Many business owners invest heavily in video coverage, but often end up only recording crimes against them and not apprehending the criminals or preventing the crimes from happening. While traditional video and audio recording systems can provide automotive dealerships with a host of valuable information (see “Video Surveillance – Beyond Security”) they do little to deter criminals from committing crimes. By itself, an auto dealership video surveillance system does nothing to protect a lot from attack, serving merely to document the incident and perhaps yield a few clues.

In a recent example, a Texas Chevrolet dealer endured an extensive heist that left 48 cars without wheels and tires, at a cost of approximately $250,000 in damages. The event was captured by the dealership’s extensive array of security cameras, however despite being on the property for approximately 4 hours the perpetrators went undetected during their caper. A small amount of valuable information was collected from the video of the incident but the crime wasn’t discovered until the next day. Having not captured anything uniquely identifiable the video evidence is useful only in establishing a timeline for the crime and provided very few additional clues.

Remote Guarding with Interactive Audio Challenge

With the advancement of a host of different technologies, remote guarding has become a viable solution for protecting car dealerships and other outdoor lots with vehicles or equipment under threat of burglary or vandalism.

Remote guarding leverages the power of high definition video, audio, advanced motion and perimeter breach detection systems with the internet and remote security agents to form a substantial level of protection for an outdoor space. Considering the ability to have 360 degree coverage all the time it can easily be argued to be more effective than a vehicle based roaming guard service.

Live audio interaction with the property changes the game against a criminal. Knowing they have been detected and that police are on the way will generally put an end to the crime. The shock value alone of a loud voice piercing the night while they are committing a burglary is incredible.

Properly designed systems can have a live agent challenging a suspect via loudspeaker in around 3 minutes of them breaching the perimeter. This is a powerful tool that works almost as soon as the threat is established, reducing and even eliminating damages or loss of property.

System Design and Installation

Effective protection of a car dealership or similar lot begins with understanding the unique vulnerabilities of the particular location. To properly recognize the threats a lot is subject to, a detailed forensic threat analysis is required. During this process our team would identify weaknesses in the physical perimeter, potential or active routes of attack, site lighting conditions and other environmental factors that impact security of the perimeter and pathways throughout the interior. We examine and inventory the current security infrastructure (if it exists) to determine which if any components can be incorporated as part of our design.

With the threats understood a formidable defense can be designed. Each system is engineered from a core base of components, but no two systems are exactly the same. A well designed system will have solid perimeter protection and good spot motion coverage throughout the interior of the lot. Generally the installation will require some coordination with the IT managers as secure connections to the internet will be required.

After the installation is complete the system is tuned to peak performance and minimal false levels. Delivery and cleaning personnel patterns and behaviors are learned and any effects of vegetation are dealt with by either trimming or sensor relocation.

Installed systems are reviewed by our team on a daily basis to establish any false alarm patterns that develop and to observe the general health of the system.

Digital Provisions has been installing video verified intrusion systems since 2011 and knows what it takes to get it done right. Contact us to find out how this proven new technology can protect your assets and your property.

Original article about the burglary incident at a Texas Chevy dealership can be found here:

http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/180-wheels-stolen-texas-chevy-dealership