As crime continues to increase in many places, and as economic conditions continue to decimate local law enforcement staffing levels, more and more people are turning to lethal tools for the ability to participate in the defense of one's own home and family. From martial arts training, to pepper spray, to Tasers and guns, people are preparing like never before against the possibility of home invasion.
Recently, a friend of mine named Gary, took me through some of the training available through the NRA. It is the course that allows the successful trainee to apply to carry a gun. The decision to introduce a firearm into the home was not easy, nor was it made quickly. In fact, the training made it easier for my wife and I to make a more informed decision.
The primary goal of the training is to ensure that a gun owner will be responsible, and that any kind of potentially harmful or lethal solution is a very last resort. That being the case, and given my proclivity for the safety and security of homes and families, it wasn't long before Gary and I began discussing ways to safely and effectively add a weapon to the home security plan. Hopefully, this entry will give you some additional food for thought on the subject.
If a potentially lethal weapon is the last resort, make sure to take measures to keep a situation from coming to that. Security company signs should be the first line of defense. An outdoor lighting plan deters people who use the cover of darkness for concealment. Good locks and solid doors and windows, when well secured will make it difficult for someone to get in. Next, the alarm system might help to make the intruder's stay more brief. The sounder will also give you ample warning of the presence of the intruder, giving you time to react. Using a commanding voice to order the intruder out, immediately, can cause the perpetrator to doubt their ability to control the encounter.
Then as you introduce a gun into the scenario, recognize that it could be one of the first things an intruder might try to take. Training will help take care of some obvious precautions, so make sure to take ample training. Be sure to store it in a place that is easily accessible for you, but difficult for an intruder to find and steal.
The jury seems to be out on whether children should be aware of a gun in the house. I have chosen to educate them; enough that they will be neither curious nor fearful. Under predetermined conditions, everyone in the home has been appointed a specific place to take cover. There is also a phrase to indicate that the situation is under control. Not only does this keep them hidden from an intruder, but keeps them out of certain lanes of fire, should it come to that.
The legal ramifications should you need to use a gun are not easily stated and it is strongly recommended that you prepare to defend any action you may take should you have to go to court over it. You should also be prepared to manage potential, negative, emotional consequences of having used such force, for yourself and the family.
Monday, January 28, 2013
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Resolution: Not Just for New Year's Anymore
Alright, even the name of this post is a misnomer, as it has nothing whatever to do with your resolve or decision making. It's another discussion of the use and deployment of CCTV (Closed Circuit Video Surveillance) for additional peace of mind.
Recently, a client asked for an "above average" CCTV system; not just standard residential equipment. I love these challenges, so I researched a number of offerings from various manufacturers and finally settled on and sold this solution to my client. He was delighted by the installation, clarity of the video and outstanding remote viewing capability. So satisfied in fact that he asked for a similar treatment at a second residence. This time, however, he asked for even more "resolution."
Here is where we get into the meat of the discussion. In the age of "HDTV" and digital imagery, and since everybody has seen crime shows like "CSI" and "NCIS," reality has been blurred into obscurity. I guess the technology might exist that would allow the identification of a bug on a windshield based on footage from a traffic camera a hundred feet feet away in the dark on a vehicle moving 70Mph, with rain falling at two inches per hour...you get the idea, but it forces you to ask a couple of very obvious questions, the answers to which make it unlikely that this type of camera would be in very high demand. First, at a price point around $25k or more per camera, who could afford it? Second, how often will this kind of information really come in handy?
Here are some basics that should clarify (no pun intended) what is meant by the term "resolution" in reagard to video surveillance:
First, understand that cameras capture images in one of two ways; analog and digital. We won't go into digital much, as they are not as prevalent in the majority of residential and small business applpications. As for the more typical CCTV setups, there are basically two standards or formats by which analog "resolution" is figured; they are international standards. PAL and NTSC. In places like the United States and Canada, NTSC is the governning standard. In many other places around the world, PAL dictates how many lines of video appear on a monitoring device. The reason for this is so that a recorded picture (video) is more universally available to various viewing devices.
NTSC format means that a video is limited to a frame consisting of 720 pixels width and 575 pixels high. Technically, you will only see about 480 horizontal lines worth of information, and even this image is in reality two fields of interlaced video sent one after the other, very quickly (about 30 times each per second) so that your eye and your brain recognize one solid image. Let's do math so we have a frame of reference to digital imagery, for which most people have a better feel. Digital imagery is measured in "megapixels." For example, your phone may have a 1 or 5 megapixel camera. So how many Megapixels are in this analog image we are talking about? Here's the math part...
