The Salvation Army, Florida Division
Key Metrics:
685 cameras deployed across over 47 Salvation Army Florida Division sites, with rapid expansion.
Improved investigation times: Verkada’s platform helped reduce footage retrieval times from hours to minutes, providing crucial evidence for legal cases.
Enhanced site safety: Implemented access control at 9 sites and alarms at 6 locations, improving safety and restricting access to high-risk areas.
Background
For over 35 years, Steve Camsey has dedicated his career to the Salvation Army, strengthening the security and safety of its Florida Division's 47+ locations. Each year, the Florida Division provides over 182,000 nights of shelter for men, women, and children, alongside critical services like emergency housing, homeless shelters, and transitional living centers. In his role as Network Administrator, Steve has one clear priority: safeguarding the lives of staff, volunteers, and those in need.
Challenges and Objectives
By late 2020, Steve realized the need for standardization across the Salvation Army's security systems. "We had different security systems at every location, and whenever something went wrong, IT was expected to fix it. It was chaotic," Steve explains. Determined to unify and modernize their approach, he sought a solution that would simplify security management across all locations and improve response times during incidents.
Key Challenges:
Disparate security systems across various locations.
Lack of centralized control and monitoring.
High reliance on external security techs for troubleshooting.
Delayed response times and difficulty retrieving footage.
The Solution: Verkada’s Cloud-Based Security System
Verkada emerged as the clear solution when Steve was introduced to the platform through one of the site administrators. "After a quick call and demo, I received five cameras to trial. The installation was straightforward, and the dashboard made troubleshooting a breeze. Within weeks, I was convinced this was the right solution for us," Steve recalls.
Why Verkada?
Ease of Installation: Steve found Verkada’s cameras simple to install, significantly reducing the time required for setup.
Centralized Dashboard: The Verkada Command platform provided a single interface for monitoring and troubleshooting across multiple locations.
Cloud-Based Flexibility: No more reliance on DVR/NVR systems—Steve could access footage and manage systems remotely.
Deployment and Expansion
Since the initial trial, the Salvation Army Florida Division has deployed 685 Verkada cameras across 47+ sites, along with access control systems at 9 sites and alarm systems at 6 sites. This number continues to grow as Steve’s team expands the security infrastructure.
Steve’s Role in Deployment:
Configuring networks to support Verkada’s cameras and access control.
Overseeing installations across sites and ensuring seamless integration.
Managing user access, licensing, and troubleshooting directly through the Command dashboard.
"With Verkada, I can support all of our sites remotely, manage everything from user access to footage retrieval, and troubleshoot any issues instantly," Steve says. This level of control was previously unattainable with the older, fragmented systems.
Real-World Impact and Results
Verkada’s solutions have had a profound impact on both day-to-day operations and critical incident response at the Salvation Army, Florida Division. The security system has proven invaluable in several legal cases where camera footage exonerated the organization from false claims.
Key Incidents:
Vehicular Accident: Clear footage showed a driver distracted by a cellphone, proving the Salvation Army was not at fault.
Arson Incident: Despite two cameras melting in a fire, a third camera captured the suspect in the act, providing crucial evidence for law enforcement.
Slip and Fall Claims: Verkada footage helped verify the condition of an area marked as unsafe, preventing fraudulent legal claims.
Beyond legal matters, Verkada’s access control system has allowed Steve to restrict access to high-risk areas, maintaining safety for both employees and residents at the shelters.
Enhanced Safety Measures
With Verkada’s access control, the Salvation Army Florida Division has implemented stronger safeguards for its facilities. By restricting access to sensitive areas, staff can focus on protecting vulnerable populations and maintaining a secure environment for all.
Additionally, the integration of panic buttons in high-risk areas has given staff an extra layer of security, allowing them to discreetly alert authorities during escalating situations.
Looking Ahead with Verkada
The partnership between the Salvation Army Florida Division and Verkada continues to expand. "We went from five trial cameras to nearly 1,000 cameras in just a few years. Verkada’s ease of use, reliability, and top-tier support have made it a complete solution for us," Steve says. With projects ongoing and new sites adopting Verkada technology, Steve remains excited about the future and the continuous improvements Verkada offers.
Conclusion
Verkada has transformed the Salvation Army’s approach to security in Florida, enabling Steve and his team to maintain a secure environment for the most vulnerable, while streamlining operations across multiple locations. "Verkada has made a real difference for us. I look forward to seeing how their new products and features will continue to improve security across all of our locations."