Security Camera Installation at Marbarisa Apartments - Essay Example

1 1 ABSTRACT A basic step to give Marbarisa Apartments a safe and secure environment and to maintain its prestigious status a proposal for security camera installation is being set forth. ABSTRACT A basic step to give Marbarisa Apartments a safe and secure environment and to maintain its prestigious status proposal for security camera installation is being set forth. Criminals attack unexpectedly and our police department should have proper equipments to help reduce these incidences. Camera surveillance will make the residents and the police more confident about the security situation of the apartment. The statistics of the past few years show dramatic increase in crime rate in the surroundings’ of the apartments and statistics after the installation of camera present substantial decrease in crime rate. These cameras can be used in two ways for complete 24hrs surveillance or they can be used as a symbol to deter crimes. But the privacy of the tenants should in no way be harmed by these cameras. Please look over this proposal, if you have any question you can contact me or the Marbarisa Apartments Joint Committee. Sincerely, Name of the student: PROPOSAL FOR SECURITY CAMERA INSTALLATION AT MARBARISA APARTMENT Dear Marbarisa Apartment Proprietor I ask you to regard the included proposal and give it a serious consideration as it is a basic step to give Marbarisa Apartments a safe and secure environment and it is necessary to maintain its prestigious status and collectively build the apartment and its surrounding area’s reputation. Marbarisa Apartments provides a unique neighborhood and district as well as comfortable dwelling homes. On-site management staff tries to provide the comfort and security that was assured when the tenants rented the apartment. However, Burglaries, robberies, vandalism and outdoor damages are gravely prevailing in the apartment and its surroundings’ what is more confusing is, these increases are not observed in the nearby areas or other apartments. Criminals attack unexpectedly and our police department should have proper equipments to help reduce these incidences. Thus, the residents of the Marbarisa Apartment are proposing to install closed circuit television or surveillance cameras for security reasons. These cameras should be strategically placed specially in the areas affected by higher crime rates. There are numerous benefits of the camera surveillance. This will make the residents and the police more confident about the security situation of the apartment, Apartments which have adopted this particular measure, present substantial decrease in crime rate. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE APARTMENT SAFETY It is important the cameras are installed because they provide 24 hour surveillance and contribute a lot in security measures of the apartment. It is imperative for the management of the apartment to provide the safety and security that is assured while renting the apartments as it is continuously damaging the reputation. The whole area covered by the building is very large and there are numerous advantages for the criminals and vandals to break in any time of the day. No matter how many security measures taken by the local police of the area such as emergency text messages, call box, safety awareness and safety precautions guide, the crime rate is still prevailing compare to negligible amount in the nearby areas. This alarming statistics is of major concern for the residents as most of the residents work the whole day and are not able to guard their apartments and belongings themselves as well as they don’t feel safety in their own homes now. Moreover, security cameras are considered essential for the human safety all over Europe and America, a result during a research conducted in 2004. As the time is passing, people feel insecure even in their own homes and want police or other law enforcing agencies to help them with their distress, which is however, not manageable and also costly. Cameras are used for numerous factors other than just the criminal monitoring. For example incidences like fire, road accidents. Suspicious behaviors of the residents can also be checked by monitoring them through video surveillance. According to the survey in 2002 in Europe, 86% users of the surveillance camera cite theft as the primary reason for using security camera. While 39% cite deterrence of violence. Over the past few years, the statistics show dramatic increase in crime rate in the surroundings’ of the apartments. Figure 1 illustrates robbery incidents in past few years and Figure 2 illustrates the burglary incidents. Perhaps when the tenants are out on their jobs etc, burglars or thieves feel free to enter their sanctuary. However the television, news and print media is continuously reporting new stories of decrease in crime rate due to the use of security cameras. For completely understanding the magnitude of the problem one must look at the connected apartments and areas for understanding the real problem behind this grave situation. Increase in Rate of Crime during the past few years in Marbarisa Apartments Figure 1 Figure 2 In addition to increased burglaries, robberies also depict a type of crime prevalent on apartment grounds. Figure 3, however, demonstrates the decrease in crime rate after the use of