Remote Surveillance Monitoring Services
Video surveillance alone does not stop crime—footage only documents what already happened. Real-time monitoring by a trained professional who watches your cameras and responds immediately to threats creates active security. Aquila’s monitoring center operates 24/7 to watch your cameras, detect suspicious activity, verify alarms, dispatch officers to your site, and contact police if necessary. Monitored systems also reduce police response times through verified reporting.
What This Service Includes
Aquila’s monitoring center integrates with your existing camera system or works with your preferred video provider. Remote operators watch your live feeds during business hours or around the clock, depending on your contract. When unusual activity is detected—loitering, attempted break-in, package theft, parking violations—the operator verifies the threat in real time, then initiates your response protocol: dispatching an Aquila officer, contacting you directly, or calling police with verified information about an active incident.
All video is recorded and retained. Monitored alarms (door sensors, motion detectors, glass-break sensors) are connected to our system and trigger instant operator review. When an alarm sounds, the operator views the camera feed, confirms whether the alarm is legitimate or false, and escalates appropriately. This verification layer prevents false police dispatch and speeds response to real emergencies. Monitored alarm systems also result in faster police response—officers prioritize confirmed alarms over unverified calls.
Our monitoring center can integrate standard IP cameras, DVR/NVR systems, and professional security camera networks. We support most major camera brands and can recommend integration if your existing system is incompatible. Monitoring includes real-time alerts sent to your phone, email, or desktop, giving you visibility even when you’re off-site.
When to Choose This Service
Remote monitoring is ideal for facilities that cannot justify 24/7 on-site security but need protection beyond static cameras. Retail stores, warehouses, office buildings, and apartment complexes benefit from professional watching and verified response. Monitoring is also cost-effective for multiple-location clients—one monitoring center watches cameras across many sites with far fewer staff than deploying officers everywhere.
If you have significant assets or operate during off-hours, monitoring adds a crucial layer. If your facility has existing cameras but no professional watching, monitoring service converts those cameras from passive recording to active security. Monitoring pairs well with mobile patrols or stationary officers—a patrol responds to verified threats faster when dispatch is informed by real-time video confirmation.
How Aquila Delivers
Hiring and vetting: Monitoring operators are recruited from security and law enforcement backgrounds and trained to remain calm under pressure and make critical judgments in seconds. All operators pass background checks and are tested for multitasking ability and situational awareness.
Training and licensing: Operators receive extensive training on alarm response protocols, threat identification, police dispatch procedures, and your facility-specific procedures. Each client’s system is memorized: camera locations, entry points, normal traffic patterns, and escalation triggers. Operators are certified and tested quarterly on new procedures and scenarios.
Supervision and reporting: Senior supervisors oversee all monitoring operations. Every alarm response is logged with timestamps, camera angles reviewed, and action taken. Monthly reports show alarm trends, false-alarm rates, and response performance. Supervisors also coordinate with your local police to share verified-alarm data and improve response coordination.
Technology: Our monitoring center uses professional-grade equipment with redundant systems ensuring 99.9% uptime. Cameras are monitored on multi-screen workstations with zoom and playback capability. Real-time alerts are sent via encrypted channels to your phone, email, or security app. Video recording is stored on secure servers with backup to prevent loss.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cameras can Aquila monitor?
We work with standard IP cameras, DVR and NVR systems, and professional security networks from most major manufacturers. If your cameras are networked and accessible remotely, we can likely integrate them. We recommend a site survey to confirm compatibility. If your system is outdated, we can recommend compatible cameras or help you upgrade.
How quickly does a monitoring operator respond to an alarm or alert?
Operators review all alarms within seconds of triggering. For verified threats, an officer is dispatched immediately or police are called directly. Response time to your site depends on officer location and traffic, but typically 5–15 minutes in our Pleasanton and Los Angeles service areas. Police response also improves—verified alarm calls receive higher priority than unverified calls.
Can monitoring officers dispatch Aquila officers to my site?
Yes. If you have monitoring as part of a broader security contract with Aquila, our monitoring center can dispatch officers directly when your cameras detect a threat. For clients with monitoring only, we can dispatch our officers if you’ve purchased patrol or response service, or we can contact your local police for public dispatch.
What happens if it’s a false alarm?
Operators are trained to distinguish false alarms from real threats through camera review. If an alarm is determined false—wind triggering a sensor, an employee moving through a secure area—the operator logs it as false and does not dispatch or call police. This reduces false-alarm fatigue and keeps your police dispatch record clean.
Can I watch my own cameras while Aquila is monitoring?
Absolutely. You maintain full access to your camera feeds at all times. Many clients watch during business hours and rely on Aquila monitoring during off-hours or when they’re not at the facility. Multi-user access means you, your manager, and Aquila operators can all view feeds simultaneously without conflict.