Houston, We Have A (Security) Solution

Affordable Security Solutions For Houston’s New Business Surveillance Requirements

Starting July 19 certain Houston businesses are required to have high-resolution exterior surveillance cameras and retain surveillance video for at least 30 days. The new security camera ordinance, passed in April, is part of the ‘One Safe Houston’ initiative to reduce violent crime in the city. Businesses impacted by these new requirements are convenience stores, bars and nightclubs, game rooms, and sexually oriented businesses.

Eagle Eye Networks, a video surveillance company based in Austin, has an affordable cloud-based surveillance solution that will benefit businesses working to meet Houston’s new security code. Eagle Eye Networks VMS (Video Management System) is one of the most flexible surveillance systems on the market and will work with any existing camera. This means that with Eagle Eye VMS, businesses can add any necessary required cameras to their existing security camera network without needing to replace all cameras.

Eagle Eye is the only video management system that allows business owners to choose the security camera that is best for their needs and price point from hundreds of manufacturers. Businesses can choose from affordable, high quality options rather than requirements from other surveillance companies to buy proprietary cameras that can cost thousands of dollars.

Benefits Of Cloud Video Surveillance

The Eagle Eye VMS is cloud-based and can be accessed and managed from anywhere. Business owners and managers can easily set and adjust retention rates to meet the city of Houston’s 30-day video retention requirement for certain cameras while customizing retention for other cameras connected to the system. Off-site cloud storage means the system receives automatic software updates, plus no more on-site DVRs that can break and malfunction requiring a large replacement or repair cost.

The cloud-based system makes it easy to remotely find and share required video. Smart Video Search, an included AI-powered feature, allows users to save time by searching surveillance video from any camera to find specific incidents and easily share those video clips in the correct format by email with investigators. Owners of multiple businesses can add and manage any and all locations from a single interface, even on their mobile phone.

Understanding Houston’s Security Camera Ordinance

• A business subject to the requirements shall have digital high-resolution surveillance cameras sufficient to provide an overall view from the exterior of the building to the property line and each camera shall be placed in consultation with HPD.
• The camera shall be capable of exporting video footage in a non-proprietary MPEG-4 format.
• The owner shall provide the police department with digital color images in connection with criminal investigations within 72 hours. 
• The owner shall maintain a library of the recorded digital images for not less than 30 days. 

Houston Crime Statistics

Houston’s ‘One Safe Houston‘ initiative was announced in February 2022 by Mayor Sylvester Turner.

According to Houston police data, HPD responded to more than 10,000 crimes at these types of businesses in 2021.

• 7,201 reported crimes at convenience stores
• 2,946 reported crimes at bars and nightclubs, including sexually-oriented businesses
• 94 reported crimes at gambling establishments