Benefits and Considerations of CCTV Systems for Restaurants and Cafes

CCTV systems offer many benefits for those in various retail industries, but those who run restaurants and bars get particular benefits and face particular risks and concerns when they decide to mount security cameras in their place of business. If you own or manage a restaurant, bar or café, take these benefits, risks and recommendations into consideration when deciding whether to install a security camera or when shopping for CCTV systems for your business.

Benefits of CCTV Systems for Bars and Restaurants

Shrinkage in the restaurant business is slightly different in the restaurant business than it is in other retail settings. You may be losing money to employee theft, employee inefficiency and “dine and dash” theft. The most obvious of these is dine and dash theft. A security camera can help your employees spot it before it happens and step in to politely prevent it from happening. A CCTV system is also a good way to pinpoint where you’re losing inventory to employee errors, inefficiency and deliberate theft. The cash savings alone can pay for the security camera within just a few months.

Crowded bars and emotionally charged events such as sporting events or weekend dance nights are a setup for fights and other violence. The presence of a surveillance camera can help prevent violence – many people are on much better behavior when they know they’re being watched. If a fight does break out, a CCTV system can help pinpoint the source and provide evidence in case of a lawsuit or court case.

By the same token, a CCTV system can help keep your employees safe from lawsuits and legal penalties. Many dance and entertainment venues place a security camera at the entrance to capture ID checks in an effort to protect themselves from charges of catering to underage drinkers. A well-placed security camera can also protect your employees from charges of rough handling when they have to step in to ask patrons to leave – or assist them in leaving your premises.

Risk Considerations When Placing CCTV Systems in Restaurants

When designing a CCTV system for your bar or restaurant, it’s important to be very aware of privacy concerns for both your employees and your customers. Place security cameras in public areas, including the foyer and entrance, the dining rooms and bars, stockrooms and kitchens. Keep them out of the bathrooms and employee break rooms, where they may invade personal privacy and put you at risk of lawsuits.

Parking lots can be a dangerous hub for fights and other activities. A surveillance camera allows you to keep an eye on the parking lot so that you can intervene or notify authorities to intervene if necessary.

Do a security audit of your location and your business to determine if your restaurant would benefit from CCTV systems or a security camera system. If you think your establishment would benefit from higher security, consult with a CCTV systems professional to help design the right security system for your needs.

CCTV Systems for Your HomeHome

CCTV systems offer enhanced security and safety for your home and your family. Whether you want to be alerted when someone approaches your home or keep an eye on a sleeping baby in another room, advances in CCTV camera technology have brought basic CCTV systems within the budget range of most homeowners. There are many different types of inexpensive CCTV systems and cameras, each of them suited for different uses in and around the home.

CCTV Security camera

A security camera at the front and back doors can let you know who’s at the door before you answer it and possibly put yourself in danger. If your driveway is out of sight of your home, a security camera focused on the end of the drive will let you know when cars approach your home, and one focused on the driveway itself will pick up any activity around your parked car.

A visible CCTV camera focused on your automobile can serve as a deterrent to would-be thieves and vandals. If someone does break into your car or your home, a CCTV security system can provide vital information that will help police apprehend the thieves and evidence that will help them convict the thieves in court.

CCTV Surveillance Camera

CCTV surveillance cameras can help you keep an eye on your home when you’re not there. Surveillance cameras, the so-called nanny cams, can be set up so that you can monitor babysitters and workers in your home. The right CCTV system can help you keep your children safe by allowing you to peek in over the course of the day to see what’s going on, or by letting you watch footage recorded over the entire day so you can reassure yourself that your children are in good hands while you’re not at home.

A CCTV system with an IP surveillance camera can allow you to view what’s happening in your home in real time, either via your computer at work or over a smartphone app that connects to the PC on which your camera is running. With a CCTV system running in your home, you can catch thieves in the act and alert the authorities so that they apprehend them before they make off with your belongings.

Today’s CCTV systems are extremely affordable. A wireless security camera and software can set you back as little as $100 to $150. A more complex system with multiple cameras and a dedicated recording system often costs less than $500. It’s a small price to pay for peace of mind.