a monitoring service. It may also allow you to communicate with anyone that is home-like smaller children, the elderly, and pets.
Types of CCTV Surveillance System
While a lot of the CCTV Surveillance Systems should function relatively the same way providing security footage, there are quite a few different options out there that separate one choice from another. This helps meet the needs of everyone.
Here are the different types of CCTV options you can choose from:
Dome Cameras
Dome cameras look just like the name implies. We often see them in shopping centers and stores as they are a mini-dome planted on the ceiling or high up on the wall, usually. Domes are meant to be discreet so that people can’t see which way the camera is aimed.
Bullet Cameras
We also see these types of security cameras in commercial properties, as they resemble the shape of a bullet (long and cylindrical). These are meant to observe for long distances, which is why you may see them at entry points of a business to see where some originally entered from or what kind of car they were driving.
C-Mount Cameras
These are some heavier duty cameras that can be noticed by criminals, so it works fantastic as an interference. These cameras have the ability to have their lens switched out so that at different points or needs you can see different viewpoints and distances. These are typically reserved for more commercial properties.
PTZ Pan Tilt and Zoom Cameras
This allows for security team members to remotely control the camera to follow along with any suspicious activity. For instance, if they notice a shoplifter in a store, they can rotate the camera to follow along and zoom if they need to. This requires a monitoring service to be included, as they are controlled by humans.
Most Common CCTV Surveillance Systems in South Florida
When it comes to the most common CCTV surveillance systems in South Florida, it is going to be dependent on whether you are working with a commercial or residential property. From there it will depend further on how much security you have. Sometimes a combination of cameras is used.
You’ll find that both residents and commercial properties will use the following categories, no matter what kind of CCTV system they use.
- The capability to be indoor or outdoor camera system
- To have day and night vision to accurately see
- Having recording qualities
- The potential to be paired up with alarm systems and other security measures
CCTV Surveillance Risks
There are a few risks when it comes to the specific type of surveillance system you are working with, such as wiring and the power going out or having a bad connection. But one of the most important risks that always needs to be discussed with the company you choose to work with is the potential for technology to be hacked.
Some businesses and residential owners have strayed away from security cameras recently because of the potential for them to be hacked. This is a legitimate concern. With a lot of tech flying over signals and wavelengths, it’s possible for them to interfere. That’s why your security company needs to have the utmost experience in firewalls and encrypted servers to keep your home or your property safe.
In other words, it’s a different form of breaking in.
CCTV Surveillance System FAQs
With all that information, hopeful, you’ve already decided you are ready to jump in and make the investment to set up your property a little more safely. However, this is a lot of ground to cover, which is why this section is solely dedicated to frequently asked questions the customers think of during the process.
Are the systems backed up for when the power goes out?
Hardwired systems pose the threat of not functioning when the wires are cut or the power goes out. This is why many systems now will have dual capabilities or at least battery-operated functions until the power or machinery is able to be restored. This is one of the most common problems and risks that hardwired systems face, which is why they have been accounted for more over the last few years.
What other security products would be good to pair with CCTV cameras?
There is a wide range of products that go along with cameras that work well, such as alarm systems and sensors. A lot of companies will recommend incorporating a few other features along with your CCTV system to have the complete setup to ensure everyone’s safety.
Regardless of whether you are looking at boosting up your residential or commercial, a Bluetooth Access Control system is a great option as well. This gets rid of the need for traditional keys and looks at using our smart devices to let ourselves and other people access the property when we aren’t there and need to let them.
Can I employ my own security team?
While some services will definitely offer you to lend their monitoring services, it is absolutely possible to employ your own team. Of course, they may need to be licensed, but there has been something said for having trusted employees. The only downfall to this is that you still want to keep in close contact with your provider for when things need to be fixed or reinstalled.
Consider talking to one of the security providers during your initial contact so that you can figure out how you can all work cohesively together to make the best possible situation. When one of the parts is off, it has the ability to throw an entire investigation off.
Helios’ Security Systems Product Showcase
Speaking of trusted providers, do you know what to look for when you are hiring one? Having an experienced team who both know the ins and out’s of security, but also customer service is important. That’s why here at Helios’ Security you will find all the products you need to complete your security system to feel safe. Furthermore, Helios guarantees a job well done by providing the installation and customer support 24/7 after that.
Besides the impressive line of CCTV cameras, be sure to check out other important security systems like fire alarms and carbon monoxide detectors. These can all be paired together to work as one cohesive system.
Ask More!
CCTV security cameras are a must when it comes to keeping your neighborhood and property safe in South Florida. Unfortunately, the crime stats are too high to not have some coverage. Having said that, it is a beautiful place to be and to enjoy. While you can use this as a guide to what kind of security cameras are available on the market, it is always a great idea to go over the options and create a plan with an experienced and trusted security provider like Helios. This is their job, and they can figure out the ins and outs of what kind of system will work best for the area you are trying to connect.
Furthermore, you can look into other products that will make sense to pair. Worried about the cost? Don’t be because make insurance companies will offer to help cover some costs and at least lower your monthly premiums. This is one of the many benefits because it’s simply a win-win for everyone.
Don’t wait to start protecting your property and call in today! Take advantage of technology and use it at your convenience.