720 pixels multiplied by 575 pixels, or 720 x 575 = 414,000 pixels. Now recall that only half of these are really on the screen at one time. (Your brain is filling in the rest) So this is 207,000 pixels. So at any given instant the maximum number of pixels on display might be 0.2 megapixels. Now there are other factors that come into play that negatively affect this number as well, such as the speed of the transmission source, noise corruption of the signal as it passes through the wire to the monitor, etc...
You might say "but, the camera I bought says it captures 600TVL of resolution..." and I will tell you they are NOT lying! NTSC doesn't limit the number of lines of signal that can be gathered, only the number that can be translated correctly by a recording or viewing device. Capturing more TVL allows the camera to make up for some of the negative factors I mentioned in the last paragraph. It is an indicater that the manufacturer is concerned with quality, that they used a better sensor to collect the information.
Of course a happy medium might be to select a camera that has a zoom feature. It won't increase the number of TVL captured, but it can be more selective in regard to what those lines include.
Well, this is mind-numbing stuff, so we'll save the discussion of digital video for another time.
Recently, a client asked for an "above average" CCTV system; not just standard residential equipment. I love these challenges, so I researched a number of offerings from various manufacturers and finally settled on and sold this solution to my client. He was delighted by the installation, clarity of the video and outstanding remote viewing capability. So satisfied in fact that he asked for a similar treatment at a second residence. This time, however, he asked for even more "resolution."
Here is where we get into the meat of the discussion. In the age of "HDTV" and digital imagery, and since everybody has seen crime shows like "CSI" and "NCIS," reality has been blurred into obscurity. I guess the technology might exist that would allow the identification of a bug on a windshield based on footage from a traffic camera a hundred feet feet away in the dark on a vehicle moving 70Mph, with rain falling at two inches per hour...you get the idea, but it forces you to ask a couple of very obvious questions, the answers to which make it unlikely that this type of camera would be in very high demand. First, at a price point around $25k or more per camera, who could afford it? Second, how often will this kind of information really come in handy?
Here are some basics that should clarify (no pun intended) what is meant by the term "resolution" in reagard to video surveillance:
First, understand that cameras capture images in one of two ways; analog and digital. We won't go into digital much, as they are not as prevalent in the majority of residential and small business applpications. As for the more typical CCTV setups, there are basically two standards or formats by which analog "resolution" is figured; they are international standards. PAL and NTSC. In places like the United States and Canada, NTSC is the governning standard. In many other places around the world, PAL dictates how many lines of video appear on a monitoring device. The reason for this is so that a recorded picture (video) is more universally available to various viewing devices.
NTSC format means that a video is limited to a frame consisting of 720 pixels width and 575 pixels high. Technically, you will only see about 480 horizontal lines worth of information, and even this image is in reality two fields of interlaced video sent one after the other, very quickly (about 30 times each per second) so that your eye and your brain recognize one solid image. Let's do math so we have a frame of reference to digital imagery, for which most people have a better feel. Digital imagery is measured in "megapixels." For example, your phone may have a 1 or 5 megapixel camera. So how many Megapixels are in this analog image we are talking about? Here's the math part...
720 pixels multiplied by 575 pixels, or 720 x 575 = 414,000 pixels. Now recall that only half of these are really on the screen at one time. (Your brain is filling in the rest) So this is 207,000 pixels. So at any given instant the maximum number of pixels on display might be 0.2 megapixels. Now there are other factors that come into play that negatively affect this number as well, such as the speed of the transmission source, noise corruption of the signal as it passes through the wire to the monitor, etc...
You might say "but, the camera I bought says it captures 600TVL of resolution..." and I will tell you they are NOT lying! NTSC doesn't limit the number of lines of signal that can be gathered, only the number that can be translated correctly by a recording or viewing device. Capturing more TVL allows the camera to make up for some of the negative factors I mentioned in the last paragraph. It is an indicater that the manufacturer is concerned with quality, that they used a better sensor to collect the information.
Of course a happy medium might be to select a camera that has a zoom feature. It won't increase the number of TVL captured, but it can be more selective in regard to what those lines include.
Well, this is mind-numbing stuff, so we'll save the discussion of digital video for another time.
Thursday, May 31, 2012
Evaluating Value: A 2012 Safety Odyssey…
If you were planning to jump out of an airplane, would you
be shopping for the best price available?
Would you choose a well-known, reputable agency with years of experience
or a company just getting into the business?
