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Video
Surveillance for Liquor Stores
Liquor stores
can greatly benefit from the security provided by video surveillance. Like convenience
stores, they are often seen as easy targets for petty theft and can suffer major
losses from thieves and other criminals. A smartly installed security camera
system can help keep your liquor store safe.
Advantages
of CCTV at Bottle Shops
- Easy
to Install – Modern video surveillance systems are easy to install
and maintain. Instead of calling in technicians with ladders and power tools,
you can place the cameras yourself and configure them in minutes. Security
systems with IP cameras are also reconfigurable, allowing you to change the
layout of your system as your needs change.
- Prevent
theft and vandalism - Surveillance cameras in visible locations can
deter thieves and vandals, and help authorities identify criminals who do
rob your store.
- Increased
safety – Many liquor stores have problems with customers who abuse
alcohol. Surveillance cameras can help keep your employees safe should intoxicated
or disgruntled customers lash out.
- Monitor
multiple stores at once – If you own a chain of liquor stores, a
surveillance system routed through an NVR (network video recorder) is a great
option for managing security. NVRs are able to store camera footage on a hard
drive and broadcast it over the internet, so you can check up on your stores
at any time.
Risks of Video
Surveillance at Package Stores and ABC Stores
- Theft
– Criminals who wish to rob your store may steal more than liquor.
Security cameras are valuable and may also be a target for thieves. Be sure
to have alternate security methods in place should a robber attempt to steal
one of your surveillance cameras.
- Employee
Privacy – To protect the privacy of your employees, keep your surveillance
cameras in public places like the sales floor and stockroom.
- Power
outages – Power surges and outages may damage your system or cause
interruptions in your recording.
Configuration
of Security Cameras at a Liquor Store
Liquor stores
vary in size, merchandise, and traffic. There are many factors that go into
setting up a security camera system. Consider each of the following when setting
up your surveillance system:
- Risks
- What kind
of security do you currently have in place?
- What is your
largest security threat and how will a security camera system help?
- How many
robberies have you had in the past year?
- Location
- Are you located
in a city, suburban or rural area?
- Are you located
in a college town?
- What kind
of neighborhood are you in?
- Do other
retail stores in your area have crime problems?
- Customers
- What is your
average customer base?
- Has your
store experienced problems with alcoholics?
- Size
- How large
is your liquor store?
- How many
customers do you serve?
- Staff
- How many
employees do you have?
- Do you have
a high rate of employee turnover?
- Laws
- Is there
a set of laws in your area that liquor stores must comply with?
- Is your security
regulated by local law?
- Have you
had problems with fake IDs and selling to minors in the past?
Security Cameras
in Liquor Stores
After Smyrna Liquors
in Smyrna, MD was robbed and ransacked, police used surveillance footage to
help track down the thieves. Police used a combination of suspect descriptions
from the footage as well as evidence within the store to lead them to a nearby
motel, where they discovered more stolen merchandise. The three suspects were
tracked down, arrested and charged for the robbery. Read
more at WBOC.com…
Scenarios – Why
Your Alcohol Reseller Needs Video Surveillance
Repeat
theft – You're the owner of a chain of liquor stores in a metropolitan
area. One of your stores in a high-crime neighborhood has recently experienced
several thefts. While you already have a system of analog CCTV cameras in several
of your stores, you decide to upgrade to a system of IP cameras with an NVR.
The NVR allows you to check up on any of your stores at any time without having
to do extensive travel. When one of your suburban stores is robbed, the high
resolution footage from your surveillance cameras helps the police identify
and arrest the thief.
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