Payroll and related HR administrative costs associated with hiring security guards are expenses that are rarely recouped. When equipment theft or vandalism occurs while security guards are on duty it’s easy for management to look for a better solution.
That’s exactly what led natural gas producer PGP to seek out Vulcan Security Systems and install a Mobotix security camera system using cameras with dual thermal/optical lens and an event-based (semi-automated) monitoring package. The system was designed and installed in the spring of 2019.
“The cost savings have been amazing—very significant,” said Mike Bretzke, General Superintendent of PGP Operating, LLC. “[It] moved the needle—and it wasn’t a small installation. The installation will more than pay for itself within a year in cost savings compared to what we were paying for security before.”
Mike Bretzke, General Superintendent, PGP Operating, LLC
A particular theft incident on the secured premises is what prompted PGP to begin researching new options.
“We had been paying security officers for night and weekend surveillance and something was stolen while the guards were present and on-duty,” Bretzke explained in an October interview. “After that theft, and watching costs continue to increase, we decided to look for an alternative solution.”
Bretzke said he began doing research online and came across the website for Vulcan Security Systems. “I discovered they’d done remote applications similar to what we needed so I called Jason [Maddox],” Bretzke said. “He came out for a site visit. Jason knew the products well and understood the appropriate application’s for PGP’s security needs.”
Mobotix Dual Sensor Security Cameras with Thermal & Optical Lens
The PGP video security system is built around the Mobotix dual-sensor cameras that enable both thermal and optical (visual) monitoring. Thermal-equipped cameras detect animate objects (through the presence of heat-signals) in low and no-light situations where the optical lens would not necessarily detect the presence of a possible intruder.
“I had no prior experience with thermal cameras,” Bretzke said. “I wasn’t specifically looking for thermals when we called Jason, but he knew what would work for our application needs. I’ve been impressed with the thermal technology.”
The cameras are programmed to identify key locations for monitoring and trigger event-based alerts to the Vulcan Security Systems monitoring station.
Pre-defined response protocols are followed to respond to the alert. Typically, these involve having the monitoring station person on duty to remotely view the potential threat, assess the nature, and notify authorities or designated management. It’s up to the VSS client, such as PGP, to define precisely how the potential (or actual) security incident is to be handled.
“We’ve had no incidents since installation,” Bretzke noted. “They’ve done what we wanted them to do.”
Contact Vulcan Security Systems today to learn more about our business security camera system capabilities and monitoring packages.