Do you choose a company that owns its own equipment, employs its own
pilots and instructors? Do you take the
recommendation of other people who’ve used the company before and still appear
to be alive? Who would you trust for the experience of a lifetime, if it could be the last experience of a lifetime?
How many chances will you have to get it right the first
time? What are the consequences of
choosing poorly? Is home security worth getting right the first time? If you choose wisely, chances are good that you'll only have to make this investment once in each home you own.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Ever Misplace a Child?
My children are getting older; a supremely better option than the alternative, but they still require a significant amount of guidance and parental supervision. This is not supposed to be an exposition about modern parenting techniques. It would likely prove me to be old fashioned, as I believe parents should keep a rather tight reign on their children until they leave home to discover all of the many things for which they are still unprepared. As a result, I find myself on school sponsored field trips frequently.
Recently, at the Detroit Zoo, I was asked to chaperone my daughter and two of her school chums through the park. Each of them had chosen an animal to study and about which to write a report. These choices played a large role in setting our route. As we studied the map together, they also determined that we should see the lion and the polar bear exhibits. Along the way, we would need to stop and eat our lunch, and finally, on our walk back to the front gate, they all agreed that we should spend a few minutes on the playground.
Almost as soon as we completed our group agenda I began to dread the task of leadership set before me. Where would I find the energy required to organize and keep track of these independant little spitfires at my age? How would I be able to keep up at my age? What would I do if the group got separated? Then my safety-man mind kicked in and I came up with a simple, elegant contingency plan using the wisdom that comes from being a person of my age. It had to be simple so the children would remember and execute the plan properly.
I took a picture of them with my camera phone. Each of them was given a piece of paper with my name and cell phone number. They were given one simple instruction in the event they found themselves separated from me; Stay put! I promised I would come back for them by retracing my steps. I told them not to approach a stranger for help, but that if a stranger offered to help, they were to simply tell that person to call my phone number.
Maybe there are other solutions and precautions. The thrust of this article, though, is to ask the question "Does my child know what to do if they get lost or left behind?"
Of course all opinions and suggestions manumitted here are subject to your own better idea. I'm not proud.
Recently, at the Detroit Zoo, I was asked to chaperone my daughter and two of her school chums through the park. Each of them had chosen an animal to study and about which to write a report. These choices played a large role in setting our route. As we studied the map together, they also determined that we should see the lion and the polar bear exhibits. Along the way, we would need to stop and eat our lunch, and finally, on our walk back to the front gate, they all agreed that we should spend a few minutes on the playground.
Almost as soon as we completed our group agenda I began to dread the task of leadership set before me. Where would I find the energy required to organize and keep track of these independant little spitfires at my age? How would I be able to keep up at my age? What would I do if the group got separated? Then my safety-man mind kicked in and I came up with a simple, elegant contingency plan using the wisdom that comes from being a person of my age. It had to be simple so the children would remember and execute the plan properly.
I took a picture of them with my camera phone. Each of them was given a piece of paper with my name and cell phone number. They were given one simple instruction in the event they found themselves separated from me; Stay put! I promised I would come back for them by retracing my steps. I told them not to approach a stranger for help, but that if a stranger offered to help, they were to simply tell that person to call my phone number.
Maybe there are other solutions and precautions. The thrust of this article, though, is to ask the question "Does my child know what to do if they get lost or left behind?"
Of course all opinions and suggestions manumitted here are subject to your own better idea. I'm not proud.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Security Partner or Salesman
This entry begins like a bad joke and the punch line isn’t very funny, either. A woman whose home had alarm sensors at every opening called a reputable construction company to inquire about upgrading the windows in the home. She chose high quality materials. She discussed the alarm system with the project manager and together they determined that the alarm sensor wires should be left exposed for reconnection after the windows were installed. It was a great idea, but in the end, the style of window that was installed, and the way the screens fit in the opening precluded the installation of any standard type of hard-wired window sensor.
I am only drawing attention to the fact that if her alarm company had been involved from the beginning she may have saved a substantial amount of money by not having to upgrade her alarm system. Of course a solution still exists, but it is expensive.
By comparison, a client of mine called with a similar inquiry, involving the replacement of her exterior doors. I met with the contractor and the homeowner to plan to accommodate the alarm sensors. Then I went back out on the day the doors were installed to ensure the alarm system wasn’t compromised. Having the contractor drill the necessary holes also meant that the warranty on the door system stayed in force.
The lessons to be learned here are threefold. First, make sure you deal with a reputable security company. Second, stay in touch with your security company representative. Finally, any time you make renovations to your home, or when your home situation changes significantly, get in touch with your security provider to make small adjustments to the security system that better suit the new situation.
