The Athabasca District Chamber of Commerce is spreading the word on how businesses can protect themselves in light of the array of thefts in the Athabasca area this year.
Curtis Creaser from Semalta Communications presented at the Dec. 11 chamber meeting about the types of systems businesses can use to protect their inventory.
A suggestion from Athabasca RCMP detachment Sgt. Brian Scott to businesses was that if they have security cameras or alarm systems, to make sure they are in good working order.
Creaser said there are two different systems businesses can install.
“There’s an alarm system and a video surveillance system,” he said. “They are two separate systems that can work together.”
As an example, Creaser stated the Semalta Communications building is armed with a security system that allows Creaser to log in and see video of what is happening within the store.
“We also have an alarm system that has motion sensors and door sensors,” he said.
He explained that one day, a worker entered the store and forgot to disarm the system.
“Instead of calling the police right away, it calls us,” he explained. “I looked at my phone and could see my flustered coworker.”
Creaser explained this is a self-monitored system that allows him to make the decision to call the RCMP.
In this instance, it was a false alarm, and no RCMP were required.
“When we go and look at the footage, we don’t have to sift through hours of footage,” he explained, because the cameras are motion sensors.
Semalta Communications ramped up security after the business was robbed during business hours in broad daylight.
“We had a lady working by herself. The guy noticed there were no cars in the back and opened the back door,” Creaser said. “The guy walks around, and since we have lots of inventory, he was looking for cellphones. He saw some boxes with pictures on them.”
The thief was apprehended because he was caught on camera and Semalta was able to send a photo of the person to the RCMP.
“We now lock the back door so the delivery guy has to hit the doorbell,” he said. “That is an example of how our system works.”
Seven years ago, Semalta Communications started offering alarm and video surveillance systems because there was a need in Athabasca.
“There are two types of systems that you can get,” Creaser said. “You can get it monitored by a company for a monthly fee, and if the alarm goes off, they call the police, they extend communication into the building, and they will call the contact information you provide.”
Creaser said the third-party monitor system is quite effective; however, there have been issues with the companies not reporting the incident until several hours later.
“There is the self call-out,” he said of the second type of system. “I have four different phone numbers in my system. If my alarm system goes off, it is going to call those phone numbers until it gets an answer.”
Creaser said the system will allow him to disarm the alarm, view the video footage and determine if the police need to be called.
“I am in control of the situation,” he said.
Many businesses in town are arming themselves with alarms and video surveillance.
“I have recently installed some outdoor motion sensors,” Creaser said.
He also stated systems could be arranged that control things from door locks to furnace temperature.
“There are systems with carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors,” he said. “If you can think it up, you can do it.”
As for the cost, Creaser said there is a vast range.
“Some companies offer free systems and free installation on a five-year term,” he said. “You can pay for a system up front and have a one-time investment, or we can do a combination where there is an installation fee. Then you have a monitoring fee.”
One of the chamber members brought up thieves cutting phone lines to disarm the systems.
“It is a cellphone pack and it’s $5 a month so that if someone cuts your phone line and thinks they are home free, it is not the case,” Creaser explained. “They are built so there is a backup battery and it will be fully charged while your power is on. If the power goes off, it reverts to the backup battery, and when the power comes on, it is smart enough to switch over again.”
Creaser said cheap cameras and systems tend to be less effective.
Sgt. Scott said if you have a camera that can only show a muddled shape, it really isn’t much help.
“It is the quality of the photo of the bad guy,” he said. “Sometimes you can see a human figure, but sometimes you don’t even get that.”
