Radius Original

#PROTECTED Video Series - DGS Construction

sdawe@radiussecurity.ca (Stephanie Dawe) — Sun, 31 May 2020 22:08:58 GMT

The family-operated construction management company, DGS Construction, has been around since 1982, developing projects in all corners of Vancouver, BC. They manage anywhere between ten and fifty of these million-dollar projects at a time, which can be incredibly taxing. So the need for a convenient, easily-navigated security system is clear. This is why Daniel decided to look for a solution that did more than inform him of a theft overnight - Daniel wanted to catch them in the act.

"Radius Security was the best for us… it's just easy to navigate," Rossi says. "I have it on my phone, have it on my desktop. It's there with me, I can check up on my site whenever I want."

As a Project Manager for the DGS Construction, Rossi understands the issues of theft and vandalism quite well. In the past, he has tried other security systems to avoid having any delay in their construction timeline. But problems still arose in the form of copper theft and vandalism, costing them additionally in downtime.

"We've had a lot of issues in the past," Rossi admits. Most issues like copper theft won't kill a project outright, but the costs start to add up over time, adding to their cost of security overall.

So, What Changed?

Well, for Rossi and DGS Construction, change came in the form of a state-of-the-art tool that didn't just scare criminals away, but one that also kept them off-site for good. "In our contracts, we are required to have a security system on-site ... someone that's reliable. And we found that with Radius."

In Rossi's experience, the security industry is undergoing constant change. "The industry is just evolving and changing as we speak," he says. And at the forefront of these criminal countermeasures is none other than Radius Security. "From having personal guards on-site, to now having top of the line video controlled and analytic software behind it … it's basically revolutionized the security industry," Rossi says.

DGS Construction currently utilizes Radius Security installations on six of its work-sites. Rossi oversees two of these himself, observing security footage from the comfort of his smartphone. He can also access any DGS site with Radius protection at the touch of a button. "On my phone and my desktop, I have access to every single one of them," he says.

It hasn't taken long at all for results to start flowing in for DGS Construction. "We've had several incidents where we've actually had apprehensions on site," said Rossi. Results have been consistent, and it seems DGS has been pleased with the results.

"We have a really good success rate, and we get a police report at the end of it."

This excellent success rate has reduced the risk and stress of illegal activities on DGS' sites quite significantly. Rossi says the ability to check in on his construction sites at any time is also a considerable help. "The peace of mind that we get with Radius is that at all hours of the day we can check up on the site," he says. "So not only am I getting security after hours (and) throughout the night, I'll get phone calls whenever that they suspect that there's an incident going on."

Beyond this, Rossi also says the tools provided by Radius are helpful in day-to-day work-site surveillance. "I also use it during the day where I can then use the cameras to check up on what's going on on-site," he says. "I'm able to zoom in, zoom out, and see what's actually happening without actually having to go to the site." This makes it possible to manage contractors remotely, as the live camera feed can be accessed by any internet-capable device, at any time.

The remote camera viewing capabilities provided by the Redhanded Human Detection Technology, combined with attentive Command Center Operators, who are on-hand 24-hours a day, have saved Daniel Rossi and DGS Construction a fair bit of heartache.

Radius Security Customer Success Case Study

sdawe@radiussecurity.ca (Stephanie Dawe) — Tue, 31 Mar 2020 23:11:00 GMT

Chet Farnsworth had trouble with recurring theft on his construction site, substantially impacting the timeline and cost of the project. Crimson Builders used to rely on a traditional camera system to protect their sites. However, they found themselves watching trespassers and crime on their construction site, the morning after it happened.

After 40 years in the construction industry, Farnsworth says that;

"Ultimately, no security is paying for security."

Just an audible alarm going off didn't resolve the issue of returning trespassers, they would keep coming back. What Farnsworth really wanted, was a solution that completely eliminates crime on Crimson construction sites.

Crimson Builders is a construction company that makes a difference in people's lives, for the people that work for them, their sub-contractors and their customers in Texas. It is this work that Farnsworth loves about his company. So finding a solution to this problem was important to Farnsworth to protect his community, his staff and projects.

Now, protecting the community and your staff also means you have measures in place to manage your site remotely and have an immediate police response if crime were to happen on your construction site. One police apprehension prevents and/or resolves 33 other crimes.

Chet Farnsworth shares his solution for crime that couldn't be stopped.

By working together with Radius Security, Farnsworth has now implemented the proprietary Redhanded Human Detection solution for his Crimson Builders sites.

