PROVIDING SECURITY

By Dave S. Pack, Executive Vice President, Titan Security Group

TO YOUR ASSOCIATION

network of spies or by his own sneaky schemes. The modern, more practical alternative to employing spies is to utilize recording devices. There have been dramatic improvements in camera and Digital Video Recorder (DVR) technology in recent years. These improvements coupled with advancements in network bandwidth and internet speeds can significantly improve video surveillance for community associations. Analog camera technology is dated, resulting in low resolution video surveillance, limiting the overall security environment. Additionally, historical camera housings and mounts may allow for camera direction to be predictive based on the direction of the camera housing. Consider upgrading any existing analog cameras to Wide Dynamic Range (WDR) dome cameras or Network IP cameras and upgrading existing DVRs to hybrid Network Video Recorders (NVR) with local area network connections to the lobby desk and management office to allow for video surveillance from all locations. Consider connecting the Network Video Recorders to the Internet to allow for remote monitoring on tablets or smartphones. WDR dome cameras are specifically designed for applications that include both outside sunlight and inside artificial light in the same scene. Network IP cameras increase the security environment by providing greater resolution and useable video footage allowing true identification capabilities. Hybrid NVRs allow for use of current analog cameras and Network IP cameras, which allows the community association to upgrade from analog to Network IP cameras gradually over time. Hybrid NVRs combined with LAN connections allow for network and remote surveillance of live and recorded video on PC’s, tablets or smartphones.

e PHYSICALSECURITY PHYSICAL SECURITY

Many properties encounter residents and visitors intentionally or unintentionally propping doors open for extended periods of time. Add magnetic door contacts to exterior doors and parking garage overhead doors and connect them to an intrusion alarm panel to alert the community association staff if the door is improperly held open. Parking garages can be another area where unauthorized personnel gain entry to a community association. A system-connected wireless/receiver that is tied into the property’s electronic access control system will provide full historical transaction information and allow the community association management to activate and deactivate parking credentials. If stairwells from parking garages lead directly to residential unit floors, these stairwells should be controlled by adding a swing gate between the garage and residential floors. The parking garage overhead doors dwell times should be reviewed to ensure the overhead doors are not staying open for extended periods of time.

DOOR STAFF & SECURITY PERSONNEL

Every community association would be so lucky to have their very own “Night’s Watch,” the group of Sworn Brothers that defend The Wall. Traditionally in multi-family residential security, door staff and/or security employees are hired as part of the community association staff to provide access control, package management, and other high-end customer service functions. As increasing trends toward violence and employer-related litigation continue, many community associations have turned to third-party

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