Are All "Security Cameras" in Stores Real?

Richmond Tigers on 21/07/2022 - 14:16
Last edited 21/07/2022 - 14:42 by 1 other user

Hi all

My local Coles recently installed security cameras overnight, about 20 of them (1 at each end of the aisle). NOTE: they have been up for a few weeks, I only just thought to ask now

Now the roof of the Coles has exposed steel trusses and I cannot for the life of me work out where the cables for the cameras would go or how I can see absolutely no conduit connecting the cameras once the end of them attaches to the truss. Nor does it seem likely that all these cameras got installed overnight.

And even if they are real, how does the footage even get viewed or stored? I am guessing the store manager isn't looking at 20 screens or going back through hours of footage to track down which kid stole that chocolate.

Are the real cameras the ones that live in the medical/cosmetic aisles attached to screens and he others merely a deterrent?

Just asking out of interest, I'm too clumsy for shoplifting.

Food & Grocery Security Camera

Comments

SF3 on 21/07/2022 - 14:19

+6

Just asking out of interest, I'm too clumsy for shoplifting.

There is usually more to it, than the story posted on OzB ;)

Heist ?
- Jimothy Wongingtons on 21/07/2022 - 14:28
  
  +1
  
  well we have the Mastermind role sorted via OP, now all he needs is someone to fill rolls of con-man, wheelman/pilot, strong man/mechanic
- Richmond Tigers on 21/07/2022 - 14:34
  
  If coles had better meat, then maybe I'd consider a heist.
  - tallkid123 on 21/07/2022 - 14:46
    
    +3
    
    Easier to take meat from Coles than from a butcher with a lot of sharp tools nearby directly.
Hybroid on 21/07/2022 - 14:20

+2

Could be they aren't connected up yet.

Could be they're wireless cameras (doubt).

Could be they're dummies to deter people.

Could be a really really good cable guy.

There'll be a security room with multiple screens and switches but most often they'll be on a recording loop for X period of time in case they ever need to dig up footage at Y date and Z time in future.

https://media.istockphoto.com/photos/security-system-operato…
djones145 on 21/07/2022 - 14:22

smile to the camera and break and steal something

then report back in jail
Jimothy Wongingtons on 21/07/2022 - 14:29

+2

drop your dacks and see how long for security to get to you
- jv on 21/07/2022 - 15:00
  
  +4
  
  I dropped my undies on the way to the register…
  
  Next time, I'll get a basket.
- Richmond Tigers on 21/07/2022 - 15:11
  
  +1
  
  They'll probably just direct me to the napisan gold.
scrimshaw on 21/07/2022 - 14:32

And even if they are real, how does the footage even get viewed or stored? I am guessing the store manager isn't looking at 20 screens or going back through hours of footage to track down which kid stole that chocolate.

There's something called an NVR or DVR which is responsible for recording, storing and archiving footage, the footage can be accessed later if someone reports theft.

The cameras may already have been installed but it's possible the work of cabling hasn't started yet, they could be real cameras that aren't in operation. You should also know that fake cameras nowadays also have a wire to give the impression that it's networked and powered.

Supermarkets like Coles & Woolworths generally have enough money to afford basic security systems for their stores, they also have very high levels of Inventory shrinkage (when compared to other industries) so it makes sense for them to invest in real cameras. A $15,000 camera setup is just a drop in the bucket considering how much a supermarket makes every year.
Cheaplikethebird on 21/07/2022 - 14:48

+2

Well I remember reading somewhere that the security cameras at the self serve checkouts aren't monitored or anything it's just that people are apparently less likely to steal when they can see themselves being recorded.

The real question is does Coles/Woolies employ signal jammers because I can never ever get mobile reception in one of their stores.
- coffeeinmyveins on 21/07/2022 - 14:50
  
  +2
  
  I can't see them recording that much footage. Multiply the number of cameras in self checkouts by each store in Aus and that's a lot of footage every day. Tens of thousands of hours per day of footage….for what?
  - Cheaplikethebird on 21/07/2022 - 15:15
    
    Yeah they're not, pretty sure it would also open them up to a bunch of privacy issues. It's just that someone will have crunched the numbers and they will deter enough people from stealing that it's cheaper to install the cameras. There's heaps of people swiping all their veg through as brown onions who wouldn't normally steal anything, it's probably just enough to scare those people out of doing it.
    - skid on 21/07/2022 - 16:20
      
      Yeh, the cameras should be pointing at the scanned items, not the shopper.
      - Cheaplikethebird on 21/07/2022 - 16:32
        
