A logistics company operating a 3-acre yard in Mississauga was experiencing regular losses: catalytic converter thefts from parked trucks, cargo tampering, and one major trailer theft. Total losses in the prior year exceeded $220,000. Their existing system — unmonitored cameras and a part-time guard — wasn't cutting it.
The Problem with Unmonitored Cameras
They had 12 cameras recording to a DVR. The footage existed, but no one watched it until after an incident. By then, the thieves were gone, the footage was often too grainy to identify anyone, and the police report went nowhere. The cameras were evidence collectors, not prevention tools.
What We Installed
We replaced their 12 cameras with 16 commercial 4K units — including two PTZ cameras covering the full perimeter. A dedicated NVR with 60-day retention. Gate access control with driver card enrollment. And critically: live monitoring from 8 PM to 6 AM, seven days a week.
First Month Results
Three intrusion attempts in the first 30 days — all stopped in progress. Each time, the monitoring operator activated the two-way audio ("You are on private property. You are being recorded. Police have been dispatched."), and the intruders fled. On-site response by police was unnecessary in all three cases. The audio deterrent alone was enough.
One Year Later
Zero successful thefts. Zero cargo losses. Insurance premiums reduced by 18%. The total system cost (installation + 12 months of monitoring) was approximately $48,000. Against $220,000 in prior-year losses, that's a 4.6x return in year one alone.
The difference wasn't better cameras — it was having someone actually watching them.
