Security Cameras: Are They Staff Training Tools, Too?
Had a conversation the other day with a client. He is the facility manager of a public library system. We were there to train him on the security software program. At one point, we were discussing the addition of IP cameras within the library system when the conversation turned to uses of securty cameras.
He recounted a couple of incidents where staff failed to complete their closing procedures. In one, they neglected to check a reading room near the front entrance. The staff locked the door and departed for the evening. The two patrons came out of the reading room only to find themselves locked in. Alarms go off, police arrive to rescue the trapped patrons. The second incident found that washroom checks were ignored near closing time. Soon after the entrance was locked two patrons emerged from the washroom only to find themselves locked in. Alarms go off, police arrive and the two patrons are freed.
In both cases the camera clearly demonstrated that closing procedures were not followed. Employees were subsequently retrained.
Another incident proved a contractor error. A new magnetic lock was installed at a branch entrance. However, the lock was not tested. After the library had closed for the day the camera recorded people entering and then exiting the library. Alarms go off, police arrive only to discover the magnetic lock did not work. The contractor was called to repair it. As it turns out, it was installed improperly in the first place.
In all three cases the camera clearly identified the cause of the alarms and the solutions. Other uses for security cameras include:
If you don't, get some!
He recounted a couple of incidents where staff failed to complete their closing procedures. In one, they neglected to check a reading room near the front entrance. The staff locked the door and departed for the evening. The two patrons came out of the reading room only to find themselves locked in. Alarms go off, police arrive to rescue the trapped patrons. The second incident found that washroom checks were ignored near closing time. Soon after the entrance was locked two patrons emerged from the washroom only to find themselves locked in. Alarms go off, police arrive and the two patrons are freed.
In both cases the camera clearly demonstrated that closing procedures were not followed. Employees were subsequently retrained.
Another incident proved a contractor error. A new magnetic lock was installed at a branch entrance. However, the lock was not tested. After the library had closed for the day the camera recorded people entering and then exiting the library. Alarms go off, police arrive only to discover the magnetic lock did not work. The contractor was called to repair it. As it turns out, it was installed improperly in the first place.
In all three cases the camera clearly identified the cause of the alarms and the solutions. Other uses for security cameras include:
- Customer Service
- Traffic Monitoring
- Inventory Control
- Merchandising
If you don't, get some!
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