How to Choose the Best Apartment Video Surveillance
Here’s your guide on how to choose the best video surveillance systems that are tailored to your apartment complex’s specific needs. Property managers can boost safety for tenants and staff by installing security cameras — but first, you need to know what qualities to look for in your surveillance tech. We’ll cover key considerations like coverage area, resolution, and night vision capabilities.
When setting up an apartment complex security plan, don’t underestimate the importance of effective video surveillance solutions. Using the latest video surveillance technology at your apartment complex, you get the protection of dozens of live guards—at a fraction of the price.
To understand how video surveillance can be so financially efficient as well as effective, let’s take a step back and consider an important question.
Why should property managers invest in their apartment complex security?
It’s simple: People like to live and work where they feel safe.
If your complex experiences break-ins, vandalism, and other common multifamily property crimes, you may struggle to attract and retain tenants. As a result, you may need to reduce your rent or provide other perks, which can really affect your revenue potential.
Thanks to crime data apps, it’s easier than ever for people to figure out whether your complex is a safe place to live. Plus, research shows that 54% of tenants are willing to pay higher rent for better security.
Plus, regular security issues can increase your insurance costs and lead to ongoing repair bills. In 2019, the FBI reported that property crimes lead to $15.8 billion in losses, showing just how costly it can be when security systems aren’t up to snuff.
Not to mention: property managers and owners can be held legally responsible for damages resulting from crimes committed on the premises. In other words, you have a legal obligation to provide a safe environment for tenants.
Here are some must-have apartment complex security measures to prevent crime.
First, there are a few safety basics that all apartments should have. For instance, all unit locks should meet the ANSI grade of 1 or 2, along with secondary grade 1 deadbolt-style locks. You’ll also want to install adequate lighting in all common areas, including walkways, parking areas, and storage areas.
Other key apartment complex security measures include:
- Heavy-duty, reinforced doors and windows
- Updating keys from one tenant to the next
- Limiting the number of master keys
- Background screening for tenants and employees
In addition, video camera surveillance is a must. According to the Office of Justice Programs, video monitoring lowers crime by 14% and property offenses by 16%.
RELATED POST: 10 Tenant Safety Measures for Property Managers
How does apartment complex video surveillance work?
Video surveillance systems in apartment complexes usually include cameras set up in key spots to keep an eye on entrances, exits, parking lots, and common areas. By installing security cameras, property managers get access to real-time footage that can be sent to a central monitoring station or saved for later use.
Modern camera systems often feature high-definition video, enabling clear image capture, even in low-light conditions. Some systems come with advanced functionalities such as motion detection (or, in some cases, person detection), which triggers recording only when movement is detected, and remote access, allowing property managers to view live or recorded footage from anywhere via secure internet connections.
In addition to spotting and deterring crime, video surveillance can keep you informed about all activities in your apartment complex. That includes:
- Outsiders taking advantage of your amenities
- Tenants breaking community rules
- Staff using amenities improperly
Keep in mind that your tenants have a legal right to privacy within their units. Be sure to review all local laws to ensure that your video surveillance measures stay compliant.
How to choose a video surveillance solution for your apartment complex
Not all surveillance systems are equally effective. Plus, every apartment complex will have its own unique security needs. So you have some critical decisions to make when choosing apartment complex security cameras.
Decision #1: Passive vs. active monitoring
“Passive monitoring” is what old-school security alarm companies tend to offer. Rather than keeping a constant watch over your property, these companies only take action after an alarm goes off.
But this approach is not fool-proof; once they know how they work, it’s pretty easy for bad actors to avoid alarm sensors.
On top of that, passive systems often lack video cameras. That means the service can’t always check to see what set off the alarm. The result: repeated false alarms that result in annoyed police officers, scared tenants, and possibly even hefty fines.
Active monitoring, on the other hand, means someone (or something in the case of AI) is always watching your video feeds in real time. This massively speeds up response time. With active camera monitoring services, police are often called within seconds. It also eliminates false alarms and unneeded law enforcement calls.
Decision #2: Humans vs. AI (or both)
Some video systems require live human guards to monitor them at all times, regardless of whether anything is happening on camera. Not only is this expensive, but it’s also not as effective as newer technology that uses pattern recognition software to evaluate the footage.
Modern AI-powered surveillance systems like Deep Sentinel use artificial intelligence to constantly scan video footage for abnormalities. AI can identify potential red flags much more quickly and effectively than any human guard, round the clock. That’s 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
But artificial intelligence alone isn’t enough — to effectively stop crimes in progress, human guards need to be involved.
That’s why Deep Sentinel pairs AI-powered video surveillance with live human guards. Once the Deep Sentinel AI picks up on a problem, it automatically alerts a live human guard to check the feed and take action within seconds.
AI-augmented technology is less expensive and more effective than an onsite security guard. To hire onsite security guards for your multifamily property, you’ll have to pay about $6,000 to $8,000 a month. A hybrid system utilizing both AI and human guards will cost a fraction of this total. You can get the best of both worlds: cost savings and robust protection.
Decision #3: Low definition vs. high definition video
Older video surveillance systems capture grainy images that make it difficult for someone to see and truly understand what’s happening.
Newer cameras, on the other hand, offer higher resolutions and provide a wide field of view with sharp color image, including color night vision.
Higher res video makes it much easier to tell the difference between day-to-day normalcy and potential crime (for instance, is it a tenant locked out of their apartment or someone trying to break in?)
Security camera resolution is calculated in megapixels (MP). You’ll see modern cameras ranging from 2MP (also called 2K or high definition) to 8MP (also called 8K or ultra-high definition).
Higher resolutions may cost more, but the extra image clarity is a worthwhile investment. Choose the best you can afford, but definitely aim for 2MP or higher.
Decision #4: Standard cameras vs. night vision cameras
Typical video cameras can only capture a clear picture in optimal lighting. That means that after dark, these cameras may become much less effective, leaving your property vulnerable.
If you’re placing cameras outdoors, you’ll need cameras capable of filming clear footage in low-light situations. Look for one (or both) of the following:
- Night vision: These cameras capture crisp, clear footage in low-light situations. Leading night-vision cameras contain specialized filters that allow them to capture clear footage at any time of day.
- Floodlights: Motion-activated floodlights built into the camera’s housing can illuminate the camera’s view.
Even if you use cameras with night vision (or don’t use outdoor cameras at all), security floodlights are still a good idea. They minimize shadowy hiding spots and help everyone avoid safety risks like tripping hazards.
Deep Sentinel: The clear apartment complex security solution
Deep Sentinel provides the latest and greatest multi-family residential security solutions—featuring AI-powered video surveillance. The proprietary AI software picks out perpetrators instantaneously and alerts highly skilled Deep Sentinel security guards for intervention.
Our guards are industry experts with extensive experience in physical security, law enforcement, military, customer service, and more. All guards undergo specialized training in areas like de-escalation techniques and dispatch communication. Then they receive ongoing training and evaluation, so the entire team stays well-versed in current best practices.
No one will protect your apartment complex more effectively than Deep Sentinel. Call 833.475.1662 to learn more.
Need a Solution that Prevents Crime? Deep Sentinel is the only security technology that delivers the experience of a personal guard on every customer’s home and business. Visit deepsentinel.com/business or call 833-983-6006