In August 2023, a new shelter being built in Kansas City for homeless mothers and their children fell victim to vandals.
The extent of the damage was $50,000. Even worse, the break-in prolonged the completion of the shelter by weeks, delaying aid and shelter to many families in need. It was crime that rattled residents—including the team here at Titan, who call Kansas City home—and made headline news:
Click here to see the video on KMBC 9 News.
One would like to think that even the most heartless of criminals would spare organizations such as Healing House (which owns Erin's House along with several other recovery homes). Sadly, it's often just the opposite. Many charitable non-profits operate under the strictest of budgets and having a security system in place often takes a back seat to more pressing budgetary needs, which makes them more vulnerable to an intrusion.
The fact is professional security IS a pressing need. Property damage, work stoppages, and raised insurance premiums are just some of the hardships a company will face after a crime occurs, and not every non-profit can survive those unexpected expenditures.
So how can a charitable organization protect itself while continuing its mission to protect others?
Mobile surveillance towers – an effective, affordable solution
One security option that has grown in popularity recently is a mobile surveillance tower system, which is made up of portable units that are equipped with cameras, sensors and speakers. And many of these systems, like Titan's Virtual Guard, are watched over by a trained team of video monitoring professionals, similar to permanent installations but at a friendlier cost.
The effectiveness of mobile security towers was put to the test after the break-in at Erin's House. As a supporter of Healing House and a member of the Kansas City community, Titan donated its Virtual Guard services to help safeguard the property and protect those repairing and renovating the recovery house. The effects were immediate; within weeks of its installation, Virtual Guard's cameras detected and prevented three different potential break-ins. (You can read more about the break-in and Titan's response here.)
The benefits of mobile surveillance towers
A tight budget doesn't mean you should loosen your security standards. Here's why mobile towers might be the perfect solution for your charitable organization:
- Cost-savings: Mobile surveillance units are more affordable than fixed security systems but equally effective. And they are considerably less expensive than on-site guard services.
- Deterrence: The presence of a mobile security tower on your property should be enough to keep intruders away. If not, the lights, alarms and talk-down features certainly will!
- Rapid deployment: If you have immediate security needs, a mobile surveillance system can be deployed and installed within one or two days.
- Energy efficiency: If you're a non-profit, every dollar counts. Mobile security towers have solar-powered options, reducing energy costs (along with their environmental impact).
Get your free security consultation.
If you are a charitable organization in need of a flexible, adaptable and cost-effective security solution, we'd love to hear from you. Contact us today and a Titan sales team member will get back to you shortly!
