Digital camera

[HotelSecurity]

I turned 50 on Saturday & finally joined the modern age. I got a digital camera. We have been writting our reports via the computer for years now but never had a digital camera. I can see it coming in very handy, especially since I see security work as mostly preventive. I can take photos of things I'm reporting to be dangerous & add the photo to the report.

On one thread we listed things we carry on the job. I don't remember seeing anyone mention a digital camera. Does anyone?

[ycaso77]

Here its the same deal, some carry thier own with them. One guy uses his cellphone camera but a poor substitute quality wise. I really think the best option would be to have supervisors with an issue camera to respond as needed. At my last job before retirement we had those cheap one use cameras in the equipment box in the trunk. Good enough for decent pictures and always a CVS around to get the pictures developed.

[Taser]

My latest digital camera is a Nikon. I've taken hundreds of photos while working over the years (digital and not) and I can tell you that you should always have a camera. Some pictures have definitely helped in court.

[Guest]

I have a digital camera in my office to take pictures with for inclusion in reports, but my officers do not carry it around with them.

[EMTGuard]

I usually have my personal camera and will include jpeg or mov attachments on reports to my supervisor when writting up incidents such as wrecks or damage to property. I've only used it a couple of times.

[Mr. Security]

Cameras are banned at the facility where I'm posted due to secrecy issues.

[ycaso77]

Cameras are banned at the facility where I'm posted due to secrecy issues.

Sounds like a defense contractor or something military related. If its Mass I'd gather Devens or Raytheon or the like. One question, at your facility how do they handle cell phones with photo capability or is any type of electronic recording device banned?

[GCMC Security]

Sounds like a defense contractor or something military related. If its Mass I'd gather Devens or Raytheon or the like. One question, at your facility how do they handle cell phones with photo capability or is any type of electronic recording device banned?

I worked at a call center for a major distributer of student loans and employees were not allowed to bring in camera phones. They were told this in Orientation and signs were posted through out the facility. This was due to privacy issues, I guess they were worried about people taking photos of customers personal info (ssn's and such). We never had much of an issue, but when we did see one, we would hold it at the desk until the end of their shift.

[N. A. Corbier]

I've carried a digital camera before, used it for trespass warning photos. One site I worked at required a camcorder on site to be used to document issues such as the general screamings, ranting, and disorder that was rampant on property.

That didn't go over to well. Any time the police showed up, they would demand it was turned off. Any time we brought it out, the residents would start screaming and ranting about their privacy rights being abused. One person tried to snatch it, got a face full of OC, and ran off screaming, "police brutality!"

Cameras that are small, pocketable, and digital are useful. Just don't give a single man a video recorder.

[Big Bulldog]

I also manage a site where cameras are not so much forbidden as controlled. We have a written policy in place, signage, the policy is posted, etc...

Due to liability issues (upskirt photos anyone?) and obvious security issues, we have strict policy on how, when, where and who can take photos. They must be accompanied by security at all times. Anyone found with a camera in use has it confiscated, the pictures deleted and they are escorted to the SOC until the proper management personnel can be reached.

This includes camera cellphones.

[EMTGuard]

Sounds like a defense contractor or something military related. If its Mass I'd gather Devens or Raytheon or the like. One question, at your facility how do they handle cell phones with photo capability or is any type of electronic recording device banned?

Not necessarily. I was posted at a chemical plant and we had a policy against cameras or cellphones with cams on the property. We were supposed to ask the contractors or visitors to leave any cameras at the front gate desk. From speaking with other SOs I am told that it's the same way at other plants. The steel mill where I work actually has a policy banning the use of cameras but we don't enforce it until someone abuses the rule. In most of these cases the companies are trying to protect certain techniques for manufactoring their product or designing their facility from their competitor.

[ycaso77]

Not necessarily. I was posted at a chemical plant and we had a policy against cameras or cellphones with cams on the property. We were supposed to ask the contractors or visitors to leave any cameras at the front gate desk. From speaking with other SOs I am told that it's the same way at other plants. The steel mill where I work actually has a policy banning the use of cameras but we don't enforce it until someone abuses the rule. In most of these cases the companies are trying to protect certain techniques for manufactoring their product or designing their facility from their competitor.

I was thinking of long ago when I worked at a couple different mil/def contractors- Electric Boat and Sikorsky. They had a fit if you had a pocket tape recorder never mind a camera. And as you say, corporate espionage is still going strong.

[Mr. Security]

Sounds like a defense contractor or something military related. If its Mass I'd gather Devens or Raytheon or the like. One question, at your facility how do they handle cell phones with photo capability or is any type of electronic recording device banned?

R&D facility.

[1stWatch]

I carry a little digital camera around. It has been useful for taking photos for trespass warnings, photos for evidence for burglaries, drug possession, and indecency cases, and finding people doing silly things like sleeping on duty.