This means he is now using a combination of CCTV, remote monitoring, real-time crime verification and reporting to help police apprehend trespassers and decreasing crime in his community, as well as on Crimson Builders Construction sites. Farnsworth now also has the ability to check-in on his sites when working remote to help manage sub-contractors when needed.

To talk to a Specialist about a Redhanded solution for your construction site or car dealership in the Dallas Fort Worth area or Canada, please call 817-410-2233 or

The Key to Successful Apprehensions

schuwriter@gmail.com (Susanna Chu) — Wed, 18 Mar 2020 21:31:37 GMT

February was a banner month for Radius Command Center supervisor Edward Corbett and the rest of his Redhanded team. The Center handled an incredible 137,154 events—five operators handled 10,000 each!--resulting in 54 apprehensions and zero false dispatches. Among those apprehensions was Edward’s 225^th. Congratulations to Edward on a great record of successful apprehensions!

So what does it take to apprehend suspects?

“The key to success is never giving up, even if the chances of an apprehension seem slim or unexpected,” says Edward.

He recalls two incidents he handled where suspects had tampered with vehicles at an auto dealership. Both suspects left before police arrived, but thanks to Radius, they were still apprehended a short distance away.

Radius operators often help police track suspects:

Patience Pays – February 18, 2018 – Police weren’t available right away, but we kept tabs on the suspect.
Christmas K9 Capture – January 4, 2019 – A suspect flees, but we warn police on site immediately.
Remote Hunting – May 24, 2019 – A suspect hid inside a car, but we could see him.

Watching police make the arrest gives Edward “an inordinate sense of satisfaction.” And perhaps most importantly, it sends a message “that the site is not easy pickings.”

Kirk Roberts, a former Texas lieutenant with 32 years’ law enforcement experience in Dallas-Fort Worth agrees: “An apprehension deters the suspect, and perhaps others, from committing crimes where they were caught, and perhaps at other locations too.”

In other words, suspects, when caught, will think twice about returning, and they can’t commit more crimes if they’re in jail. Sometimes, they may be wanted on an outstanding warrant or become informants and help solve other crimes. That’s why the insurance industry estimates that each apprehension helps prevent or resolve 33 other crimes.

For Edward, that means he has helped prevent or resolve 225 x 33, or 7,425, crimes. That’s quite an impact.

“It’s been my experience that never giving up and following your gut instinct can often lead to successful results.”

Check out some of Edward’s apprehensions last year:

Dog Chase: K9 unit helps nab break-and-enter suspects - November 26, 2019
Stopped at Gunpoint: Police arrest two trespassers at auto dealership - July 3, 2019
Slipping Away: Suspect takes tires but can't hide from Radius - June 18, 2019

Stopping Construction Crime Saves Time and Money

schuwriter@gmail.com (Susanna Chu) — Thu, 13 Feb 2020 20:03:05 GMT

As a construction project manager, you’re expected to get the job done on time and on budget. It’s tempting to remove items like security from your bids to win projects. However, doing so will often lead cost you more. Some project managers might go with old-fashioned padlocks and fences, or even a simple web cam, to save on security costs.

In this example, Paul the project manager didn’t realize that cutting back on security usually results in unexpected downtime, damage to equipment on site and other indirect costs. Today’s security technology, however, prevents crime more effectively than ever and thus prevents delays and losses.

Here’s how security on job sites has evolved:

Perimeter fencing and locks: As our many apprehension videos [link to CIA page] show, most trespassers simply climb over, go under, cut through or cut the locks on fences.
Guard services: Costing thousands of dollars monthly, guard services do deter some criminals. However, a security guard can only be in one place at any time and human fatigue is always a risk. Thieves and vandals can and do sneak by.
Video recorders: Traditional security cameras were an important break-through in identifying trespassers and burglars. Unfortunately, even if police officers managed to find the suspects, the images were not always conclusive enough evidence to lead to charges and convictions.
Motion detectors: Then came professionally monitored motion-detection cameras installed on mobile trailers. Security companies called site contacts whenever these cameras flagged movement. Unfortunately, since raccoons, trees and tarps all move, 98% of the alarms were false. Police were unhappy and learned to respond less quickly. Project managers were unhappy about being woken up in the middle of the night. Meanwhile, those trailers were easily hauled off site and the service again cost thousands of dollars a month.
Human Detection Technology: This latest development catches suspects red-handed and pushes the live footage to responding officers. Last year, Radius Security had more than 600 apprehensions, with an average response time of 4 to 8 minutes. With a live view, police officers arrive in time to catch criminals in the act because they know the alert is not a false alarm.

