Watch as a slumbering loiterer gets a rude awakening.
At approximately 1:30 a.m., a ECAM security operator observed suspicious activity at an Oakland, California apartment building. An individual approached the outside of the building. He curled up on the sidewalk against the door and went to sleep. Still watching the activity, our operator activated the on-site speaker warning which roused the sleeping loiterer. He quickly got up, gathered his belongings, and walked away.
The Homeless Crisis
The homeless crisis is a growing concern across the United States. It’s not surprising that California has the largest population of transient and homeless people. After all, it is the country’s largest state.
According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, there are over 151,000 homeless people in California at last count.
Property owners face numerous issues in dealing with transients and the homeless. Among them are:
- Camping and loitering
- Trash
- Vandalism
- Theft
- Unauthorized use of property amenities and facilities
To help combat the problem, California cities have enacted hundreds of ordinances. The “sit-lie” law is just one of them. This measure makes it a crime to sit, lie or sleep on a public sidewalk anywhere in a city.
Live Video Monitoring Can Help Safely Remove Loiterers
What can you do if transients are plaguing your community? A proactive security solution can help keep unwanted activity away. Live video monitoring combines advanced video analytics with human intelligence to deter incidents such as loitering.
As you saw in the video, a trained security operator watching live surveillance cameras can see suspicious activity and immediately respond. In this case, the operator activated an on-site speaker warning which let the suspect know he was being watched and to leave the property. If the situation had warranted, our operator would have also contacted local authorities.
Because live video monitoring provides more coverage with fewer risks and is less expense than an on-site guard, many communities are choosing to augment or replace their current security solution.
Although there is no easy answer to homeless and transient trespasser issues, with all the technological advancements in the security industry, live video monitoring can be a cost-effective solution.
If you want more information about how we can help increase the safety and marketability of your community while saving up to 60% on your security spend, contact us.
