Sonitrol Security

Sonitrol Commercial Security Blog ... by Joe Wilson

 

  

Man Caught Stealing Tires From Compound - Helicopter Dispatched

Posted by Joe Wilson

Feb 12, 2016 11:00:00 AM

wardtire.png

I am writing to say thank you to the Calgary Police Department for their remarkable response to a B&E in my tire compound over the weekend.  Just after 2:00AM on Saturday morning, your Sonavision Live Monitored Video system detected a man entering my compound and dispatched the Calgary Police immediately. 

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, SonaVision Online Monitoring

Reducing Internal Employee Theft in Retail

Posted by Joe Wilson

Feb 2, 2016 1:56:58 PM

Retailers know how important managing loss prevention is. From robbery and shoplifting, to internal causes such as shipping and accounting errors - the opportunities for loss sometimes outweigh a retailer’s resources for managing it. One of the most prevalent and growing crimes is employee theft. Out of all theft related incidents, over 33% is due to employee theft up from 19% in 2008, according to Retail Council of Canada and PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. Retailers are turning to more sophisticated ways to monitor inventory and prevent internal loss. We’ve come up with a list of tips you can follow to reduce the risk and instance of employee theft.

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Topics: Retail Security, CCTV Video Surveillance

Keeping Your Dealership Safe With SonaVision Verified CCTV

Posted by Joe Wilson

Jan 29, 2016 2:30:00 PM

Car dealerships, RV dealerships, and all kinds of vehicle and machinery dealerships, face many different security risks. With open lots, glass showrooms, and service centres filled with valuable inventory - it’s no wonder they become a target for theft and vandalism.

Dealerships are vulnerable not only to break-ins to try and get the keys, but also to theft by stripping vehicle parts such as catalytic converters, air bags, navigation systems, pick-up tailgates, tires, and rims.  You have valuable assets to protect - so security should be top of mind.

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Topics: Retail Security, CCTV Video Surveillance, SonaVision Online Monitoring, Security for Auto Dealerships

Is Your Place of Worship As Secure As It Could Be?

Posted by Joe Wilson

Jan 28, 2016 10:11:37 AM

 

Many places of worship in Canada have no formal safety and security measures in place. There are inherent safety and security risks to take into account, and for some locations there are greater levels of risk that will need to be properly assessed and managed. But usually there’s no security system in place, no safety committee, no partnership with first responders, no training and no emergency plans.

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, Office Workplace Security, Security for Place of Worship

Providing Security for Garages and Parking Lots

Posted by Joe Wilson

Jan 11, 2016 9:30:00 AM

Because garages and parking lots contain valuable vehicles and possibly valuable contents car owners and their passengers could be potential victims theft and violence. Garages and parking lots are frequently favoured "hunting grounds" for robbers and thieves - so owners and operators have a big responsibility for safety.
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Topics: Security Tips, CCTV Video Surveillance

3 Reasons Why CCTV Is Not a Total Security Solution

Posted by Joe Wilson

Dec 16, 2015 9:00:00 AM

I often get asked by people checking out security systems for their business for first time, “I’m looking for an electronic security system for my business, should I go with a CCTV system purchased from by local electronics retailer or Big Box Store?”  

The simple answer is “No”  and here's why:

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, SonaVision Online Monitoring

How Verified Alarm Systems Stop False Alarms

Posted by Joe Wilson

Dec 4, 2015 10:00:00 AM

False alarms happen all the time with conventional alarm systems and as a business owner, they leave you with a difficult decision to make.  

Do you dispatch police immediately and possibly incur a false alarm fee or do you check on your business first to make sure it's a real threat and by the time you get there it's already to late.  A staggering 94% of all alarm activations are false.

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, Monitored Audio Alarms, Prevent False Alarms

Police Respond to Sonitrol Verified Alarms In Just 3.5 Minutes

Posted by Joe Wilson

Nov 9, 2015 1:16:00 PM


The purpose of any security system is two-fold; deter criminals from trying to break-in (because they're afraid of being caught), and if they do break-in, catch them before they cause damage and steal your property. In my previous two blog posts I've written about the fact that conventional alarms don't catch criminals, and they aren't much of a deterrent. Now let's look at verified alarms - that catch criminals in the act of committing a crime.