So how does investing in current technology save money?

Stops incidents: Catching a thief before she takes your tools and copper wire or a vandal before he damages your crane, saves the costs of those materials and equipment. It also prevents any delays from shutting down your site or replacing your equipment. If you lose a crane, the downtime could cost you $100,000 per day. That’s more than your security budget for an entire project.
Prevents repeat crimes: According to Fred Lohmann from the National Insurance Crime Bureau, a force multiplier occurs for future crimes; one apprehension will prevent up to 33 future crimes. By using these tools, you not only decrease your insurance claims, but you could eliminate crime from your job sites completely.
Supports site management: With a fully-integrated system, you can view your sites remotely over the Internet. This tool would enable you to keep sub-contractors on track and manage the productivity of your workers. Access to daytime footage also helps you to settle disputes between sub-contractors and create a safer work environment for everyone on site.

The next time your company bids on a project, remember that investing in security technology is a more effective management strategy than hoping trespassers, thieves and vandals won’t take too much or damage too much.

To learn more about protecting your job site from crime, and the advanced security technology available, please visit usa.radiussecurity.com/construction-sites or call a security specialist at (817) 410-2233 for a free no-obligation security assessment or quote.

Securing Your Home for the Holidays

schuwriter@gmail.com (Susanna Chu) — Mon, 09 Dec 2019 15:00:00 GMT

Did you score any Black Friday/Cyber Monday deals? As you bring home gifts, remember to keep them safe. Burglars prefer to shop at your house for their electronics and jewelry. A burglary happens every 23 seconds in the U.S. Your home, while you’re out shopping, partying or travelling, is a prime target.

How do you secure your home over the holidays?

Install bright lighting outside
Clear shrubbery to ensure good sightlines
Lock your doors and windows
Make your house look lived in: set timers, clear mail, shovel snow
Don’t share your travel plans or daily itinerary on social media
Don’t leave your gifts out for burglars to window shop

Most importantly, police departments and insurance companies agree you need a monitored alarm system. In fact, the drop in property crimes over the last decade has been largely due to advances in technology, lower costs and widespread adoption of home security systems. Thieves always choose empty homes, easy targets. If you can’t be there, then make sure someone is watching your house.

When choosing a security system,

Walk through your home, noting all the entry points.
Consider which features your lifestyle requires, such as medical alerts, fire protection, flood sensors, smart home technology, two-way audio etc.
Set a budget
Hire a professional security provider to monitor your system.

And remember, when it comes to security, the cheapest option will likely cost you more. Installing DVRs and audio alarms using a DIY kit is certainly less expensive than opting for a monitored security system with video alarm verification. However, burglars don’t scare easily and, like your neighbours, will ignore a wailing alarm. Once thieves leave your house, it is highly unlikely police will ever catch them or recover your property. On the other hand, police officers give verified crimes-in-progress reports highest priority and respond much quicker to them.

See also Security Providers: why the cheapest will likely cost you more (for businesses).

Sources and more tips:

Jaramillo, Cassandra. It’s Burglary Season in North Texas: Six ways for you to thwart the bad guys. The Dallas Morning News (November 30, 2018)

Moreau, Greg. Police-reported crime statistics in Canada, 2018. Canadian Centre for Justice Statistics (July 22, 2019).

Morgan, Rachel E. and Oudekerk, Barbara A. Criminal victimization, 2018. U.S. Bureau of Justice Statistics.

Supan, Joe. Holiday Home Safety Tips. Reviews.com (October 28, 2019)

Residential Burglaries Prevention Tips. Dallas Police Department.

Note: This blog discusses general safety and security topics. It is not intended to provide comprehensive advice or guidance. In all matters of personal safety and security, We encourage readers to research topics in depth and consult a security professional about specific concerns.

Apprehensions Work: Why stopping crimes in progress matters

schuwriter@gmail.com (Susanna Chu) — Fri, 22 Nov 2019 22:33:20 GMT

At Radius Security, we have been celebrating a lot of milestones lately. In October, we logged one of our highest number of apprehensions ever, 51, for a year-to-date total of 404 apprehensions. That’s 50% more than we had in all of 2018 and double our 2017 numbers. The apprehension rate for October was impressive too: 64%. For every 100 dispatches from Radius Security, police apprehended 64 suspects. We are well on our way to breaking company records for 2019.

