Remote video monitoring and license requirements February 20, 2012

February 20, 2012

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Question

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Hi Ken,

I hope you can answer this question for me. If a security guard is monitoring security cameras for a business from a remote location, is there any license or liability issues if he calls the authorities to report a crime in progress. For example, if the security guard is in a Florida location, but is monitoring security cameras of a business located in another state where he witnesses someone vandalizing property is there any problem with him contacting the local authorities for the municipality where the vandalism is occurring? I realize that some municipalities have license requirements for central monitoring stations that monitor for alarm signals, but I am not aware of any such requirements for security guards monitoring security cameras remotely. Can the guard call the same dispatch number that a central monitoring station would call?

Regards,

Brad B

Boca Raton, FL

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Answer

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I doubt that the term "monitoring" is so narrowly construed that it includes digital or VoIP transmission of an alarm signal to a central station operator but excludes a guard sitting at a consul watching a video feed and reporting an emergency condition or illegal activity. Of course there may be exclusions that permit an end user to monitor its own cameras, even remotely from another state, and then report a condition. So a business for example with a centralized monitoring facility may be excluded from monitoring license requirements.

However, a monitoring center that uses "guards" instead of "operators" to monitor video feed is likely going to have to comply with state and local monitoring license and registration requirements.

For a more thorough [and professional] answer you should contact my firm's alarm licensing department so that this question can be researched. Contact Jennifer Kirschenbaum,Esq., at Jennifer@KirschenbaumEsq.com or 516 747 6700 ext 302.

You can also check alarm licensing laws at https://www.kirschenbaumesq.com/alarmlicreqstate.htm

Also noteworthy is that video monitoring should be performed only pursuant to proper contract. Use the Standard CCTV Sales, which includes video monitoring. Call our Contract Administrator, Eileen at ext 312 for more information.