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, Police Response to Sonitrol, Verified Security Alarms, Prevent False Alarms

Commercial thefts spike by 70% in Calgary over 2014

Posted by Joe Wilson

Sep 18, 2015 10:03:20 AM

A few weeks ago, The Calgary Sun reported a spike in commercial thefts last year … by a staggering 70%!  According to Calgary Police, this unbelievable spike in thefts can be attributed to an increase in opiate drug use and the economic downturn. 

"Calgary has seen a reduction in marijuana, powder cocaine and crack cocaine demand and a higher demand for the opiate drugs, oxycontin, heroin and in particular the fentanyl drugs, which are highly addictive [and] very dangerous when you're coming down, which means you need to get another hit of the fentanyl again.” - Supt. Kevin Stuart

The combination of drug use and job loss has contributed to this huge increase in theft … creating a truly desperate criminal looking to support their use of a highly addictive and dangerous drug.

"Thirty-five thousand Calgarians have lost their jobs, which affects a lot more people than that, so that's a significant number of people in a city the size of Calgary out of work."  -Supt. Kevin Stuart 

Commercial theft includes construction site robberies, including new home build sites and fenced compounds, where valuable metals such as copper wire is stored.  In addition to theft of precious metals like copper, these new building sites are also vulnerable to theft of appliances like furnaces, air conditioning units, tools and hot water tanks.

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Topics: Security Tips, CCTV Video Surveillance, Prevent Copper Theft, Security for Construction Sites

Sonitrol Criminal Captures - Top 10 Lessons Learned

Posted by Joe Wilson

Sep 11, 2015 7:45:22 AM

I’ve been in this security business for a long time.  So I’ve seen some very interesting and entertaining break-in attempts caught on Sonitrol cameras.  But the question I often find myself asking when I watch criminal capture videos is “Why did you ever think you’d get away with this"?  Even when the Police arrive on-scene, I wonder why some of these criminals act like fools, they don’t just give in ... they run and they hide, but they’re always caught.

One thing I do know – criminals behave in similar ways, their patterns are often repeated, so I can group some of the most stupid criminal acts into a top 10 list.  Here are some of the “lessons learned” from the many criminal apprehensions Sonitrol has been part of when using our verified security systems:

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Topics: Security Tips, CCTV Video Surveillance

How Can I Prevent Vandalism On My Property?

Posted by Joe Wilson

Aug 31, 2015 7:54:00 AM

We often talk about protecting your business from the losses associated with theft and robbery – but what about vandalism?

Vandalism can cause huge losses to your business and almost every industry has the potential to be vandalized.


Over the years I’ve heard many cases of the same school being vandalized repeatedly, and even restaurants, car dealerships and religious organizations are all vulnerable to vandals.  And the persons responsible can be anyone from mischievous kids who decide to break into their rivals school, to gangs defacing your property with graffiti.

“In the USA vandalism costs schools, homeowners, businesses, governments and others more than $15 billion a year.”U.S Department of Justice

 

The cost of vandalism is very high – if you’re lucky enough to have insurance that covers repairs and replacements of vandalized property, you’ll still be facing an interruption of business ... and your premiums will likely go up.  

 

What if you’re business infrastructure is damaged or your entire fleet of vehicles is unusable?  This can take time to repair – reducing your potential revenue for that period.

And depending on the amount of damage or frequency of vandalism, you may be facing lost sales or a loss of trust and credibility. 

 

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, Verified Security Alarms

Why Does Conventional CCTV Fail to Protect Fenced Compounds?

Posted by Joe Wilson

Aug 14, 2015 6:31:43 AM

Fenced compounds and fences construction sites often contain valuable stock, equipment, building materials or vehicles … making them an appealing target for would-be thieves.  And in the eyes of a criminal, a fenced perimeter is only a small hurdle between them and your valuable items.

