Watching Over Children and Senior Citizens

Probably one of the most emotional aspects associated with non-security video relates to monitoring for physical abuse — specifically child abuse and that of the aged in nursing facilities.

Before consumers became aware of the potential of video cameras, there emerged a number of products that the industry often refers to as “nanny cams.” In most cases, these devices were simple board cameras installed in a variety of common devices such as pictures, radios, pillows, teddy bears and clocks.

In mainstream security video, these devices are commonly referred to as covert cameras. Whatever they’re called, these devices lend themselves well to any situation that requires anonymity, as both wireless and hardwired units are readily available.

Daycare facilities are a good place to start. The advantage for daycare centers is a parent’s ability to check on their little ones at any time. The more innovative and creative among daycare providers will actually sell the privilege to view their facility’s video system to the parents of the children they baby-sit, while others provide it as part of their overall service.

At the same time, it’s been said the daycare video market has run its course. “Some daycare centers may still be open to video, but many of them really don’t want it anymore,” Bitton says. “Video in these places came and went really quickly.”

The reason appears to involve the fear of self-incrimination as it relates to liability. Still, there are daycare providers that continue to view video as an advantage rather than a liability.

Ports, Highways are Among Government Applications

Outdoor video for applications other than security is fast becoming a popular issue with local government and federal agencies. During the past few years, transportation- and environmental- related departments have come to rely on video.

“We’re just putting the finishing touches on a job that involves a shipping terminal and port facility where many trucks and containers will be processed each day,” says Bitton. “In this 400-acre complex, they intend to use video to watch traffic as it flows into and from the facility.”

In a large facility such as this, it’s important for management to regulate trucks and other vehicles as they flow into and from key areas. In order to do that properly, video is an absolute must. Bitton’s firm will use IP-based cameras, as they have on similar jobs.

“We will use the Sony SNCRZ25N camera because it does everything we need it to do. It’s an all-in-one networking camera that allows us to pan, tilt and zoom over the client’s network,” says Bitton. “Most of these cameras are 48 feet up on 120-foot light masts, while a few are mounted on buildings.”

Public use of video for traffic control is another potential source for security companies.

“We’ve had personal experience in setting up cameras that would allow for observation of traffic patterns and conditions to assist public safety agencies. They use it as a tool to advise emergency crews as to what routes to take when they receive a call for help,” says McKimm of ProTech Security.

This is an important issue to responding paramedics and firefighters simply becau
se minutes count when lives are at stake. Traffic snarls can mean the difference between life and death for someone having a heart attack or when there’s been an accident.

“We have a lot of construction work on Interstate 77 [Ohio] that travels through our township. We set up these IP cameras at interchanges to allow emergency services to view traffic conditions in real-time,” says McKimm. “They use this to decide whether or not to take a particular route to an emergency call.”

Market Opportunities Limited Only by Imagination

This story has touched on only a small number of non-security video applications. There are many others that security companies can consider when marketing non-security video services to potential clients.

The only limits on potential solutions for clients are in the minds of the seller. It took just one dealer or integrator to tackle many of the applications shown in this article for the first time, and there are potentially many more that have yet to be tapped.

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