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Video Surveillance at Concerts and Musical Performances

Video surveillance can play a significant role in maintaining order and preventing crime at concert events where large excitable crowds, and often alcohol, are present. A security staff alone can only do so much. But with the proper surveillance camera system, it's possible to keep an entire facility under safe watch, thus keeping the focus on the music while establishing a good image for the venue or music festival.

View blog posts relating to concert video surveillance.

Benefits of Concert Surveillance

• Easy installation – IP (Internet Protocol) video surveillance systems are easy to install and provide great flexibility. Cameras can be mounted anywhere throughout the venue, and wireless IP cameras are well-suited for a festival setting. The devices communicate and send feeds across an IP network.
• Crowd control – Large exuberant crowds and concerts go hand in hand. But when things get testy, security cameras can spot the action, allowing security workers to maintain order, while capturing valuable footage of those acting out of line
• Provide safe passage – Entering and exiting a concert venue can be quite an ordeal, with a healthy mass of people all trying to get to the same place at the same time. Monitoring a facility's entrances and exits helps in lessening interruptions and disturbances along the way.
• Deter violence – High emotions, large crowds, and alcohol can lead to violent behavior. Security cameras help to deter and monitor questionable activity.
• Prevent theft – Video surveillance can monitor for theft in the crowd, and the placement of cameras around load-in/load-out areas helps to reduce the risk of equipment theft.
• Prevent drug use and underage drinking – Cameras can monitor the crowd for illegal activities such as the consumption of alcohol by minors, and drug use.
• Protect the stage – Monitoring the stage area helps to protect the performers, and lessens the chance of audience members rushing the stage.
• Remote access – With an IP surveillance system, video streams sent to an NVR (network video recorder) can be viewed remotely over the internet. Security workers can also operate the cameras from a remote location.

Risks of Venue CCTV

• Privacy – Cameras should be installed to monitor public areas throughout the venue. Areas such as bathrooms however, are considered private, and should not be equipped with surveillance cameras.
• Vandalism and damage – Cameras mounted in public places could suffer damage from vandalism and tampering.
• Outages – In the rare event of a power outage, other security measures should be in place in case the surveillance system fails.

Configuration of Security Cameras at Concert Halls and Arenas

Concert venues and music festival locations are often extremely crowded and prone to unpredictable behavior. In order to properly monitor the scene, it's important to have an effective surveillance system. Consider the following factors in determining the proper setup for your needs:

• What are the most prevalent security issues at your venue?
• Is drug use a problem at your events?
• Is alcohol served at the venue, and is there a separate bar area?
• Does your venue put on major events such as festivals that result in significant overcrowding?
• Do you staff security at all entrances and exits?
• Is there a history of equipment theft at your venue?
• Is violence a problem at your venue?
• Is the stage area effectively secure?
• How safe is the neighborhood in which your facility is located?
• What areas of the venue are most susceptible to unruly behavior and crime?

Setup Advice for Orchestra and Symphony Security Cameras

• Position cameras so that it's possible to monitor the entire crowd.
• Mount cameras near entrances and exits to keep watch and capture images as crowds make their way to and from the event.
• Consider placing cameras near the stage for the protection of the performers.
• Use surveillance in areas where money is exchanged, such as ticketing booths and bars.
• To reduce the risk of theft, position cameras in areas where equipment is loaded, unloaded, and stored.
• For dark and poorly lit venues, employ cameras with low-light capabilities.