surveillance cameras in Long Beach. The reason is mainly the decrease in appropriate opportunities of breaking in and escaping after a successful criminal activity. Decrease in Rate of Crime in Past Few Years in Long Beach after the Installation of Security Cameras Figure 3 REDUCTION IN SALES OF HOMES IN LONG BEACH, CA Figure 4 The only measure that can be taken for the full coverage of the area and complete protection is the installation of the security camera. This will reduce total number of criminal acts. These cameras can be used in two ways for complete 24hrs surveillance or they can be used as a symbol to deter crimes. The reduction in sales of homes in Long Beach is due to decrease security measures and increase of the cost of apartments. There are a number of ways the security cameras deter the crimes. Criminals with suspicious behavior are caught immediately and are deterred from further criminal acts. The presence of security camera will cause an increase in demand of this residential area and automatically increase the police monitoring in the area and also scare the potential criminals and they will avoid this area as a target in future. Moreover, this encourages other people to take safeguards against criminal activities. In addition, by observing the criminal activity police can better predict the conditions under which the criminal act is developing. A camera mounted at the entrance can prevent the intruders from slipping in behind the tenants at locked entrances and can discourage crimes and violence to take place on the premises. Theft and vandalism is automatically reduced by increased security. Moreover Digital security cameras provide high quality footage of the activity going around the premises. This footage can be viewed any time and from anywhere and of any of the complexes. Dangers of Flat Security Cameras Since these crimes are bound to happen the only way of reducing them is to record the crime on film. According to Police department of the area they have excellent results in reducing the crime rate after the installation of these cameras. Since the type and size of the apartments are different so they require different types of security for best protection. However there are few points which are to be considered before the installation of the camera and the most important is tenant’s privacy. These security cameras are to be installed in entrances, parking lots, laundry rooms for the protection of privacy. Even tenants apartment doors should be out of the camera’s view. Vandalism is possible if the vandals enter the building undetected and damage the camera security system, so proper measure of protecting the system and 24hr guard should be present for surveillance. Power outages, disruptions and surges can cause damage to the security system although these happen occasionally but proper maintenance measures will also be required. COVERING THE COST OF THE SYSTEM It is crucial for the management and the proprietor of the estate to have more security at the premises. Consequently there is a good chance that this system could be partially paid for by the rents that are already being paid and are very high. An alternative is to use the amount of rents that is increased every year for this particular purpose. Manager of the building can propose that the tenant pay additional $10 for the installation and maintenance of the security cameras. Once this is presented this can be turn over to resident’s joint committee where they can allow or decline the proposal but the residents will be willing to pay additionally for the safety rather then cosmetic reconstruction. However if this does not cover the charges then funds can be collected voluntarily for the installation. This process will help the tenants and management to realize that immediate changes are required in order to reduce our frightening crime statistics. As the administration is working really hard for the increase in number of inhabitants by attracting them with various other packages, it will also be great if we consider the financial perspective. Final Comments . The tremendous benefits enjoyed by the tenants after the installation of camera would be dominant over the cost of the security measures. There should be 16 cameras in total, to be installed. Mainly in the areas like parking lot, laundry, main entrance etc. They should be strategically placed, in order to fulfill their purpose. The qualitative and quantitative aspects of benefits of security cameras over other security measures are significant and aid in lowering the rate of crimes more efficiently then the other means. Other aspects of security means additional car patrols, call boxes, additional security guards on duty, increased lightning. Although these are the basic measures of security and these still be needed after the installation of the cameras but they are still failing to protect the apartment in question. Patrols are not possible all the time as well as crimes are happening in the areas where patrol is not possible as well as call boxes bring assistances but don’t help in avoidance of the crime. Moreover, these measures don’t have any importance in providing the post crime evidences. Please look over this proposal, if you have any question you can contact me or the Marbarisa Apartments Joint Committee. We will be happy to answer your question. Sincerely, Read More