Privacy, what privacy? or Privacy with covert video?

While I have testified before a senate subcommittee about privacy, I really do not consider myself to be an expert. This is a subject often best left to competent attorneys. There are however, some basic rules regarding privacy and the use of covert cameras.

1. Respect anticipated privacy. You have been asked to put a covert camera into an office. What do you do? You need to assume that the occupant of that office can close the door and then expects privacy. You, or the company you are working with, must get the approval of the person who occupies that office. Most of the time, that person is happy about it because they are the victim of past crimes. If the “office” is a general office where many people work or visit that particular place, privacy is generally not expected and concealed cameras should not be a problem.

2. A woman called us and asked what kind of camera might be best suited to her daughters bedroom. She explained that she suspected her daughter may be using illegal drugs. What would you do? It was explained to her, that it would be an invasion of her daughters privacy. So, while we sympathize with her dilemma, she would be wrong in using cameras as a method to uncover the truth.

Obviously, bathrooms can never have cameras, even just at the sink area. In business locations, sometimes covert or overt cameras are needed and are installed just outside of bathrooms.

While we seem to have little privacy today, we need to carefully consider any privacy issues, before using covert cameras and systems.

Barry Levine is CEO of San Diego-based Sperry West, maker of
Spyder® video cameras and Video Commander® surveillance
kits. Levine has been leading video security companies for 40
years. He can be contacted at (858) 551-2000 or
barry@sperrywest.com.

How To Really Mess Up A Covert Video Surveillance

How to really mess up a covert video surveillance – #2 Now that you have selected the best camera for the surveillance, you need to position the camera for the best view. It is not always easy to find an ideal camera location for a disguised camera, so many times a compromise is needed.

Almost all covert cameras are supplied with 3.6 or 3.7mm lenses, which are considered to provide a wide angle picture. In reality we could call it a “mild wide angle”. You want to get as far back from the main subject as possible, so that you can get most of the room in the picture, right? Wrong.

One of the most common mistakes is to try and get everything in one picture. This will lead to a very small part of the picture showing the actual activity that is required for good evidence of a crime. Recognition of people and merchandise may be essential evidence and you need to consider this in placing the camera, rather than going for too much area. Try to concentrate the view on just what will be needed, based upon suspected past occurrences.

Barry Levine is CEO of San Diego-based Sperry West, maker of
Spyder® video cameras and Video Commander® surveillance
kits. Levine has been leading video security companies for 40
years. He can be contacted at (858) 551-2000 or
barry@sperrywest.com.

Why Old Cameras May Not Be Good For Surveillance

You just learned about a series of thefts and need to quickly arrange for a covert video surveillance. You don’t have time to go “shopping”, so you agree to let your team use whatever camera they can find that will not be seen by perpetrators.

More thefts in the same area occur and you play back the video only to realize that you do not have good evidence. Why? Most older cameras have degraded from their original specifications, which were barely okay years ago. Today’s cameras have much higher resolution and better low light ability, so using an old one may no longer be prudent

Old cameras may experience problems that are not noticed with a quick test. Consider being prepared for possible needs, just like many other security items that you keep available.

 

Barry Levine is CEO of San Diego-based Sperry West, maker of
Spyder® video cameras and Video Commander® surveillance
kits. Levine has been leading video security companies for 40
years. He can be contacted at (858) 551-2000 or
barry@sperrywest.com.

Are we stupid?

Many things have become over complicated, where we may wonder if it is the product or is it us, who can’t seem to make it work.  Video security cameras were easy for most people to hook up and use. Not so easy for many of them today. What happened? TVI happened as well as CVI, AHD, POE and enough acronyms to confuse anyone.

Even worse is the fact that most of these initials are not compatible with other initials!  All of these have complicated what was once easy. This affects every camera security system today, sometimes even the covert ones.  Sperry West makes cameras in all of these and other formats to fit with what our customers need. Plain old NTSC format with BNC connectors is still in wide use as the resolution has vastly improved in recent time.

