Video Monitoring of HOA Property
Protecting community assets and keeping neighborhoods safe are high priorities for most Homeowners Associations (HOAs). Accordingly, many neighborhoods install security cameras for video monitoring of HOA property. But how does a volunteer board manage the task of monitoring the hours of recorded footage? Who is actually watching the videos? It’s true that checking cameras after an event is helpful, but real-time monitoring may even prevent activities like vandalism and theft before they happen.
What is Video Monitoring
With video monitoring, a third party is contracted to watch video footage in real-time. This third party is alerted to events at your location and can dispatch the police or fire department or even contact an HOA board member to take action. Certain activities can be designated for monitoring (loitering, jumping the fence) and for certain times and schedules. In addition, if the camera system is tied to an existing burglar alarm, alerts can be set for door or window openings. This would trigger a camera-check to assess the situation. Another option is having a two-way audio set up that can be utilized to notify a suspicious person that they are on camera and being recorded. Often a warning can stop criminals before they act, especially for crimes of opportunity.
A scenario where non-resident vandals struck a local neighborhood pool could have turned out differently with real-time monitoring. Cameras were recording the incident, however because it was not being monitored, residents were not aware of the problem until the next day. Real-time monitoring could have alerted the HOA during the episode and prevented some of the damage by dispatching law enforcement at the time.
Benefits of Video Monitoring for HOAs
Real-time video monitoring helps HOAs manage security in many ways, including:
- assist in incident resolution by having evidence saved
- may prevent criminal activity, or catch them “in the act”
- relieve board members of having to manage video surveillance
- provide professional assessment of situations
- increase safety by preventing trespassing, at a pool or playground after hours, for example
- alert the Board to unsafe situations (broken tree limb or dangling wires)
We Can Help With Video Monitoring of HOA Property
Cultris Security specializes in custom security services and products, including security cameras and monitoring, to fit our customers’ exact needs and budget. Call us at (281)506-8466 today!
Image by Kelly Sikkema on Unsplash
