Just this past Sunday night through Monday morning, a series of eight armed robberies and carjackings occurred in the South Loop and Northwest Side of Chicago. In each case, the victims were ambushed by two to four people and in some cases beaten and robbed.

This increase in serial incidents have prompted police to ask the public for help.

What can Residents do to Improve their Safety?

Download and Use the Chicago OEMC App

The official safety app of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) became available back in February.

It provides residents with preparedness tips, safety information, alerts, and the CHI Safe Walk. The CHI Walk feature shares your location with a friend or family member when walking or traveling alone. Additionally, it has the option to call the police by pressing only one button.

Download the app here

Collaborate with OEMC by linking Privately-owned Public Cameras.

Chicago property and business owners have the option to link their public cameras to the OEMC network. The main goal for residents to work with OEMC is to accelerate the process of solving crimes. When participating in the program, police are granted access to private public cameras. This minimizes valuable time that is spent calling, downloading, and sending footage from one individual to another.

One example of how communication can be delayed during an emergency is when an association or business has a new employee that doesn’t know the password or how to operate the system.

When something like this happens, we first contact the main account holder to approve the request. Once they approve it, we assist the new employee or walk them through the process of downloading the footage. And lastly, we save and send the footage to the police. This simple process can typically take a few days to complete and delay cases that are time sensitive.

Is Genetec Stratocast Video the Right Option for You?

If you are considering connecting your cameras to OEMC but still feel unsure about how this can help your organization, the experience of these two customers might help.

This is how these clients are using Genetec Stratocast cloud video surveillance to collaborate with Chicago police and manage their systems:

Client #1 – Parking Corporation

Our long time client, a parking corporation, wanted to connect their camera system to the Chicago’s office of Emergency Management & Communication (OEMC). With OEMC connection, police can access camera feed from outdoor cameras during emergencies and after appropriate notification has been given.

We recommended Genetec Stratocast video service as all cameras can be accessed and managed in the cloud.

We upgraded their 1080P HD camera to a 4K camera. The new system was not only compatible with OEMC but provided up to four times higher resolution than the standard 1080 resolution.

Client #2 – Apartment Complex

Another long-time client, an apartment complex, contacted us to replace their old camera system. They wanted the new system to be easier to manage and to have more coverage.

We replaced the old cameras with 4-lens cameras to provide 180 degree coverage.

They also opted to connect their cameras to OEMC. They report that the service makes it easier to manage the system from one central station and has improved communication with police during incidents.

Will Police Have Access to All My Cameras?

It’s important to clarify that police will only have access to cameras that are recording in public areas and will still communicate with the camera owner before accessing footage. This is also an agreement that could be revoked if the owner no longer wants to share access.

What do Property and Business Owners Need to do to Connect their Public Cameras to OEMC?

The most practical solution is Genetec Stratocast Video Surveillance. This is a well-established and reliable cloud solution that many associations, properties, and businesses are already using. Some of these include: The Back of the Yards Neighborhood Council, The Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field ballpark, and SSA districts.

Want to implement the use of this technology to help reduce crime in Chicago? Contact us to discuss the process or to get a quote by calling 773-388-1208.

The post Can Public Cameras Connected to OEMC Reduce Crime? appeared first on VinTech Systems.

But what about small business and residential homes that have strong ties to the Chicagoland and don’t want or can’t afford to leave?

Feeling secure is not a commodity but a necessity for Chicago residents.

A VinTech employee who lives in Bowmanville, a family-friendly neighborhood in Chicago, says she had always felt safe living there. Then last week, a string of robberies close to her home  started to make her feel uneasy.

That Monday morning, she heard helicopters in the area for several hours.

The suspects were later arrested in Lincoln Square but not before 2 people were assaulted and the car that was used for the crimes crashed against a city truck.

Then a few days later, she opened her Nextdoor App to write this post:

“This morning, Wednesday Dec 21st, at around 3:05 a.m. I woke up to three gunshots that were at very close proximity. This occurred near Farragut and Hoyne in the Bowmanville neighborhood. Can anyone tell me if they heard them too? I’m shook because they sounded so close.”

Dozens of neighbors commented with support and what they were already doing as a response to the incident. Unfortunately, many agree that even when the act of violence is not directed at you, it can disturb your peace and routine.

How do outdoor security cameras improve safety?

Security cameras are not new to the City of Chicago who has a network of more than 50,000. In addition, last year’s Home and Business Protection Program provided a rebate for residents to install new outdoor security cameras.

In order to improve safety, one of the program’s requirements was to connect these public cameras to The City of Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications.

The OEMC is a “state-of-the-art unified video surveillance network” that officials and Homeland Security directors access “during emergency situations and after appropriate notification has been given.”

As part of the process, our technicians connected new camera systems to this network and trained clients to manage their new system. Additionally, our office staff provided guidance and the documentation needed to apply for the rebate.

Why are more Chicago residents and business owners installing outdoor cameras?

Deter criminals.
Most criminals want to commit a crime and move on to the next “best thing”.

Outdoor security cameras are different from other security systems because they are visible BEFORE the crime is committed. In conjunction with warning signs, they work to increase the perception that would-be criminals could be caught and punished.

Provide evidence. 
One thing that most Chicago residents will agree is that they don’t want offenders getting away with crimes.

Security cameras can capture criminals in the act but most importantly, they capture details. High definition security cameras can give significant clues like face features, tattoos, and vehicle license plates. When an incident occurs in front of your business or residence, you’ll be glad to have footage to provide as evidence to the police.  And with the video surveillance network, they will access the footage almost right away.

Why is a burglar alarm a necessity?

A recent FBI report, found that 1 in 3 homes without a security system will fall victim to a burglary as compared to 1 in 250 homes that do have a security system.

A burglar alarm can help decrease those chances and is one of the most cost-effective solutions to secure a home or business.
Get back your peace of mind.

An alarm system works with sensors. When a sensor is triggered, there’s a physical and electronic notification. The physical alert is useful if you are inside the home or business and to alert neighbors.

During the night, you can fall asleep more peacefully knowing that you’ll be alerted if someone tries to break into your home or business. This is a simple proactive action that can give you that peace of mind back.

When a professional company monitors your alarm, you’ll also have a faster response from the police and it’ll buy you some time to take charge of the situation.
Safety routine in Place.

Did you know that the most common points of entry for burglars are open doors and windows?

When you have a burglar alarm, it’s easier to be in control because it becomes part of your routine. If there are any tips you’ll ever want to follow are these three: Lock all doors (including the garage or back doors for businesses), lock all windows, and arm your alarm.

Reduce losses. 

A burglar alarm can be controlled remotely. From a phone App, you can arm and disarm your system, control your thermostat, and other smart devices. Everyday actions, overtime increases protection and reduces loss of valuable items and resources.

Want to discuss which system is best for your property?

Contact us with your questions at info@vintechnology.com and join the network of Chicago residents who are already using their systems to improve safety in their lives and neighborhoods.

Recent incidents that have been caught by businesses and residential cameras.

Robberies – Armed robbery in Lincoln Park of a woman who was visiting daughter from Wisconsin for Holiday shopping.
Car jackings. Car jacking assault caught on camera. Victim fought to get her dog out of the car.
Disappearances. The Wiener’s Circle provided footage that helped in the disappearance of Northwestern student Peter Salvino.

The post Do Chicago residents really need a security system? appeared first on VinTech Systems.