Setting up a covert surveillance can be made quicker and easier using our Video Commander Kits, which are designed for many uses, but always simplicity.  Please see www.sperrywest.com covert cameras and Video Commander Kits.  Our techs can assist you in choosing the right equipment for your need.  Thank you,

Barry Levine is CEO of San Diego-based Sperry West, maker of
Spyder® video cameras and Video Commander® surveillance
kits. Levine has been leading video security companies for 40
years. He can be contacted at (858) 551-2000 or
barry@sperrywest.com.

Covert Video Is Different – Plus 8 important suggestions

Barry Levine is CEO of San Diego-based Sperry West, maker of
Spyder® video cameras and Video Commander® surveillance
kits. Levine has been leading video security companies for 40
years. He can be contacted at (858) 551-2000 or
barry@sperrywest.com

By Barry Levine

Crimes connected with government, business or institutional
facilities can be difficult to solve, as they are often committed by
people who are familiar with the facility and who are reasonably
knowledgeable about the preventative systems in place.

We know that video cameras often deter crime, but coverage rarely
is sufficient to prevent insiders from knowing where it is unlikely
that they will be caught committing crimes.

Theft and vandalism are frequent problems in most large
organizations. This and other criminal activity can often quickly
be solved through the use of covert video.

Covert cameras placed in areas where it is known that crimes have
occurred, often catch the perpetrator within one or two weeks.

Covert must be separated from the “normal” camera systems, as
most security departments do not have a “need to know”.
Sometimes a security person is the cause of the problem. It does
not matter whether the existing video system is IP or analog, covert
is different and generally should not be made  part of
“protective” systems.

A covert kit, specifically designed for quick deployment and ease of use, is the best way for any business, hospital or institution to be prepared to act as soon as any illegal activity is uncovered. Kits such as Sperry West’s “Video Commander” are equipped with several covert wireless cameras and record to a DVR inside of a closed case. The case can be several hundred feet away in another room.

Examples of actual crimes solved with this covert surveillance kit include: A pharmacist in a hospital, stealing pain medication and replacing it with lactose. An aerospace manufacturer consistently losing copper caught the government inspector stealing the copper.

An insurance company was sure about who was stealing petty cash and small items. The thefts were first noticed right after a new person was hired. Surveillance was set up and recorded someone else stealing. The surveillance actually saved the new employee who had done nothing wrong.

A national security company was asked by a client to set up a “sting” with a covert surveillance, as they were regularly hearing complaints of petty theft. The results recorded thefts by a guard employed by that same security company.

A large government contractor recorded an employee accessing a locked and secure file cabinet and stealing proprietary information.

Many retail organizations regularly catch employees stealing and are finding that the employee theft problem is even larger then shoplifting.

What experienced security directors and investigators know is that they must be prepared to deploy covert surveillance quickly and that it has no relation to their other video systems.

A few suggestions:

  1. “Need to know” applies to covert more than other systems. Most people love to share “secrets”, as it feeds their ego. This can destroy the effectiveness of your surveillance.
  2. When setting up surveillance, think like the person or people you expect to catch. What will they do, what will they see and what camera location will achieve the best evidence?
  3. Check the DVR program with each surveillance to be certain of recording at the highest quality possible. If a long time surveillance occurs, check periodically to make sure the hard drive has sufficient recording time available.
  4. Be certain to use reasonably high resolution cameras which will allow for a clear image(s), as well as the specific act you are recording.
  5. Test carefully. Actually simulate the occurrence you expect, record it and playback to be certain you have achieved results that will provide clear and sufficient evidence.
  6. The most common mistake is to try to include too much in one picture. When setting up the camera, it is important to recognize faces and details; a wide angle in a very large area may look nice but will rarely produce sufficient recognition of an individual.
  7. Most often, you cannot control the lighting in your surveillance area but careful camera placement can help with identification. Try to place the camera where it is not looking directly at the light, so the light should fall between your subject and the camera specifically, not behind the subject.
  8. While covert video systems are generally legal, it is against federal law to include audio within covert cameras (public law enforcement is an exception). Consult with your legal department or legal counselor. An excellent rule to follow is that if there would be an expectation of privacy by individuals normally permitted to be in a specific area then cameras would violate that expectation of privacy and therefore not be legal, unless permission is given by the person or persons normally working in that area.

