Video surveillance installation to deter intruders and heighten security

The Co-ownership Management Committee represents the 128 co-owners of the Cott’Age building in Villepreux (78). In 2016, despite the double-door entrance fitted with a key or VIGIK (physical access control system), several incidents took place including bike thefts in the car parks and attempted burglaries of apartments. In 2017, the Co-ownership Management Committee started to compile video surveillance files in order to present a complete system to the general assembly at a reasonable cost, both in terms of installation and opera¬tion, aiming at an envelope equivalent to 10% of the estimated annual expenses budget. Konica Minolta installed seven Mobotix cameras to heighten security. The installation has now been up and running since September 2018.

Ensure properties and people are safe and prevent damage in communal areas

The building has four hallways that can be accessed from the public road and an underground car park with 185 parking spaces, which can be accessed via two pedestrian entrances/exits and one vehicle entrance/exit. Daniel Bacon is the Vice President of the Co-ownership Management Committee, appoint­ed by the 128 co-owners to help residents and ensure improvement projects are completed successfully. “Built in 2015, a new residence like ours attracts interest. A car was stripped, bikes stolen and at­tempts were made to burgle apartments, fortunately unsuccessfully. Minor damage can also sometimes make people living in a property of collective owner­ship feel less at ease.”

A trusted partner

Konica Minolta was one of the three companies the Co-ownership Management Committee considered. Having a perfect understanding of the requirements they expressed during the on-site audit as well as the strong image of the Mobotix and Konica Minolta brand had Konica Minolta stand out. The installation of video surveillance is a lasting investment and as such, it was important for co-owners to enlist a well-established company. Konica Minolta was also chosen for technical and aesthetic reasons: Konica Minolta’s off er only made use of RJ45 cables. Their small size would only entail minimal work and would not require the addition of potentially unsightly holes in the building. The installation comprises seven Mobotix cameras (these cover the four hallways and the three garage access points), a laptop, the MxManagement Center application to control the surveillance and a NAS server for storing information. The laptop on which the system is controlled is set up in a secure place that can be accessed by members of the Co-ownership Manage- ment Committee in charge of the operation of the video surveillance system. Konica Minolta’s solution provided the option of managing the system remotely via an Internet connection. “We chose to install seven cameras covering all the access points as legislation procedures are not as restrictive when eight or fewer cameras are used. Nevertheless, in our study with Konica Minolta and should the need arise, we wanted a progressive system that could allow us to increase the number of cameras without having to modify the current installation and for a reasonable price”, says Bacon. The installation can be extended in the event of problems in communal areas, e.g. the lifts. The installed system means cameras can be added for easy connection to the NAS and programming of the MxManagement Center software.

Immediate benefits through the video surveillance system

“The benefit was immediate, mainly because it served as a deterrent as regards intruders and residents felt reassured. With the system installed, we were also able to deal with three neighbourhood disturbances.

Firstly, we identified how a door-to-door sales rep, who had no device for accessing the building, was able to enter and therefore gain access to residents’ apart­ments. Secondly, we uncovered previously undetected inappropriate behaviour: A resident was using a special key to access their neighbours’ letterboxes and spying on the contents. Thirdly, a child who lived in the building was threatened in the hallway by other children from their school who followed them in uninvited. Being able to consult the images meant we could resolve these problems immediately”, says Bacon. Another extremely positive benefit for co-own­ers concerns the value of their apartments. Konica Minolta’s bid for the installation of seven cameras was extremely well received: Residents took on board the positive endorsement given to them by the Co-owner­ship Management Committee. The installation has now been up and running since September 2018.

Reassuring support concerning the protection of personal data Konica

Minolta strongly recommended the adherence to CNIL (National Commission on Informatics and Liberty) regulations as regards the use of images. “Properly advised by our representatives, we made a declaration to CNIL and affi xed notices that indicated the use of video surveillance within the building to ensure full information on image rights was available. Our declaration to CNIL explicitly mentions those authorised to view the images. The images are destroyed at the end of every month. They are only viewed in the event of an incident or upon the request of someone who has a right to the image. Images that may incriminate someone can be stored immediately if they accompany a complaint that requests them”. Konica Minolta’s support does not stop with its vigilance as regards respecting peoples’ rights. “The installation is extremely compact and does not interfere with the integrity of any parts of the building, and each time the installation requires a minor tweak, a technician comes out without delay.”