Video Surveillance on Campus
College campuses pose many unique challenges when it comes to security. A video surveillance system must be carefully planned out in order to keep watch over the diverse assortment of facilities that comprise a typical campus community. From dormitories and libraries to sports complexes and sprawling student grounds, there's a lot to look after. The proper surveillance setup will go a long way in ensuring the safety of students, faculty, and facilities on campus.
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Benefits of University Surveillance Equipment
- Maintain secure facilities – College campuses feature a variety of buildings, each with their own security needs. Video surveillance helps to secure these facilities, watching for suspicious behavior and unauthorized access.
- Protect students – Students have to cover a lot of ground when navigating their way through campus. This often involves traveling by foot, and sometimes the journey takes place late at night. Video surveillance is an invaluable tool, allowing students to wander the campus under safe watch.
- Deter crime – Security cameras can serve as a visual deterrent to crime such as theft and break-ins.
- Prevent vandalism – With proper video surveillance, the threat of vandalism to school property is lessened.
- Monitor parking lots – Security cameras can prevent and deter criminal activity and theft in parking lots throughout a campus community.
- Help in investigations – Archived surveillance footage can be used to identify individuals who have committed crimes or breached school policies.
- Assist in application of university policies – Surveillance cameras can monitor campus activity, working to ensure that school policies are properly followed.
- Easy installation – IP cameras are easy to install and set up. Unlike analog CCTV cameras, all you need to do is mount your cameras and hook up your recorder. No coaxial cable or power tools necessary.
- Remote Access – A video surveillance system operating with IP network technology enables video streams to be sent over the internet for remote monitoring. Footage from cameras throughout the campus can be viewed online from any computer with an internet connection and access to the network.
Risks and Potential Problems for College CCTV Systems
- Vandalism – Visible security cameras can be targets for vandalism and tampering. Damaged cameras can cause lapses in your recording.
- Privacy – Cameras should only record in public areas throughout the campus grounds and facilities. Private areas such as bathrooms, faculty break rooms, and dorm rooms are considered inappropriate for video surveillance installation.
- False sense of security – While video surveillance is effective in heightening campus safety, it's important to also have the necessary security staff and law enforcement patrolling the grounds.
Configuration Considerations for Security Cameras on Campus
Providing proper video surveillance over an entire campus community is almost like monitoring a small city. There are so many different types of facilities and settings that require continuous monitoring, with the safety of students, faculty, and school property at stake. The following factors should be considered when setting up a campus surveillance system:
- Have there been instances of violence on campus?
- Is vandalism a strong concern?
- Is there a history of damage to school property?
- Is the campus properly lit at night?
- Are there trouble areas on campus that require special attention?
- What is the frequency of burglaries on campus?
- Have there been instances of crime and theft in campus parking lots?
- What types of security systems are in place currently?
- Is the campus well-staffed with security personnel?
- What type of security is employed when school is out of session?
Best Practices for Video Surveillance on College and University Campuses
- Places cameras near entrances and exits to school buildings.
- Install surveillance for campus parking lots.
- Mount cameras in at-risk areas such as poorly lit walking paths and locations where students and faculty might find themselves alone and defenseless.
- Position cameras in campus stores, cashier offices, and other areas where money is exchanged.
- Have proper video surveillance for sports facilities.
- Monitor common areas such as stairways, lobbies
- Install security cameras for enhanced security at residence halls.