Working in access systems and security has never been the most glamorous job, but the last few weeks have been a little ‘trashier’ than usual…
And by that, I mean that we have spent a lot of time watching CCTV footage to identify a rubbish-dumping resident.
We provide CCTV for an apartment block in which the block manager is having difficulty with someone leaving mattresses and other non-approved waste in the communal bins. As you probably know, businesses, such as apartment buildings, require commercial waste collections for any refuse produced through acting as a business; for example, if they were to renovate an apartment the refuse generated as a result would require a commercial waste removal service. However, while it is the responsibility of the landlord to provide tenants in apartment blocks with sufficient bins in which to dispose of their rubbish, this counts as household waste and will be removed by the local council. For that reason, bulky items such as mattresses are an individual’s responsibility to dispose of – they can’t just be abandoned next to communal bins!
Non-approved waste is classified as anything that the local council will not collect free of charge. This includes furniture, dog and cat cages, metal-handled mops and so much more. Each size of wheelie bin is restricted to a particular weight and fill allowance because of all the bins the truck is scheduled to pick up and empty that day. Collection teams also work within the weight limit to ensure the truck can lift the bin without it being damaged or lost, and will not collect bins where the lid is considered to be excessively open (typically an inch or two is the limit). Exceptionally heavy bins or unapproved bulky items could result in the block manager being fined £3000 by their waste management company – you can understand why they were so desperate for us to trawl through their footage!
In finding out who the culprit is, the block manager then has a few options regarding how they wish to proceed. They might opt for an ‘off the record’ approach and speak to the resident directly, politely asking them to refrain from leaving unsanctioned waste in communal refuse areas. Alternatively, they might choose to take a more official approach and issue a formal warning, perhaps a letter detailing the date and time of the offence as captured by our CCTV cameras, warning them of legal action should they continue. If, following these warnings, the offender were to continue to dump their rubbish and the situation was escalated to involve law enforcement, the footage our cameras have captured would provide invaluable evidence.
Usually, CCTV systems are implemented to protect property or staff. With strategic placement around the outside of a building, you can capture footage of potential intruders while advertising the presence of cameras. Seeing recording devices on a property is often enough to deter would-be criminals and keep unwanted guests away. In a similar way, the existence of CCTV would be off-putting for most people looking to commit theft or an act of violence against a member of staff in a bar or retail setting, but if there is an incident the footage provides comprehensive evidence. Furthermore, CCTV is often used in public places to instil a sense of community safety and maintain public order. In all of these cases recording equipment provides an effective deterrent as well as secure and detailed footage if it’s needed.
Have you heard about our new body cams? They are a body-worn alternative (or addition) to CCTV that are particularly popular in safeguarding lone or front-line workers. Similarly to CCTV, they act as both a dissuasion against potential violence and a source of evidence should that happen. They employ the latest audio-visual technology to provide high-quality incident recordings and peace of mind for staff and employers alike.
We don’t spend all of our time watching rubbish (it just feels like it lately). We’ve also been busy delivering our non-CCTV-related services to our customers. We’re specialists in the installation and repair of networks of satellite and aerial systems, such as those in hotels, and our engineers partner with hotels and apartment blocks across the country to transmit their chosen entertainment to their customers. We also offer door entry systems to support a range of requirements, including complex access control systems that issue unique PIN numbers or access chips to authorised individuals. What’s more, we’re experts when it comes to the installation of a variety of different locks, fire-regulatory compliant doors, request-to-exit buttons and other safety and security devices. From hire purchase packages to becoming your trusted tech partner (and even becoming detectives and sifting through your CCTV footage) we have a wealth of satellite and security solutions and knowledge.
But yes, we’ve spent a lot of time this month watching rubbish. How about you?