Some situations that might cause your security needs to change are:
· Retirement or change in occupation
· Middle school children who come home to an empty house for an hour or two each day
· More extensive travel for work or vacation
· Hiring or changing household staff, such as a nanny or house keeper
· Acquiring a new pet
· Finding yourself with an “empty nest”
· Changing insurance companies
· Increased criminal activity in the area
· Changing phone companies or services
· Home improvement or renovation
· Caring for an aging or disabled family member
The security of your home and family should feel like a partnership between you and your security professional. This is the difference between a security professional and a run-of-the-mill alarm salesman. Stay tuned to this channel for some tips on choosing your security partner.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Summertime Security
Here's an oldie, but a goodie... It's been a long time since a client faced the dilemma of securing a window that is regularly left open for fresh air circulation. It's a ground floor, crank out window which when closed is relatively secure, unless broken. This is monitored by breakage detection. But if left open intentionally...well then you have to be creative. Security screens. A security wire is interwoven in the mesh of the screen to keep it from being cut and sound the alarm if it is damaged, and a simple, normally closed, button style contact sensor ensures that the alarm sounds if the screen is removed. An elegant solution, and if cost is a factor, perhaps not all of the windows have to be left open for adequate ventilation, eh?
Even though every security solution should be customized for each family's situation, sometimes design aspects of the system can become predictable and formulaic. It is good to be reminded that every situation warrants exceptional investigative technique to help ensure that the alarm system works within the framework of normal household operation. The normal function of a family should be considered when designing an alarm system.
Granted, sometimes being safe is a pain and presents obstacles. Somewhere, even on some ethereal level, there could exist a list of which estates are most desireable as a target for intrusion or robery. Another list might prioritize kidnapping targets. In extreme cases, security might become, necessarily, intrusive. Think of a presidential daughter, upon her arrival at an otherwise ordinary school dance, being escorted from the limo by a handsome fellow and five or six armed Secret Service people. In some cases, then, security may be inconvenient, however warranted.
Here's the thing, most of us don't need that level of protection. Every week I meet people who are moving into homes that have existing alarm systems. If every family worked the same, perhaps taking over an existing alarm system, as currently installed, would be sufficient. Another such scenario is when a builder or architect or general contractor includes a standard, pre-wired security system. Of course they are qualified to run wire to doors and maybe a keypad or two, but design requires the input of the occupant of the home and a professional who knows the latest security equipment available and how to employ it for the comfort and convenience of the end user.
Participate with an alarm professional.
Of course all opinions and suggestions manumitted here are subject to your own better idea. I'm not proud.
Even though every security solution should be customized for each family's situation, sometimes design aspects of the system can become predictable and formulaic. It is good to be reminded that every situation warrants exceptional investigative technique to help ensure that the alarm system works within the framework of normal household operation. The normal function of a family should be considered when designing an alarm system.
Granted, sometimes being safe is a pain and presents obstacles. Somewhere, even on some ethereal level, there could exist a list of which estates are most desireable as a target for intrusion or robery. Another list might prioritize kidnapping targets. In extreme cases, security might become, necessarily, intrusive. Think of a presidential daughter, upon her arrival at an otherwise ordinary school dance, being escorted from the limo by a handsome fellow and five or six armed Secret Service people. In some cases, then, security may be inconvenient, however warranted.
Here's the thing, most of us don't need that level of protection. Every week I meet people who are moving into homes that have existing alarm systems. If every family worked the same, perhaps taking over an existing alarm system, as currently installed, would be sufficient. Another such scenario is when a builder or architect or general contractor includes a standard, pre-wired security system. Of course they are qualified to run wire to doors and maybe a keypad or two, but design requires the input of the occupant of the home and a professional who knows the latest security equipment available and how to employ it for the comfort and convenience of the end user.
Participate with an alarm professional.
Of course all opinions and suggestions manumitted here are subject to your own better idea. I'm not proud.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
How Can Cameras Enhance Your Security at Home?
I read part of a discussion about how some companies are using free cameras as a loss leader product to open doors for residential alarm system installations. Not a bad ploy from a business perspective, but for a while I had trouble accepting that this really bolstered the security of the home. But, I strive for honesty, and many times, when I confer with potential clients, I admit that the deterrent value of a security sign in the front yard is a substantial part of the overall system. Most burglars will say that they avoided homes with alarm systems.
