Sperry West has become the industry’s leading manufacturer of covert video surveillance cameras and kits. Their video products are used in some of today’s most recognized facilities.  Here they provide seven things you could do for successful covert surveillance.

• The subject be in the right location for your camera plan? In the case of harassment, be careful when working with the subject, not to entice the suspect, or it may be entrapment.
• Always do a dry run to make sure everything is working right and that you will be able to identify the perpetrator.
• Remember that lighting conditions may change at different times, which may adversely affect the picture.
• Choose the best camera for the circumstance. A simple smoke detector camera, or something new, in some areas and with some sharp perpetrators, may not be the best choice. In difficult situations, you may want to have two types of pinhole cameras available, such as a barrel type for dropped ceiling use & a flat one, which can be put into a familiar object.
• Who needs to know in advance? “Tell no one” is best to keep the surveillance secret, but it’s not always possible. You may need help in setting up the surveillance, or you may need your boss to approve it. Even another employee may need to know, if they are going to be involved, or their private office is being used for cameras. Try to minimize the number of people who know and impress upon them the need for secrecy.
• In most cases, do not record a covert surveillance on your normal recorder within the security office or the IT department. Recordings may take place within the actual camera, or sent to a network or digital recorder. Direct wiring is best and point-to-point transmitters and receivers are generally secure. Be careful about who has access, when using IP or WIFI.
• If your budget allows, try to keep many solutions in your arsenal, for eventual use. Suggestions based on customer success, would include one or more models of Sperry West® Video Commander Kits, as they are very comprehensive to keep you ready for most situations.

By Barry Levine, Founder & CEO of Sperry West