Barry Levine is CEO of San Diego-based Sperry West, maker of
Spyder® video cameras and Video Commander® surveillance
kits. Levine has been leading video security companies for 40
years. He can be contacted at (858) 551-2000 or
barry@sperrywest.com.

Are You An Expert?

 

Barry Levine is CEO of San Diego-based Sperry West, maker of Spyder® video cameras and Video Commander® surveillance kits. Levine has been leading video security companies for 40 years. He can be contacted at (858) 551-2000 or barry@sperrywest.com

By Barry Levine

A friend once asked if I wouldn’t mind evaluating the specifics of a proposed security solution at a local nonprofit children’s shelter. “Barry, as an expert in video security, we would appreciate it if you can help us,” he inquired. As the story goes, funding for a video security system was approved by the Lions Club. They wanted to be certain the prospective installer’s price was fair and reasonable, and that the equipment selected as well as camera placements, were right for their purpose.

I set up an appointment and arrived trying to look the expert part. It was a tough act, though, because on a summer day in San Diego a suit and tie would be out of place. At least I have a gray beard to help with the sage and intellectual look.

… But Can You Walk the Walk?

Present at the meeting was a Lions Club board member, the shelter’s director and the owner of the alarm/CCTV installation company. I was introduced as “the expert” who had been asked to help them. This makes for an awkward enough situation. But when Roy, the owner of the alarm company, heard my introduction, he did something that has never happened to me before. He immediately asked, “What makes you an expert?” Wow! Experts are often paid big fees. I was free, so advice from me must not be very valuable. I didn’t have to fly in for the meeting and no limo was waiting to transport me. Maybe I needed the suit and tie to help fool this guy! Of course, I answered the question and appeared to satisfy him, and make the others smile comfortably. When I proclaimed Roy’s plans and price to be fair and effective (with minor adjustments), I’m sure he was happier about the “expert” they called in.

The $64,000 Question

I have been referred to as an expert many times, but am I really? What does make an expert? Does more than 40 years devoted to leading video surveillance companies count? Certainly I have learned quite a lot along the way, but I have also learned how much I don’t know. It is nice to know about old cameras with various size vidicon, plumicon, silicon and nuvicon tubes. Good to remember, not just time-lapse tape, but reel-to-reel recorders.

All of that knowledge is what we so-called “long-time industry experts” talk about in the bar after tradeshow hours. I even remember two-foot-long cameras with lens turrets. That really gives me bar bragging rights. Today’s experts speak of pixels, kbps speed, frame rate and their effects on resolution. WDR, OSD, DVR, NVR, MPEG, JPEG, H.264, and enough acronyms to sound like the government. Frankly, I have listened to some consultants who are considered experts mostly on the basis of one or more books they have authored. Many are not particularly knowledgeable despite doing some research and writing. The real experts I have known started their careers as technicians or electronic engineers who first studied electronics, then video, and constantly gained education as engineering techs.

Unfortunately, most of these folks have little experience in system design. Those who do are closer to being real experts. Experts at what? Technical and design, that is often what we mean, but are they also experts at running a business? Some probably become just that. So it seems we can define expert more by the specifics of what area their vast knowledge is derived.

Perhaps Roy has been in the alarm and video business long enough, and attained enough knowledge and kept up on the latest trends and equipment that he is now an “expert.” I think I will start the college of “Genuine Certified Expert” and issue GCEs — for a fee, of course.

Having authored this article I feel like an expert, at least until I come home and my wife asks me to throw out the garbage … just another area of my vast expertise and long-time experience.

Barry Levine is CEO of San Diego-based Sperry West, maker of Spyder® video cameras and Video Commander® surveillance kits. Levine has been leading video security companies for 40 years. He can be contacted at (858) 551-2000 or barry@sperrywest.com.

This article was published in Security Sales & Integration Magazine.

SSI

 

 

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