But what do all the numbers mean? Obviously, we’re helping to arrest thieves, vandals and trespassers. But the impact goes far beyond putting suspects into handcuffs and behind bars.

Kirk Roberts--who retired as a lieutenant in Texas with 32 years’ experience in law enforcement in Dallas-Fort Worth—explains how monitored video security systems help police officers do their jobs.

Improving arrest rates

“Verifying a crime with live video greatly reduces or eliminates false alarms,” says Roberts, who is also a U.S. army veteran and graduated from the FBI National Academy. When a Command Center, or monitoring station, can confirm a crime in progress, officers know they are not heading off on a wild goose chase. There are suspects to catch.

Police officers, Roberts adds, appreciate the co-operation and support from Command Center operators. “They stay on the phone throughout the event and provide copies of video footage and reports to aid in court prosecutions.”

Access to live video

Offering access to live video of a crime in progress helps police locate suspects quickly and safely. Command Center operators often track suspects hiding on site and relay that information to officers as they approach. These detailed updates help to keep responding officers safe.

.“We can warn officers if an individual is armed with weapons or other harmful items,” says Roberts.

Because they don’t go in blind, officers can take appropriate steps if, for example, a robber is hiding behind a container with a gun.

Multiplier effect

The insurance industry estimates that each apprehension prevents and/or resolves 33 other crimes. Roberts explains, “An apprehension deters the suspect, and perhaps others, from committing crimes where they were caught, and perhaps at other locations too.”

In other words, suspects, when caught, will think twice about returning, and they can’t commit more crimes if they’re in jail. Even if police were to release a trespasser, that person will be less likely to come back. A thief handcuffed and forced to return his loot will realize it isn’t worth it to try and steal again from that site or any other site that has remotely monitored video protection.

Apprehended individuals, says Roberts, are sometimes linked to other crimes or may be able to provide information on suspects who may be responsible for other crimes. A suspect may have an outstanding warrant or be already known to police. Once caught, she may become an informant and help solve other crimes.

These are some of the reasons why each apprehension prevents far more than one crime. So, if you multiply each of our 404 apprehensions by 33 crimes solved, Radius Security has helped stop or solve more than 10,000 crimes for this year to date. Isn’t that something to celebrate?

Trick or Treat: Security Tips for Halloween

schuwriter@gmail.com (Susanna Chu) — Fri, 25 Oct 2019 23:24:36 GMT

Do you have a costume for Halloween yet? Whether you’re dressing up for the office, for a party, or for the kids in your neighbourhood, chances are you’ll be celebrating All Hallow’s Eve. Last year, more than 175 million Americans celebrated, and 7 out of 10 consumers planned to hand out candy.

Here are some ways you can prepare your home or business for the little ghosts and goblins, and big ones, who come to ask for treats or play tricks.

1. Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED)

You can deter theft and vandalism by improving visibility around a property. Take a walk around your building and the perimeter of your property and look for any weak points.

Do trees and shrubs, and the decorations on them, obscure the view of your building from the street?
Is your property fenced in, front and back, with a lockable gate?
Have you installed bright lighting outside, especially around entrances and walkways?
Are your exterior doors and windows secure? Solid-core doors with dead-bolt locks are a good idea for homes.
Do you have a clear view of your sheds and outbuildings from the main building?

2. Vandalism

Cars are twice as likely to be vandalized on Halloween as on any other day. At home, park your vehicle in a garage or in a well-lit area. Roll up your windows, lock your doors and engage your alarm system.

For auto dealerships, construction sites and other sites with outdoor assets, in addition to the CPTED principles above, your best defence is an event-triggered security system. Security cameras that issue an alert if, for example, a group of teens decides to celebrate by throwing eggs, smashing windows or climbing cranes.

A similar system works well for monitoring retail display windows and entrance ways and outdoor storage areas.

How to prevent vandalism at construction sites and auto dealerships

3. Theft

Halloween is also a busy retail holiday, with many businesses drawing trick-or-treaters all day and night. With the increased traffic comes more opportunities for shoplifters. This is a good time to review your indoor security cameras. Is your analog CCTV unit still doing the job? Perhaps it’s time to upgrade to a DVR system with alarm verification, just in case some goblins decide to sneak in after hours.

6 tips for upgrading from analog to IP security cameras

4. Slips, Falls and Fires

While you’re taking your CPTED walk around your building, keep an eye for any slippery or uneven patches on your pavement or steps. Consider using electric lights instead of candles to light up your walkway or pumpkins. If you think it’s funny to scare the little ones when you open your door, just don’t. The last thing you need is some little fairy to bolt down your stairs, trip on your uneven path, knock over a candle and set your decorations on fire. And just in case any of that happens? Take a look at whether your insurance policy covers slips and falls on your property, or candle fires.

