Most everyone is familiar with uniformed security personnel in shopping malls, at entrances to commercial or industrial facilities, at concerts, and even in churches oftentimes. In some cases, these security officers may even be armed, such as those associated with the transporting of payroll deliveries or working in a bank.
Courtesy patrols might be described as “security-lite.”
While this is not an all-inclusive description nor even a technically accurate one, the truth is that many times a courtesy patrol, or courtesy officer, is simply a position that is a step or two below a trained and uniformed security officer.
However, not everyone agrees. According to one source,
A courtesy officer is a security professional who provides surveillance and basic protection to the residents and property of an apartment complex or similar housing location. Courtesy officers’ primary function is to keep everyone in the community safe.
Regardless of the preferred definition, most courtesy patrols or courtesy officers are not trained and simply provide a presence and a nominal service towards security.
The Disadvantages of Courtesy Patrols for Security Purposes
Additionally, the term “courtesy officer” has been commonly used as an apartment industry term that generally describes the title of a person that performs some visible protective service function on an apartment property after office hours.
Courtesy patrols are hampered by the same physical limitations that trained security officers face. The inability to be in more than one place at the same time (unlike video cameras), visual and auditory limitations, the susceptibility to harm or even injury, and the possibility of being outnumbered or outsized by perpetrators.
In addition, there are other disadvantages of courtesy officers according to one expert source,
- Courtesy patrols are often employees of the property management company and usually live on the premises.
- They may not be in a traditional uniform and may only wear a logo shirt.
- Courtesy officers are often civilians and lack professional security or police training.
- There are no licensing or training requirements for an apartment courtesy officer.
- No industry standards for background screening or certified training.
- No official oversight for use of force with batons, pepper spray, or handguns.
- Off-duty police officers working as courtesy patrols may be on-call and must leave the property unprotected.
The bottom line is that relying solely on a courtesy patrol to provide comprehensive, 24/7 live security monitoring is not practical, feasible, nor even possible.
Regardless of the training or certification that security officers may have, they cannot be everywhere at once, nor can they reliably engage or intervene in every security breach situation. In addition, they are limited by the need for sleep, for breaks, and for personal safety.
This is why many facilities will install and employ the use of a video security camera system.
Video Security Camera Systems: A Viable Security Alternative?
The reality is, however, that even video cameras have limitations when it comes to security.
If some type of security breach were to occur in your facilities, such as a break-in or car theft, you can review the security footage if you have video surveillance cameras installed. However, since the incident would have already taken place, all you can do now is watch the crime being committed.
In other words, even in cases of crimes such as theft or burglary, a video security camera can only provide you with footage that may have been recorded.
Yet there is nothing a camera system can do to actively prevent such acts.
That is because even the best video surveillance cameras are nothing more than passive equipment suitable for recording any events or criminal acts taking place. While the visible presence of security cameras can serve as a deterrent to some individuals, by themselves they are simply a passive deterrent.
And that may not be sufficient in every instance.
On the other hand, a security video camera system integrated with a live remote monitoring system will make it possible to engage and interact with suspect individuals.
A Reliable Live Remote Monitoring Security Solution Alternative
Making use of live remote monitoring is a smart, interactive security solution that means no longer relying solely on courtesy patrols and onsite security guards. And a “smart” solution means both a high-tech solution and an intelligent solution.
Live remote monitoring from Blue Eye can provide the deterrence and intervention to complement, or even replace, the use of courtesy patrols for an affordable price while providing comprehensive coverage with advanced video technology.
The deterrence and intervention capabilities include the ability to issue audio warnings, which can reduce the risk of false alarms. In addition, our proprietary AI technology reduces the time required for surveillance.
A live remote monitoring solution is a far superior solution compared to only having a courtesy patrol presence or even a traditional security video system. Because these “old school” video systems are simply passive recording devices, many facilities still rely on having onsite security personnel, as well.
However, an optimal solution is a security video system that gives you the best of both worlds without the disadvantages.
Blue Eye offers a video security solution that provides just that.
And we do so at a surprisingly affordable price. Our system uses an AI-empowered managed service platform that requires no up-front capital costs. And we use your own cameras so there are often no additional hardware costs required.
Give us a call at 855.258.3662 or email us at [email protected]. Let us design an effective solution for your business!