There are many cases of break-ins where the criminal has simply hopped the fence or cut through it … and sometimes even smashed through the front gate with their vehicle.  Or worse, maybe one of your employees has purposely left the gate unlocked to allow the thieves to gain entry.

But what if you’ve already implemented security measures to protect your compound from theft and vandalism?  

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, SonaVision Online Monitoring, Security for Fenced Compounds, Verified Security Alarms

Eliminate False Alarms They Waste Valuable Police Resources

Posted by Joe Wilson

Aug 4, 2015 12:07:00 PM

 

It’s one of the biggest issues facing local municipalities and provincial governments across Canada – the high cost of providing public safety and security through policing.  Policing, whether managed through local forces or outsourced to larger organizations like the RCMP, is expensive and is a big part of public budgets everywhere.

  

This is happening at a time when public security is receiving much more attention; cyber crime, international crime rings, gang crime, smuggling, fraud networks, and terrorism. Police forces are put in the unenviable position of needing to do more work with less funding.

 

The largest draws on police time is answering false alarms. It’s estimated that alarms for break-ins and theft can make up 20% of calls to police services. And here’s the real problem - over 97% of the alarm calls to police are false alarms …  costing major cities over $12 million per year ... what a waste!

 

Police units don’t have the time to respond to false alarms. It’s clearly a waste of vital resources and taxpayers dollars.

 

If all false alarms could be eliminated tomorrow, the police would gain time to work on real issues that are impacting your community. Could the police use a 20% increase in manpower - you bet they could!

 

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, SonaVision Online Monitoring, Police Response to Sonitrol, Verified Security Alarms, Prevent False Alarms

Why Is CCTV Video Surveillance Important To Your Business?

Posted by Joe Wilson

Jun 26, 2015 11:41:44 AM

Having good CCTV security is an important issue for a lot of businesses, especially if you're running a restaurant, store or warehouse.

You have to be cautious for several reasons, customers can sometimes become thieves, gangs and thugs may be wondering around your community, or there could be irresponsible vandals who just enjoy creating trouble. Therefore you have to to take precautions to protect yourself and your business with a proper CCTV video surveillance system to ensure that things are running as they should. 

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance

What Type Of CCTV Camera Should I Buy?

Posted by Joe Wilson

Jun 18, 2015 8:50:00 AM

A CCTV security system is essential for any type of business or public organization. Therefore it’s vital to select the right CCTV camera for the right location and application.

There are lots of CCTV cameras to choose from on the market today, with many different features and options, resulting in a confusing array of various types, styles, and configurations. But which is best for your intended business security application?

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, Verified Security Alarms

Which CCTV Camera System Is Best To Protect Your Business?

Posted by Joe Wilson

Jun 12, 2015 7:22:18 AM

 

Every second counts when a criminal attempts to gain entry into your business.  It may take only a few minutes for thieves to get away with your precious goods or cause significant damage to your premises. 

 

Using a CCTV security system can help prevent crime. CCTV Video technology has come a long way over the years and can be a powerful deterrent to theft and vandalism, but choosing the right CCTV system may be a challenge, as there are a lot of options available.


Conventional CCTV cameras just record what they see and can help you supervise staff, view customers, ensure WCB rules are being followed, and even help you record the fact that the right products were shipped or received without damage.  

 

But did you know that conventional CCTV cameras are not an effective protection against asset theft or vandalism. Conventional CCTV cameras do not catch criminals for the simple fact that they are often not integrated into a larger alarm system, they're not monitored 24/7 by security professionals, and they are unverified.  

 

The truth is, conventional CCTV cameras are ineffective and downright useless in providing real security monitored protection and stopping crimes-in-progress.

 

If you want to stop a crime-in-progress, and prevent criminals from gaining entry to your site and stealing your inventory, then you need a more sophisticated "Verified CCTV" security system.