I was reminded of something I heard when I worked in the commercial and retail side of the security house..."cameras keep honest people honest." The trouble is that companies that use cameras as a foot-in-the-door fail in many cases to maximize the effectiveness of surveillance equipment. It is a novelty; a toy to impress the neighbors and a testimonial to the level of concern that particular company has toward security. (I despise a "hit and run" alarm salesman.) However, cameras can enhance home security when properly deployed. Here are some tips if you want to consider CCTV...
The first trick is that they should be conspicuous. This will take full advantage of the deterrent factor. Of course this works best on a person who is normally well behaved, but who might be tempted to mischief if a tantalizing opportunity presented itself and the risk of being caught was low. A determined thief might risk it anyway, which leads to The next tip.
Cameras are relatively cheap, especially when it is only connected to a viewing device. A burglar might gamble on there being no video recording machine because he knows the recorder is the single most expensive component in a CCTV system...they don't give those away with an alarm system. They also might gamble that they will be able to make off with the recording unit, thereby taking the evidence with him. The suggestion is that the video recorder be well secured and out of plain sight.
When putting the record in a safe location, remember that from time to time, you will want to review recorded footage. To make this simpler, it is convenient to have a viewing monitor close to the recorder. Some recorders come with remotes that can also solve this issue.
You should note that any VCR or Digital Video Recorder can record your camera footage. Pictures of intruders can assist the authorities in identifying a culprit, but not all video is valuable for prosecutorial purposes as evidence. Criteria for evidentiary video include, but may not be limited to time and date stamps embedded in the video. Security DVRs can be costly depending on hard drive space, available channels for camera connections, search and review software. My suggestion is to purchase a substantial unit even though it may cost more. You'll want to avoid having to make that significant investment twice.
As for cameras, pay attention to variables such as operating temperature, iris ratings which determine how much dynamic range (how much light is required for a quality picture), and understand the field of view required. Take some measurements of the areas you want to survey and your camera salesperson can identify a good lens for your application. Unless you have plenty of money to invest, you'll be looking at fixed lens cameras. Pan, tilt and zoom cameras are ultra-cool and have some appropriate applications, but they are expensive.
If you have the chance, you are better off having a professional security person, preferably someone with experience in a residential setting, design the layout and equipment with you.
I invite you to send me questions directly if you'd like more detailed information.
I was reminded of something I heard when I worked in the commercial and retail side of the security house..."cameras keep honest people honest." The trouble is that companies that use cameras as a foot-in-the-door fail in many cases to maximize the effectiveness of surveillance equipment. It is a novelty; a toy to impress the neighbors and a testimonial to the level of concern that particular company has toward security. (I despise a "hit and run" alarm salesman.) However, cameras can enhance home security when properly deployed. Here are some tips if you want to consider CCTV...
The first trick is that they should be conspicuous. This will take full advantage of the deterrent factor. Of course this works best on a person who is normally well behaved, but who might be tempted to mischief if a tantalizing opportunity presented itself and the risk of being caught was low. A determined thief might risk it anyway, which leads to The next tip.
Cameras are relatively cheap, especially when it is only connected to a viewing device. A burglar might gamble on there being no video recording machine because he knows the recorder is the single most expensive component in a CCTV system...they don't give those away with an alarm system. They also might gamble that they will be able to make off with the recording unit, thereby taking the evidence with him. The suggestion is that the video recorder be well secured and out of plain sight.
When putting the record in a safe location, remember that from time to time, you will want to review recorded footage. To make this simpler, it is convenient to have a viewing monitor close to the recorder. Some recorders come with remotes that can also solve this issue.
You should note that any VCR or Digital Video Recorder can record your camera footage. Pictures of intruders can assist the authorities in identifying a culprit, but not all video is valuable for prosecutorial purposes as evidence. Criteria for evidentiary video include, but may not be limited to time and date stamps embedded in the video. Security DVRs can be costly depending on hard drive space, available channels for camera connections, search and review software. My suggestion is to purchase a substantial unit even though it may cost more. You'll want to avoid having to make that significant investment twice.
As for cameras, pay attention to variables such as operating temperature, iris ratings which determine how much dynamic range (how much light is required for a quality picture), and understand the field of view required. Take some measurements of the areas you want to survey and your camera salesperson can identify a good lens for your application. Unless you have plenty of money to invest, you'll be looking at fixed lens cameras. Pan, tilt and zoom cameras are ultra-cool and have some appropriate applications, but they are expensive.
If you have the chance, you are better off having a professional security person, preferably someone with experience in a residential setting, design the layout and equipment with you.
I invite you to send me questions directly if you'd like more detailed information.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)