Home Video Surveillance CCTV Introduction

Video Surveillance: CCTV

CCTV, or closed circuit television, is an essential aspect of security for many convenience stores and small markets, and for good reason. Having long been easy targets for petty crime, convenience stores were one of the first private users of CCTV, and CCTV is used almost universally as a measure of security today.

While it is common knowledge that nearly all convenience stores will have one form of security camera or another, there are many different types of cameras and camera set ups utilized by convenience stores. In small stores, a single bullet camera may be placed in a strategic corner or behind the register. Larger stores may have several cameras placed around the store, behind the register, and pointed at the door. Monitors are commonly placed in a back office or behind a register. However, many stores, in hopes of deterring criminals, will place the monitor in plain view next to or above the register. CCTV cameras may be older analog cameras, or newer IP cameras. Some stores have even adapted webcams for personal computers to act as a CCTV system.

While nearly all stores use CCTV as a way to protect and secure their employees, stock, and customer base, the CCTV is always used in combination with older security methods.

These may include:

Bulletproof Plastic Barriers – many convenience stores in high risk neighborhoods will install these barriers to protect employees, cash, and high priced merchandise in case of robbery. Many of these barriers have a drawer for completing transactions, and a microphone so customers and employees can interact.

Height Markers – height markers consist of a pre-printed tape, metal strip, or marks applied directly to door jamb of an exit door. Usually going from ground height to seven feet, these marks can help identify fleeing criminals by helping cashiers and witnesses accurately determine their height. These have been proven to be inexpensive, effective ways to aid the pursuit and conviction of criminals.

Signs – prominent placement of signs or stickers that indicate anti-theft policy are easy and inexpensive deterrents to thieves. Anti-theft statements may relay that there is a low amount of cash in the register, that the store is monitored by a security service or foot patrol, or that the cashier has no access to the store safe.

Separation of Merchandise – Separation of expensive or limited sale merchandise like alcohol, cigarettes, contraceptives, adult materials from floor stock is a method used by many stores to limit theft losses and discourage crime. Many stores keep cigarettes and liquor behind the register, or in a cage to restrict access and prevent robbers from making “easy” money.

CCTV > History

Before the introduction of CCTV technology, crimes like robbery and shoplifting were serious problems for convenience stores. Their long hours, prominent locations, and mostly independent ownership made them prime targets for petty thieves. Sadly, many of these robberies ended violently, even with drastic security measures like police stake-outs.

In the mid-1970s, black and white video cameras were becoming an affordable security solution, and some stores began to install them, yielding drastically reduced crime rates. An ingenious law enforcement official invented a CCTV device called the “Crime Eye,” which activated a hidden video camera if money was pulled from a special clip in the register during a robbery. Unfortunately, in their early years, CCTV systems in convenience stores were faulty much of the time, or ran out of tape during crucial moments. The introduction of color cameras with higher quality lenses has helped security increase over the years. Now, many stores are beginning to use digital cameras for their CCTV systems, which provide higher quality, more reliable footage and are poised to make CCTV systems even safer for convenience stores.

CCTV > Future

Digital technology is helping convenience stores greatly improve their CCTV systems. Digital security cameras (or IP cameras) provide high quality full color security footage that can be digitally recorded. This is a great advantage over standard CCTV equipment, which presented problems with footage quality, storage space, and tape integrity. Digital footage provides consistently high quality footage that can be easily stored, deleted and recorded over again without worries over footage quality or integrity of storage.

In addition to making footage of crimes clear and high quality, rapidly developing digital technology will help convenience stores track customer patterns and suspicious behavior in the future. Video analytics, a process in the security camera which tracks motion and behavior independently, will allow convenience store owners to monitor customer movement and discern suspicious behavior in an effort to prevent crime. Video analytics capabilities can also help with marketing techniques by tracking how long customers stop in front of certain displays and their patterns throughout the store. This information is valuable for maximizing profits with strategically placed displays.

Another crucial theft problem faced by convenience stores is gas theft. Stores lose thousands of dollars each year from drivers who fill up and leave without paying. While certain security measures are in place, such as paying to unlock pumps and having attendants pump gas, video analytics presents a solution to this problem. CCTV cameras for parking lots are being developed with plate recognition technologies. This would allow clerks and supervisory staff to contact authorities and pursue gasoline thieves easily without having to chase after runaway cars or try to remember random plate numbers.

CCTV > Industry

Security cameras and CCTV are a crucial part of security in the convenience store industry. In fact, their installation is mandatory in many states in order for the stores to operate 24 hours per day. Security cameras are commonly used in conjunction with other security measures. Stores may have cameras and a motion detector on the door, or they may have a camera, motion detector, and a bulletproof glass barrier in addition to CCTV. Security solutions may be simple or complex, depending on the location of a convenience store, its clientele, and history. However, an overwhelming majority of convenience stores use CCTV and depend on its technology to keep their stores secure.

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