How a Southern Colorado Gas Station Cut Shoplifting With a Camera System

The Problem

A gas station in Southern Colorado was dealing with repeated theft and shoplifting. Items were going missing from shelves regularly, and the owner had no way to identify who was responsible or when the theft was occurring. Without cameras in place, there was no record of activity inside the store or around the property, making it nearly impossible to catch shoplifters or deter future incidents.

The Solution

Optimum Overwatch placed cameras throughout the store's aisles and corners. Specialized 360-degree cameras captured multiple views from a single camera, covering more of the floor with fewer devices. On the exterior, PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) cameras gave staff adjustable views they could control from inside the store, so coverage could change with whatever the owner needed to watch at the time. The system was designed around the specific layout and needs of the business, not a one-size-fits-all package.

The Result

After the camera system was installed, the owner caught shoplifters in the act using the recorded footage. The owner confronted the individuals, showed them the video evidence, and banned them from the property. Word spread quickly that the gas station now had cameras throughout the store, and theft dropped substantially. The owner gained peace of mind knowing that activity on the property was being recorded and could be reviewed at any time.

Equipment Used

• Uniview 32-channel network video recorder (NVR)
• Uniview 5MP cameras
• Uniview 12MP 360-degree cameras (interior)
• Uniview 5MP PTZ cameras (exterior)