Have a safe and happy Halloween!

Sources:

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. York Regional Police.
Halloween Fast Facts. CNN, November 5, 2018.
Halloween Safety Tips for Homes and Businesses. Insurance Programs of America.

Note: This blog discusses general safety and security topics. It is not intended to provide comprehensive advice or guidance. In all matters of personal safety and security, We encourage readers to research topics in depth and consult a security professional about specific concerns.

Storm Warning: How Severe Weather Affects Outdoor Security

schuwriter@gmail.com (Susanna Chu) — Thu, 03 Oct 2019 14:00:00 GMT

Texas folks know all about thunder and lightning and high winds. This past June, in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, 90˚ F humidity collided with a 70˚F cold front to generate downburst winds that hit 71 mph winds at Dallas Love Field.* Hundreds of North Texans lost power. And a construction crane killed one person and injured five others when it crashed into an Old East Dallas apartment building. [full story]

Edmontonians could empathize as they crawled out from a soggy summer plagued by hail, thunderstorms, flooding, and tornadoes. One August hailstorm caused $89 million in damage to the area. That followed a long winter that included Edmonton’s coldest February in 40 years and a heavy snowfall to end April. Toronto, meanwhile, started the year with snowstorm after snowstorm and wind chill temperatures dropping below -30˚C.**

When you store valuable assets outdoors, such extreme weather events can affect security solutions. While there’s not much anyone can do to prevent natural disasters, you can still take steps to protect your property. When faced with hurricane-force winds and heavy rain at a construction site, for example, you can

Brace building components, store loose materials, erect windbreaks and secure equipment. Batten down anything that could become a projectile.
Evaluate site drainage and identify areas which may flood.
Ensure your roof is secure and the building is watertight before installing drywall and flooring.
Plan for where to install a temporary roof.
Have an emergency preparedness plan in place.

After a storm, secure your site and assess damage. Are your valuables still locked up? Are your fences secure? How will you prevent theft? Although thieves will hunker down during a tornado or a blinding blizzard, many will take advantage of the aftermath of a storm. Video-analytics-enabled security cameras can screen for rain, hail, snow and other weather elements, and issue an alert if an intruder braves the elements to help clear out your site. Such a system also allows you to monitor your premises during a thunderstorm from the comfort of your office.

The best way to protect outdoor assets is with an event-triggered security system that takes into account weather conditions.

*32˚C, 21˚C and 114 kph, respectively

**-22 ˚ F

The ultimate guide to remote surveillance

How you'll know it's time to secure your construction site

Sources:

Jesus Jimenez. Here’s what made conditions ripe for destructive storms in Dallas-Fort Worth. Dallas News, June 10, 2019.

Global News. Edmonton Weather and Toronto Weather

Preparing Your Construction Site for Severe Weather. The Travelers Companies,

Note: This blog discusses general safety and security topics. It is not intended to provide comprehensive advice or guidance. In all matters of personal safety and security, We encourage readers to research topics in depth and consult a security professional about specific concerns.

5 benefits of live video monitoring

schuwriter@gmail.com (Susanna Chu) — Fri, 09 Aug 2019 14:00:00 GMT

Why install a security system with live video monitoring? The obvious answer is to catch criminals. A live video feed allows Command Center operators to track suspects and notify police of a verified crime in progress. That, in turn, gives the incident priority status and often leads to apprehensions before significant damage or loss occurs. That’s the obvious reason for using live video monitoring. Such a system, however, brings significant benefits in other areas.

1. Job site safety. Security cameras with live video feeds help ensure workers comply with established health and safety policies. Operators may be able to spot a dangerous situation, prevent injuries and dispatch help quickly. After an accident, the video can be analyzed to identify risk factors and prevent future accidents. The footage can also be used for future training sessions.

Improving Safety with Video Surveillance Solutions by Anthony Incorvati (Occupational Health & Safety; June 1, 2018)
Security systems improve employee safety (Radius blog)

2. Impaired employees. Heavy machinery. Torches. Exposed high-altitude platforms. Bulky material loads. A job site is the last place you want to find impaired employees. Yet drug and alcohol impairment has long plagued the construction industry. With live video monitoring, operators can spot erratic behaviour and perhaps prevent a fatal accident.