        +2
        
        @skid: Nah they're pointed at the shopper, at least the ones I've used, because they show the camera view on the screen. I think that's part of the psychology of it, if you can see yourself you're less likely to shoplift.
  - Benno007 on 22/07/2022 - 08:37
    
    biometrics maybe. you don't necessarily have to keep the raw footage, but then again, if you store it in Amazon S3 its only like $1300ish/mo for IA storage for 100TB of footage. The tech in their self serve POS systems probably don't have enough computational power to perform any kind of machine learning against the photo to store face prints or anything (yet)… imagining a future where "oh this is benno007, he looks sad today, suggest he grabs the chocolate bar .." lol
barge-in hunter on 21/07/2022 - 14:52

There are probably some fakes… but there's far more value for a retailer to have real cameras running than just "security"

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-13/bunnings-kmart-invest…
jv on 21/07/2022 - 14:58

Are All "Security Cameras" in Stores Real?

as compared to Imaginary?
ankti231 on 21/07/2022 - 14:59

A lot of smaller stores use fakes but in a large place like Coles they are probably real. They don't have to worry too much about data storage, the FPS they record at is low which keeps file size down, and they automatically delete recordings after a certain amount of time e.g. a week. Security has to manually save clips for permanent storage if something happens. I've worked at supermarkets and department stores, in the former no one watched the cameras in real time but they were regularly reviewed if anything happened (although they did have 1-2 full time undercover shoppers), in the latter they had one security guy watching them. But I've only worked in smaller stores in nicer areas, I've heard from other staff from both the supermarket and department store that bigger branches in lower socio-economic areas had a room full of security people watching the cameras.
WreckTangle on 21/07/2022 - 15:01

I assumed there was a central control room that watched multiple supermarkets at the same time
- jv on 21/07/2022 - 15:09
  
  I assumed there was a central control room that watched multiple supermarkets at the same time
  
  Code Yellow in Aisle 8…
El cheepo on 21/07/2022 - 15:03

+1

Whether they are real or not isn’t overly important to the shop or shoplifters. Even when they are all real, they often aren’t actively monitored. Only checked to review problems.

In supermarkets it’s usually just a deterrent for the would be opportunistic shoplifters.

Supermarkets can rarely (if ever) be bothered actually doing anything aside from call security over petty crime.
And any well practiced shoplifter/delinquent won’t care because they are aware no one can physically stop them walking out even if caught red handed.

The only real thing they can be used for in there is if there is an assault on staff etc. (which has happened a lot more since covid and toilet paper stampedes)
AndyC1 on 21/07/2022 - 15:11

+1

Big places have a mixture of real and fake. The live footage could be viewed in the store office/backroom if they are watching, which would only happen if they think something is wrong or want a break form their normal work. The footage would be stored for a certain time period and it may vary depending on what the real camera's are trying to pickup up.
jorf on 21/07/2022 - 15:12

+2

I used to work at one of the largest Woolworths in Australia. This was a while ago, so my experience is probably less relevant now, but we only had 4 real cameras and only two were in customer areas.

There definitely wasn't a room with someone monitoring the cameras and I doubt there is now either.

Our undercover security guard was way more effective at catching people anyway.
- kanmen on 21/07/2022 - 15:31
  
  I was going to mention the Mall Cop. In my two weeks of work experience at Coles ten years ago the best experience was finding out there's undercover security guards. It was so cool seeing them literally stalking people and catching them in the act.
- Soluble on 21/07/2022 - 18:38
  
  I've worked in maybe 12ish+ retail stores, including supers and liquor, and there was not a single fake camera in any of them. No they didn't have someone watching 24/7 but were recording 24/7. And everyone of them had a screen in the managers office and could click any camera at any time and watch.
Eatslikeacat on 21/07/2022 - 17:25

+1

It's very sad that people feel the need to steal from supermarkets. What's so valuable to steal? Shampoo?

I was at some Woolies earlier this year, out west I think, and there was all this commotion and shouting. This lady was pushing out a trolley load of goods and the security guard was trying to stand in her way. The checkout person then said that they were serial shoplifters but the police don't do anything.

The thieves know that the security guards aren't allowed to touch them (which is why the security guard had to use his body to try to block their way). Even the staff aren't allowed to touch the bag when checking bags. I guess it's too much liability risk for Woolies.

I once saw all this commotion at JB Hi-Fi. Some guy snatched a Macbook and ran out of the store. The security guard also tried to use his body to block the escape. He said later that he's not allowed to physically touch the thief.

Who cares how many cameras there are if the police don't do anything about it. Those repeat offenders were brazen about it because they could get away with it.

