Question of the Month: Myths, misconception and truths: Does your affair with security go beyond the physical? - by Doug Haines

I hear this nonsense all the time. Well, I’ll get a camera system or guard, when I need it. You know, like after I get robbed or my house gets burglarized. The truth is the security system must be in place prior to the event. If it isn’t, you won’t prevent or catch anything. Chances are you won’t deter anything anyway – less than three to twenty percent of surveillance footage results in an apprehension. A recent study revealed that less than one-half of one percent of all data is ever used and analyzed. Most data is thrown away.

In order to effectively increase the benefit of surveillance you must do things that are not about surveillance. Let me explain. First, it’s about detection. The common misconception is your surveillance system will detect bad behavior. Simply, not true! The CCTV will detect all behavior. It’s up to someone else to determine if the behavior is good or bad. Now, that said, there are software programs out there that can assist whomever is monitoring the system to determine if the behavior is wanted or not.

But that really has to do with assessment. Assessment is having the ability to determine “good from bad.” Normally, when related to surveillance, it is done by someone monitoring a display panel. The fact of the matter is, that most of the time the display shows normal or wanted behavior. Very seldom, is “bad” behavior detected. The National Institute of Justice reports that a perpetrator spends less than seven minutes on site. That means that, for 23 hours and 53 minutes nothing happens. Consequently, guards become complacent and management gives them something else to do while “monitoring.” This in turn, leads to them not reacting in real time to a situation. Analytic video helps solve this issue. Parameters can be set in the field of vision and the camera alarms, thereby notifying the guard something is out of the ordinary. For example; people going from right to left, when the wanted behavior is people going from left to right.

In order for the guard to do the right thing, when unwanted behavior is discovered, procedures must be in place. Additionally, not all action related to security must be done by the security force. When properly set in policy and procedures, employee and key staff actions can augment the security forces. In fact, someone else intervening before an armed guard gets involved is exactly what you want. Uniformed guards by their very nature are intimidating and confrontational. So the goal is to set procedures that outline what behaviors are unwanted and who should intervene: For minor infraction-employees, incidents a little more serious, key staff; and ultimately the most serious, uniformed guards. There should be a continuum of intervention. Try to keep actions at the lowest level of confrontation possible. 

A word of caution, no one should intervene if it puts them in physical danger. Leave that up to the folks equipped and skilled to deal with violence. Another often overlooked element is training, drills and exercises. All personnel must be involved in periodic training. Consider “security awareness” as part of employee professional development. Schedule it and make it fun. The last thing folks want is a lecture on the “do’s and don’ts.” Interactive scenarios that integrate security concepts and all members of the community work best. 

And finally, whoever is chosen to respond and engage must have the equipment and tools to do so. De-escalating or non-aggressive confrontation tactics are a learned art. Therefore, decision makers must develop them within their organization.

By using the concepts outlined here you can make your affair with security more than being just physical. And the good news is – no one will get jealous.

My webinar, sponsored by the Security Industry Association, about physical security myths, misconception and truths can be found at https://www.securityindustry.org/webinar/five-pillars-physical-security-misconceptions-myths-truths/ 

Doug Haines, MPSE, is owner/CEO of Haines Security Solutions, Ventura, Calif.