Video surveillance and impairment on job sites (Radius blog)

3. Risk and liability. A monitored security system deters would-be thieves and intruders. Since a large percentage of thefts are committed by employees, continuous monitoring—using video analytics software--is an important risk management tool. DVRs can also prevent false liability claims. Many businesses from retailers to health clubs to job sites face personal injury claims by visitors. Clear video footage weeds out the scams.

Risk Management – Video Surveillance Systems. (Reinig Insurance Systems; January 23, 2014)

4. Insurance costs. Since security systems reduce risks and liability, insurance companies often offer discounts between 5% and 20% if you install one. A system with 24/7 live video monitoring--much more effective than traditional CCTV--typically qualifies for a higher discount. This blogger, in fact, notes that stand-alone CCTV cameras may not qualify for a discount at all, but reduced insurance costs are a nice bonus for installing a more effective monitored video security system.

Do security cameras reduce insurance? (DD Countermeasures blog: March 17, 2019)

5. Management. Live video monitoring allows you to keep an eye on your business from anywhere with an Internet connection. You can observe employees, production processes, progress of construction in real time. Live video monitoring can be useful as a management tool, so that you can see what’s going on, beyond oral and written reports.

While a live video monitoring system secures your property and prevents theft, it is also an important management tool that improves efficiency and brings savings in other areas.

Note: This blog discusses general safety and security topics. It is not intended to provide comprehensive advice or guidance. In all matters of personal safety and security, We encourage readers to research topics in depth and consult a security professional about specific concerns.

7 Ways to Deter Trespassers

schuwriter@gmail.com (Susanna Chu) — Thu, 18 Jul 2019 14:00:00 GMT

In the first six months of 2019, our Redhanded security system led to 226 police apprehensions. The vast majority of those apprehensions, whether at construction sites, auto dealerships or other sites, involved trespassers. So, what are the best ways to deter trespassers on your property?

1. Install a fence. A simple chain-link fence marks off the perimeters of your property to prevent passersby from accidentally wandering onto your property. It is also more difficult to take items off site with a fence in the way. However, our Command Center often watches suspects cut or push through fences and climb over them. They can be breached

2. Block any equipment or supplies from view. Use construction banners and similar barriers to block the view of any assets from the street. Keeping your valuables out of sight is one of the best ways of deterring theft and vandalism.

Recently, Radius Security introduced a banner program to help our customers with deterring trespassers. We find that when items are out of sight, it is less likely for people to try to steal them. If you would like more information on this program, please contact your sales representative for more details or call 877-632-2407.

3. Add a gate. A fence with a sturdy gate and lock is more secure than a fence alone, but still needs to be supplemented. An access control system can help you track persons entering and exiting the site.

How gate access control cuts costs, improves safety

4. Put up signs. Highly visible “no trespassing” signs may deter casual visitors. For more determined offenders, warning signs make it clear suspects are knowingly entering a property without permission, the definition of trespassing. In states like Texas according to the Penal Code Title 7. Offences against Property which states that in order to be criminal trespassing without consent the “trespasser” must have (1) had notice that the entry was forbidden. This specific “No Trespassing” verbiage will help prosecute suspects, if anyone successfully enters your job site or car lot.

5. Install lighting. Strong, bright lights make it much harder for suspects to sneak onto a site, and much easier to expose them. Access points and storage areas, especially, need to be well lit. Proper lighting also indicates workers may be on site.

6. Lock it up! Don’t tempt trespassers. Keep your valuables out of sight and secure. At a construction site, for example, lock away your tools, equipment and copper wiring. In particular secure tools, such as saws, which can be used to break locks and fences. At an auto dealership, block your exits so that it is obviously difficult to drive vehicles away.

7. Consider a monitoring company that doesn’t solely rely on lights and sirens. While these may scare off persons who accidentally wander onto a property, Radius operators often find determined trespassers ignore such warnings—until the police arrive.

Virtually all of our Command Center’s 226 apprehensions this year began with an alert issued by a video-analytics-enabled Redhanded camera. While operators tracked a suspect’s movements on video, they also notified police. The video alarm verification ensured a high-priority police response so that officers could swiftly apprehend any trespassers and either take them into custody or escort them off site. Even one apprehension, studies show, can prevent or solve up to 30 additional crimes.

Note: This blog discusses general safety and security topics. It is not intended to provide comprehensive advice or guidance. In all matters of personal safety and security, We encourage readers to research topics in depth and consult a security professional about specific concerns.