In my experience with the police it really is hit and miss. I don't trust the police anymore and I believe the saying low level crime not worth their time To be clear this post expresses my opinions only and is not to be taken to be making statements of fact.
- Soluble on 21/07/2022 - 18:43
  
  +1
  
  I've lost more money giving the police the footage of the thieves(time and usb drives) than I've lost in stock.
  
  Over the last 5 years I've given them names and addresses of every thief I've reported and only 1 has been arrested out of 30+. (That one was on a rampage and was bound to get caught) I don't report a theft unless I have all the details of the thief.
  
  Fortunately, they know if they steal from the big guys, they can't touch them. The little guy can.
- Richmond Tigers on 22/07/2022 - 11:20
  
  What's so valuable to steal? Shampoo?
  
  A lot of small things can add up to a decent saving. I remember working at woolies like 15 years ago and people would steal things like razor blades, batteries, cosmetics, baby items, small goods etc.
  
  These days add in phone accessories and USB's.
  
  Too suggest shampoo is the most expensive thing people would steal from woolies is just stupid. A couple deep pockets and you could walk out with $100+ of batteries.
- hasher22 on 27/07/2022 - 23:03
  
  I had a similar experience, waiting in the self-serve and this older man was yelling and screaming (he was on something or he wasn't all there), he had half a trolley worth of stuff and I had my earbuds in and couldn't hear a thing.
  
  Next thing you know it, I was pushed from his trolley and I turn around to see him yelling and going all slightly crazy saying "F U!", "GET OUT OF MY WAY!" "LINE IS TOO LONG, YOU CALL THIS CUSTOMER SERVICE!?"
  
  The self-serve attendant was an older lady and she was upfront and said something like "get to the back of the line" but he kept on pushing and walked out like nothing happened. No one stopped him or anything. But I understand it's easier to let those people go than face some type of lawsuit.
thatonethere on 21/07/2022 - 18:44

Sometimes they leave the old CCTV system up on the ceiling as it is too expensive (or they forgot to cost removal).
lamparnon77 on 22/07/2022 - 00:26

It depends! My friend had a small foodstore and had a fake camera installed facing towards the drinks fridge and it really deterred theft. I would imagine Coles would have real ones but not sure.
iCandy on 22/07/2022 - 09:05

+1

When I was a kid, my evil 1 year older sister, like the devil on your shoulder, talked me into stealing a packet of chewing gum from Coles. Her soothing voice told me to do it, that no one was watching and I could enjoy the gum later. After grabbing a packet and shoving it down the front of my school uniform, the devil then asked, “Do you see all of those black things in the roof? They’re cameras.” Yes I really was that gullible.

Spoiler: they were sprinklers but I never stole again.
Muffinman01 on 22/07/2022 - 09:18

+3

I used to work at a Coles, and they had a mixture. They had a number of dummy ones, but also a number of real ones. It was a bit random which were which, but all of the fake ones were just styrofoam under the dome covering.

In the office out the back, there was a screen with all of the cameras playing in real time, but there was no one sitting there actively monitoring that. It was mostly used if there were instances of theft (of which there were more than you'd think!).

I can't comment on whether or not this was common practice for all stores, and it's also 10+ years since I worked there, so no doubt a lot has changed!
- b0rnwithabeard on 22/07/2022 - 14:00
  
  +1
  
  yeah i came here to say the same thing - usually they’re real at registers, the entrances and at high value aisles, but mostly fake in other spots. We also had a room downstairs that had a bunch of monitors but nobody was ever in charge of watching them
- hasher22 on 27/07/2022 - 22:54
  
  I thought the same thing, half real, half dummies.
  
  I used to work for a few retailers and one store had all fake cameras and one of them was all real. But people only check it if an incident happens, such as an accident or theft or whatever.
  
  But with so many people stealing now (well from media news anyways), how are coles and/or woolies know who is stealing what, at what time? I mean, if someone steals a lollipop, or someone opens a can to drink and doesn't pay, who are the employees to whistle out if they don't know they stole in the first place?
  
  Stock take? Oh 2 lollipops have gone missing, lets check the cameras?
Chris Topher on 22/07/2022 - 18:31

Re: Cabling

During construction cabling or pull-through strings may have been laid in the 'ceiling" for future use..
Vote for Pedro on 31/07/2022 - 14:02

Back in the day it was a mix of real and dummy. Now given the cost is less prohibitive my guess is they are all real. I mean, they have a camera in every self serve register

Are All "Security Cameras" in Stores Real?

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