Dal Realty

Dal Realty Management Corp., a family-run property management company based in Brooklyn, New York, oversees 18 properties, including 4-story residential walkups with a high percentage of Section 8 housing and one small commercial building. With a commitment to the safety and welfare of tenants, staff, and properties, Dal Realty sought a modern solution to address longstanding security challenges.

The Challenge

As the Owner and Managing Partner, Santo Dalmazio faced significant obstacles with their outdated camera systems. These included rising insurance premiums, inadequate video retention, and difficulties supporting incident investigations and NYPD requests.

“Security has always been an issue. Our insurance rates were increasing year-to-year and we've always had issues with slip-and-falls, criminal activity, and difficulty supporting incident investigations and NYPD.” 

Key limitations of their previous systems included:

• Disjointed Systems: Multiple providers with incompatible systems across properties.

• Insufficient Storage: Critical video evidence was often unavailable when needed for insurance or liability claims.

• Cumbersome Access: Limited software hampered video review, archiving, and sharing.

• Single Points of Failure: On-site storage devices were unreliable and vulnerable.

These challenges drove Santo to seek a scalable, integrated platform to improve operational efficiency and support Dal Realty’s goals.

Why Verkada?

“Verkada came along and we could get as much memory storage as we needed, quick access to video, no vulnerable DVR sitting there. We've covered all public areas with cameras, as well as roofs and basements. It was a no-brainer, we just jumped right in and have been happy ever since.”

After a free trial and demonstration, Santo transitioned Dal Realty to Verkada’s cloud-based solution. The deployment included:

• 302 internal and external cameras

• Verkada Command: Cloud-based software for centralized management with facial recognition.

• Dedicated Viewing Station: Installed at Dal Realty’s office for quick access to live and archived footage.

• Mobile App: Enabling secure remote monitoring and management.

Scalable Hybrid Cloud Storage

“Our loss runs greatly affect our insurance premiums and so we implemented cameras many years ago. Memory was always an issue – whenever we would get an attorney letter, it would be 6-12 months after the incident. At that point there was no video evidence and our insurance company would end up paying out more.” 

Verkada cameras utilize a hybrid cloud approach. Each camera has a built-in local storage that can retain up to 365 days of video. In the event of an internet outage or connection loss, users receive a real-time alert: each camera's local storage still functions, and data can be recalled manually or downloaded once a connection is restored. 

Now Dal Realty has greater control over their security footage, with a storage capability that can easily expand with their organization. In addition to scaling across multiple properties, Dal Realty can better manage insurance costs and support compliance across a variety of business processes.

Remote Access & Ease of Use

“Verkada solves our data access and sharing problem. We can jump back a year, six months, or a few minutes in a matter of seconds. We can grant others quick access, including our attorneys, insurance companies, and the NYPD. The system solves all our needs for archiving, downloading video, and viewing live video.”

Verkada’s cloud-based management software provides a seamless and efficient way to manage security across all properties. Santo Dalmazio can quickly view, playback, and archive video footage from the dedicated viewing station or access it remotely via the mobile app. Sharing live or archived footage is effortless, with links easily sent via SMS or email.

A comprehensive suite of tools simplifies incident resolution, improves collaboration with third parties, and gives Dal Realty the confidence to handle security matters with ease and precision:

• Watermarked Footage: Each video includes a timestamp, camera ID, and location to show authenticity and accuracy for legal or insurance purposes.

• Digital Zoom: Enables detailed investigations, supporting the ability to resolve incidents effectively.

• People Analytics and AI-Powered Search Tools: Accelerates investigations and enhances overall security.

Seamless Integration & Mobile Management

“I recommend the free trial to everyone – they sent us a unit and we had it plugged in and working in seconds, it was simple and seamless to use these cameras. In the two years we've had the Verkada system, they've upgraded everything automatically and they've built additional solutions. The mobile app is an extension of the desktop app and solves all our needs.” 

Verkada’s plug-and-play cameras are designed for swift deployment, coming online in just minutes. The intuitive software eliminates operational complexity—no specialized training is required. Centralized management makes it easy to access all features from a single platform, while the mobile app mirrors the desktop experience, enabling secure access and control from anywhere.

Key advantages include:

• Ease of Use: Accessing video, sharing footage, and managing settings are straightforward and require minimal effort.

• Scalability: The system is built to grow with businesses like Dal Realty, supporting thousands of cameras and a broad range of integrated solutions, including access control, environmental sensors, alarms, and guest management.

• Comprehensive Support: Verkada eliminates the need for a maintenance contract, providing 24/7 live technical support at no additional cost.

Transparent pricing and a low total cost of ownership make Verkada a practical choice for Dal Realty. Flexible license options (1, 3, 5, or 10 years) fit varying business needs, and the 10-year hardware warranties provide lasting value. Automatic firmware and software updates provide the latest features and security enhancements, while 24/7 technical support is available to address any questions or issues, keeping the system running smoothly.

What's Next for Dal Realty

Whether monitoring daily operations, investigating incidents with legal and insurance partners, or collaborating with law enforcement to safeguard tenants, staff, and properties, Santo is confident in Verkada’s ability to meet his business needs. The integrated, cost-effective platform has streamlined operations and delivered consistent performance across all 18 Dal Realty locations.

Santo sees even greater potential in expanding the deployment with Verkada, building on the success they’ve already achieved:

“I'm very happy with our decision – Verkada met all our needs and checked every box. For us as a family business, cost is a major issue and we were able to control and reduce insurance costs with Verkada. We're about to implement Verkada's air quality sensors in all our heating plants and boiler rooms, add alarms, and more.”

As Dal Realty continues to grow, Santo is eager to explore more capabilities within the Verkada ecosystem to enhance safety, efficiency, and tenant satisfaction further.