CCTV Systems for Your Church

As much as we’d like to think that churches have their own security systems, in the real world even a church can take advantage of CCTV systems for security and other uses. In fact, there are a number of ways that CCTV systems and security camera systems can be very useful for a church and congregation. Here are just a few of the ways to use CCTV security for your church premises.

Parking Lot Surveillance

A surveillance camera trained on the church parking lot can help safeguard parishioners’ cars while they attend services. A very visible security camera with warning signs can deter would-be thieves and vandals, and a surveillance camera can provide footage to help determine fault in church parking lot fender benders, especially hit-and-run bumps that often go unreported.

Children’s Room Surveillance

If your church provides child care during services so that parents can attend undistracted, a surveillance camera can provide assurance that children are being properly watched and cared for while in the care of church volunteers and staff. The video feed from the child care room can also serve as reassurance to parents, who can “check in” on their little ones to make sure they’ve settled in and are comfortable being left.

Quiet Room Video Feed

CCTV systems provide more than security. If your congregation provides a “quiet room” where parents with young children can watch the services without worrying that their children will disturb the congregation, a CCTV camera and monitor can bring the sermon and services to them, up close and personal. It’s a far more personal setup than a glass wall with PA speakers.

Broadcast Local Services

If you choose IP-based security, your church can provide remote broadcasts of services for local shut-ins using the same technology as CCTV systems. Simply make the security feed from a specific CCTV camera available at the specific IP and provide login information for viewing services. Shut-ins no longer have to feel left out of the congregation, thanks to modern security camera technology.

Protect Clergy from False Accusations

It’s an unfortunate fact of life that some members of the clergy have abused their positions of influence. Another unfortunate fact, stemming from the first, is that there are some unscrupulous lay people who have made false accusations against clergy in the hope of getting a settlement. An unobtrusive CCTV camera can help protect clergy from false accusations by proving their innocence of the charges should the need arise.

CCTV systems are surprisingly affordable, and easily within the budget of most churches and congregations. Consider the many ways that a CCTV camera system can be beneficial to your community and you’ll see how much sense it makes to install a CCTV security system.

Choosing Cameras for CCTV Systems

Security cameras are a vital part of all CCTV systems. The security camera choices you make will affect the quality of your security footage, which will affect exactly how you can use that footage. The right surveillance cameras for your CCTV systems will can provide better protection, allow you to run facial recognition or crowd control software, let you pick up even the smallest movements in low-light situations and even film surveillance in total darkness. These tips can help you figure out what features you need in your CCTV camera choices for the uses you intend to make of them.

Do You Want Remote Access to Your CCTV Systems and Footage?

The easiest way to make sure that you have remote access to your CCTV system is with a PC-based server running on a network. In most cases, that will mean an IP security camera setup with wireless access, but it’s not an absolute given.

Do You Want the Ability to Reconfigure Your Security Camera Positions?

A wired surveillance camera system is pretty much limited to the configuration you originally design. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, especially if you’ve worked out your surveillance patterns and know exactly what coverage your business or home needs. Wired CCTV systems are more secure and often provide better images than wireless, so there’s a lot to be said for them.

If, on the other hand, you may want to move cameras to different locations, a wireless security camera solution is the better choice. You’ll still usually have to locate your cameras near an electrical outlet, but you won’t have to run wires to them.

How Much Light is Available for Recording Images?

The amount of light available for camera recording will be an important factor in which type of security camera you choose. If you want to record in low light, you’ll need equipment capable of recording with limited lighting. If you want to be able to record in total darkness, you’ll need a security camera with infrared capabilities.

Will Any of the Cameras Be Outdoors?

Outdoor security cameras need weather-resistant camera housings. If they’re in locations that are accessible from the ground, you may also want to choose a surveillance camera with a protective screen to avoid damage from thrown objects and other types of vandalism.

Do You Want Your Cameras to Serve as a Deterrent?

CCTV systems serve two purposes. One is surveillance. The other is deterrence. If you want to discourage bad behavior, such as shoplifting, an obvious security camera is a good choice. If you want to do covert surveillance, dome cameras are a better choice.

Of course, it’s also important that the security cameras you choose for your CCTV systems must also be compatible with the recording device and monitors you’re using. If you need more help choosing the right security cameras for your system, most vendors will be happy to give you advice.