Cameras provide security for UCLA stores

Wednesday, February 17, 1999

Cameras provide security for UCLA stores

SURVEILLANCE: Groups use technology to keep employees, money
safe

By George Fujii

Daily Bruin Contributor

Cameras have become regular components of many UCLA departments’
security systems as an added measure to protect cash and material
goods.

Departments such as parking services, the administrative
cashier’s office, the central ticket office and the UCLA Store use
security cameras to monitor visitors and employees.

At parking services, two security cameras scan the customer
lobby, while each employee entrance is equipped with a large
security camera and card key scanner. In addition, each of the
Parking Services booths are equipped with security cameras.

Normally, the security cameras on the employee entrances are
hidden from view. However, the construction of the Westwood Plaza
office building next to parking services, has forced visitors to
walk past the cameras.

"All of those cameras are there so that they can monitor who is
allowed into the building," said Gary Streaty, manager of
facilities maintenance and construction for parking services.

The cameras on the parking services building have been there
over 10 years, according to Gordon Anderson, parking services’
compliance coordinator.

The cameras on the 15 parking services kiosks were added about
three years ago, Streaty said.

He added that the cameras were designed to increase the security
of the employees and other people inside the building, not to
monitor employees.

"They (the cameras) are all about the security of the people and
the areas being served," Streaty said.

Each of the cameras is connected to a VCR with a long-record
tape. The cameras are not monitored in real time, Streaty said.

Anderson added that the cameras are needed because parking
services handles a large amount of cash.

Other areas on campus which handle cash, such as the central
ticket office and the administrative cashier’s office in Murphy
Hall, have security cameras, Anderson said.

Another campus location with security cameras is the UCLA Store
in Ackerman Union. The Ackerman store has 54 security cameras on
the A-level, said Gene Robinson, manager of security and loss
prevention for the students’ association.

Robinson said the cameras are to prevent shoplifting and
employee theft, and to monitor the premises.

"The majority of theft is by employees," Robinson said. He added
that employees have been caught stealing on camera.

The store’s camera system was not originally designed to monitor
employees. The cameras are also used for insurance claims due to
injuries that occur in the store.

Most other ASUCLA stores, including the Hilltop and North Campus
stores, as well as the off-campus store at Universal Citywalk, also
have security cameras, Robinson said.

The current camera system in Ackerman was installed during the
building remodel in 1996. Prior to the remodel, a less
sophisticated system with fewer cameras existed in the Ackerman
store.

University policy requires increasingly sophisticated safes and
alarm systems with increasing amounts of cash, although security
cameras are not required, according to Diane Kahyai, an auditor for
the university.

She added that departments may add security cameras to increase
employee safety.GREG HOM

A newly installed security camera inside parking structure 8

is one of many surveillance cameras around campus.

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