VirtualGuard aims to put security guards, guard dogs and patrols out of work

When it comes to protecting millions of dollars worth of inventory, Owen Devir doesn’t think much of security guards, patrols and guard dogs.

The first are too costly. Any smart thief knows how to dodge a patrol. And as for dogs, he says a smart thief will just throw them a steak laced with a tranquilizer and they’re out of it, leaving the thief plenty of time to drive off with the best of a dealer’s inventory.

Devir is account executive for Virtual Guard. Virtual Guard specializes in video surveillance.

He says his company has the answer for securing dealership premises and inventory after hours: audio/video monitoring.

Virtual Guard’s cameras, stationed strategically, click on when the dealership is closed and stay on the lookout for intruders or trespassers until the dealership reopens. A virtual security guard is what he calls it.

“If a person or car enters a predetermined area, our guards are notified by a video alarm and a live image of what’s going on.”

Then he says “They politely ask the intruder to leave. If they don’t leave or if they see the person is up to no good, they call the police.”

The intruder will hear them making the call, he says. But there are few police calls.

“Generally, when they hear the audio, they turn around and leave. Very seldom, do we have to call the police.”

The cost is 80 per cent less than a guard and much less than patrols with dogs. Besides, Virtual Guard’s cameras cover as much ground and are more effective, he says

“What we are most proud of is that in five years, there have been no thefts under our watch,” says Devir.

First of all, the company does an audit of the dealership surveillance equipment to see it’s compatible with the Virtual Guard cameras and his company does the installation. If the system is not compatible, or the dealership has no surveillance system, his company hires a local contractor to install a system with the Virtual Guard cameras.

“We put them in at the best vantage points. It oversees the perimeter and it’s not subject to weather or power failures. There are no false alarms and the system can be bypassed.”

Other than start-up installation costs, monitoring costs are $1,000 a month.

He says his company can monitor dealerships across Canada and has been doing surveillance work in the Toronto area for over 15 years. Bilingual service is available.     

    For more information, contact Owen Devir, 1-888-435-3533. owen@virtualguard.com or visit www.virtualguard.com.