Written by: Tom Stone
Within the last decade, crime prevention and law enforcement have become rapidly evolving fields with unique challenges. Unfortunately, criminals are getting smarter and harder to stop via traditional methodology, which is not the case with virtual guards. Thankfully, disruptive innovations in security surveillance systems are advancing the industry and simultaneously impacting law enforcement success in impressive ways. The advent of the Internet of Things (IoT) is making it possible to utilize the internet and revolutionize the way hundreds of industries have traditionally made progress in their fields, including security and law enforcement. In this article, we will explore one of IoT’s most promising innovations, Remote Guarding, and the incredible impact it is having on law enforcement.
What is Remote Guarding?
Remote Guarding represents IoT coming to the security industry. Thanks to this incredible technological revolution, smart security surveillance systems can be remotely managed by trained agents. These abilities have made Remote Guarding the most advanced security solution available today, proactively preventing crime and improving security at unprecedented levels. How does it work? Remote Guarding turns passive security surveillance systems into active and intelligent “Digital Guards” or “Virtual Guards”, capable of alerting security guards of any intruders or trespassers. With a “cut off the perimeter” concept-based system design, perpetrators are often engaged before they can commit the crime, thereby actually preventing crime and eliminating nuisance calls to police.
What Is a Digital Guard?
Remote Guarding companies, like Elite Interactive Solutions, take video cameras and turn them into “digital guards” by integrating them with military-grade artificial intelligence. Doing so enables these cameras to detect the presence of individuals or vehicles and report in real time to live remote security agents for assessment and engagement. These digital guards act as the first line of defense for Remote Guarding companies and work together to create a digital “geo-fence” that protects against perimeter intrusions. Detection zones can also be placed indoors to safeguard places like correctional facilities and beyond.
Once a “threat” is detected by a Virtual Guard, it sends an alert to a command center where security agents can investigate what the camera sees, all within seconds and in real time. From there a variety of responses are deployed, such as:
- Voice downs with adjacent P.A. systems: To engage intruders directly & and get them to leave
- Calling law enforcement and enhancing officer safety by guiding them through the event step by step
- Handling Nuisances so Law Enforcement Can Focus on Real Crime
Supporting Officer Safety & Building Bridges
The most powerful reason for Law Enforcement to embrace Remote Guarding is the dramatic improvement it brings in officer safety. Officers benefiting from agents guiding them through cameras and audio as they approach suspects, helping ensure that officers never walk into the unknown. Responding officers know a call will likely generate a safe arrest attempt. This improved efficiency helps enhance relationships with local law enforcement as officers’ time and efforts can be used wisely.
Doing the Heavy Lifting
One of the best things Remote Guarding brings to law enforcement is the ability to do the “heavy lifting” for incidents where a police officer is not required. In fact, most security issues handled by Remote Guarding providers are resolved without the need to involve local law enforcement agencies.
“Remote Guarding provides many benefits to help make law enforcement more effective while helping maximize and extend their limited resources”
Skateboarders, transients, graffiti, and illegal dumping are all examples of nuisance crimes that municipalities must spend their valuable resources responding to. Unfortunately, police response to minor crime has diminished in recent years due to limited resources and budgetary constraints. The more time police spend responding to nuisance and minor crime, the less time they have available for addressing criminal activity. By serving as a force multiplier to local law enforcement agencies, Remote Guarding creates a positive ripple effect on communities and greatly improves their quality of life.
Remote Guarding takes on these lower priority responsibilities for any facility at which it is deployed, whether by a private client, directly by law enforcement or other public safety impacting entities. By resolving minor security concerns independently and reducing nuisance calls to practically zero, Remote Guarding security systems allow law enforcement agencies to reallocate police officers to more demanding crimes. These activities significantly save time, money, and energy for law enforcement departments, so they can use their resources to address more serious issues.
Working with Law Enforcement to End Crime
In conclusion, Remote Guarding security solutions take ownership of many issues that currently require law enforcement involvement. Instead of just observing, reporting, and passing the problem to law enforcement, Remote Guarding security solutions take a proactive approach to prevent crime before it has the chance to happen.
Law enforcement agencies have much to gain by encouraging the integration of these security surveillance systems within their areas of service. Below are some ways in which Remote Guarding can improve police efforts in local communities:
- Significant reduction in false alarms
- Engaging nuisance activity through AV systems to get them to leave without police intervention
- Serving as trained live eye-witnesses to crimes in progress for police response when needed
- Enhancing officer safety by providing AV tactical support throughout an event
- Providing effective investigation and prosecution support for the resolution of crime by providing both audio and visual recordings of the event
Remote Guarding provides many benefits to help make law enforcement more effective while helping maximize and extend limited resources. Collaborations between the security industry and law enforcement are key to maximizing the impact Remote Guarding can make in our communities. One way to bridge these efforts is for law enforcement to recommend Remote Guarding as a solution to recurring community crime.
As innovations in security surveillance systems continue to advance, it is essential that we utilize them and partner with our law enforcement agencies. In doing so, we will be securing a better quality of life for our communities, while aiding the incredible police officers that serve and protect us every day.
About the Author
Tom Stone has more than four decades of law enforcement and public safety experience, including twenty-two years as Chief of Police/Public Safety Director. As past President and Executive Director Emeritus of FBI-LEEDA, Tom has championed education for law enforcement agencies, developed curriculum, and instructed law enforcement agencies nationwide in law enforcement leadership and management. Tom also serves as Board Chair for Elite’s Law Enforcement Advisory Board, where his insight and passion for Remote Guarding benefit both Elite’s clients and law enforcement partners.