 

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, SonaVision Online Monitoring, Verified Security Alarms

The 6 Best CCTV Locations To Protect Your Business

Posted by Joe Wilson

Jun 3, 2015 11:55:00 AM

 

No matter what type of business you're in, an integrated CCTV surveillance security system is one of the best ways to protect your property, building, compound, construction site, office, warehouse, school, retail store or church. 

Investing in a modern closed-circuit television (CCTV) system that is integrated with security technologies such as audio detection, managed access and 24/7 verified video monitoring can save you money and time, while reducing insurance premiums and potential losses.

Using CCTV cameras is also one of the best ways to help keep your employees and customers honest and safe, providing a watchful eye to deter crime and keep you informed. 

But where are the best places to position your CCTV system to make sure you minimize your risks? 

 

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Topics: Security Tips, CCTV Video Surveillance, Office Workplace Security, Building Access Control

What Type Of Alarm System Do You Need To Secure Your School?

Posted by Joe Wilson

May 27, 2015 6:58:14 AM

School_VandalismWe all know that a safe and nurturing environment is a necessary foundation for education. 

 

Unfortunately schools, colleges and universities have become increasingly vulnerable to crime and violence and security breaches in schools do happen, both during class time and after hours. 

 

Currently in the US a school is three times more likely to be burglarized than a business, and vandalism costs to schools total more than $1 billion a year. Fortunately the numbers are far better here in Western Canada, but we still have to be aware that security is now part of our every day lives and that educators need to concentrate on teaching, not on how to make their environment safer. 

 

Here at Sonitrol we understand the unique challenges faced by public and private schools, universities, colleges and educational institutions. We specialize in providing innovative alarm systems and security solutions that secure public and private buildings, that will improve overall safety, and protect students, educators, and the general public.

 

We can help secure educational institutions with the best security systems available and stay within your budget. We offer protection against fire, theft, vandalism and unwanted visitors for your school with a fully integrated Sonitrol system. The cost of repairing vandalism by far outweighs the cost of the security systems that can prevent vandalism from happening.

 

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, Security Systems for Schools

What's The Best Way To Secure Your Construction Site Or Compound?

Posted by Joe Wilson

May 21, 2015 11:45:52 AM

 

Construction sites and compounds frequently have security problems, break-ins after dark, and employee pilfering during the day.

 

One of the best preventative measures I recommend to stop these types of crimes, is to install a remotely monitored CCTV camera surveillance system that will automatically trigger an alarm when a potential criminal event occurs. 

 

This is not a conventional CCTV system that just records what takes place, this is a Sonitrol construction security system, called SonaVision, that instantly relays or "pushes" the video stream to a 24/7 central monitoring station, where professional monitoring staff can view and assess if the activity is potentially criminal, or just a false alarm.

 

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, SonaVision Online Monitoring, Security for Construction Sites, Building Access Control

Why Are Verified Alarms The Best Business Burglar Alarms?

Posted by Joe Wilson

Apr 30, 2015 6:36:21 AM

When your alarm goes off in the middle of the night, you need the peace of mind knowing that criminals are apprehended before they are able to do any damage to your business.

 

Verified security solutions are the most effective method of securing and protecting your business.  They not only reduce your false alarm rate, but they also ensure fast police response times and criminal apprehensions. 

 

Verified alarms help police catch criminals so they don’t get away with your precious goods, endanger your employees or vandalize your property.

 

What Is A Verified Alarm?

 

Integrated Sonitrol security technology is unique. We use two types of verified security alarmsaudio intrusion detection and live monitored video - CCTV.  When your alarm is tripped, our unique push technology allows our expert operators to monitor your business live via these audio and CCTV security systems from the central monitoring station.

 

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Topics: CCTV Video Surveillance, SonaVision Online Monitoring, Monitored Audio Alarms, Verified Security Alarms

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Joe Wilson, Owner of Sonitrol Western Canada

We provide our customers with the best commercial security solutions and quality service backed by our unique Guarantee and Commitment to Service. It's something unverified conventional alarm companies simply cannot guarantee!


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