Remote Guard

Breakthrough video alarm technology can now provide protection in a variety of scenarios where live guards or CCTV surveillance cameras were used. The Video Sentry is a device that combines a motion sensor, digital video camera, and night vision capability. It is waterproof and operates in temperatures as low as -20F. It is battery powered to run up to 4 years on a single set of batteries. Guard services can protect assets effectively but are very expensive. A full time guard service protecting a premise 24 hours per day would cost $15,000 per month based on a $20 per hour rate. A part-time guard service which visits the site once per hour costs about $1300 per month. The part-time guard service will not be very effective because the intruders will simply wait for a part-time guard to make their round and then break in after the guard has left the premises. RemoteGuard Video Sentries work very well in situations were the premises are vacated. The wireless Video Sentries are easy to install, very cost effective, and will provide video verified protection in as many areas as the customer wants. There is an outdoor Video Sentry available that will deter intruders before they enter the building. At RemoteGuard, we call it Pre-Intrusion service. Outdoor Video Sentries are placed outside where they will detect intruders as they approach the building. This is important because some intruders will break in despite posted security alarm company signage. The intruders know there are rarely cameras and the police response will give them enough time to steal a few items. With Pre-Intrusion the sirens go off and video images are recorded before the would be intruders enter the premises. RemoteGuard Signage warns the intruders of video cameras on the premises which normally deters intruders.

Ownership and monitoring programs start at about $80 per month.

• When an unauthorized intruder enters the protected zone the Video Sentry:
• 1. Uses its motion sensor to detect the intruder up to 45 feet.
• 2. Uses its night vision capability to “see” the intruder even in total darkness and
• 3. Uses its digital camera to capture a 10 second video clip to visually verify the event.
• 4. Uses its wireless cellular communications to send the video clip within seconds to a monitoring station where staff can assess the threat and know if a cat or cat burglar is entering the protected area. Once the threat is verified police or guards can be dispatched.
• 5. Can be set up to detect the intruder/s covertly (siren disabled) to help the police catch the intruder/s while they are still committing the crime.
• 6. Can be set up to enable one or more sirens to sound off which will scare off the intruders.

Detroit schools reduce theft, vandalism with proven security solution despite tight budget

By Keith Jentoft (abridged version)

Unprecedented Crime

Detroit Public Schools’ (DPS) vacant property and schools in the process of being renovated became magnets for crime. While vandalism has always been an issue, things escalated to an unprecedented scale. Thieves were targeting the utility room and would cut all power and communications lines. Groups of men systematically “mined” the closed school buildings for copper and anything of value, including plumbing fixtures and lighting. Sledgehammers were used to break large holes in the walls to remove sections of copper pipe. Heating and plumbing fittings were removed, and wiring was ripped from the walls.

Gaining Control

The crimes increased to the point that in certain buildings, DPS was forced to post its own officers to spend nights patrolling inside the buildings. DPS had used surveillance cameras and DVRs to secure some buildings, but these systems cost more than $100,000 per school and did a poor job preventing vandalism.

In most instances, videos were reviewed after the damage had been done with few intruders identified and even fewer arrested. With finances tight, school officials thought finding effective and affordable solutions to catch the perpetrators unlikely.

Under pressure from mounting damage and potential liability Mark K. Schrupp, the district’s executive director of facilities management and auxiliary services, began researching various options and discovered a wireless video security system called RemoteGuard that seemed promising. With this system, the goal was not only providing high-resolution video but arresting intruders. In addition, securing a building with the RemoteGuard system was affordable. Battery-powered, Video Sentries are the key to the system. They are wireless devices equivalent to the size of a coffee cup that combine a motion detector with a digital camera and night vision technology. The cordless RemoteGuard system functions for up to four years on a set of batteries in normal use. When a vandal trips the sensor, the Video Sentry sends a 10 second video clip of the intrusion over the cell network to the central station for immediate review and dispatch. DPS liked the fact that the system could be installed anywhere, regardless of AC power or broadband access.

Another valued feature was the ability to move Video Sentries as needs evolved in the district.

"The performance of the RemoteGuard wireless system has been outstanding," said Jake Purcell, project manager for D/A Central. "Except for one property, we have been able to cover every school with a single wireless panel, using a battery-powered communicator with a cell modem."

Within three days of installation, the new system proved to be effective.

On a Wednesday night, six youths broke in a school carrying sledgehammers. The Video Sentry instantly sent a 10-second video clip of the intrusion to the monitoring station. The operator saw the intruders and dispatched police who arrested the teens.

Two more break-ins occurred the following week. Each time, the central station operator saw the intruders via the video clip and police were dispatched. In the first four weeks, DPS made more than 45 arrests.

DPS has demonstrated that success is possible on a budget. They are expanding RemoteGuard into other areas of the school system to address security concerns. Law enforcement strongly supports the solution, and they are publicizing the arrests to send a message to the surrounding community.

"Don't steal here or we will catch you and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law," Shelton said.

Conclusion

DPS was able to effectively and economically protect its vast inventory of vacant school buildings using RemoteGuard technology. The Video Sentry is a guard and CCTV replacement in that the guards were too expensive to hire and existing CCTV surveillance did not work. Not only did the Video Sentry outperform the CCTV surveillance and guard service, it did so at a 95% cost saving compared to the CCTV surveillance systems.

Arresting Intruders

Detroit Public Schools had installed multiple Video Sentries in vacant schools recently. In the first 4 weeks of operation the school system made more than 45 arrests.