Camera systems for schools and the nonprofits that serve them.

Classrooms are usually left out. Cameras typically go in hallways, stairwells, main lobbies, cafeterias, gyms, exterior entries and common areas, not in classrooms or other places where students have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Rules differ for public, charter and private schools, so we always recommend getting sign-off on placement from your administration or counsel before installation. We flag anything that looks like a concern during the site walk.

Yes. We work with nonprofits using the New York State Securing Communities Against Hate Crimes (SCAHC) program funding and FEMA's Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP). Both have documentation requirements, such as vulnerability assessments, equipment specifications and itemized invoices that match approved line items. We provide scopes and invoices structured for grant reimbursement, and can align our site assessment with the vulnerability assessment your application used. Approval and reimbursement decisions rest with the grant program.

It is harder, but it is usually possible, and wired is the right call. Wi-Fi cameras are unreliable in schools: dense student devices, thick masonry and interference from neighboring buildings make wireless a liability. Wired PoE cameras run on Cat6 through EMT conduit, which can be surface-mounted in a pre-war building when concealed routing is not practical. We find pathways and work around existing infrastructure without tearing up the building.

Storage is sized for your retention target: 30 days is a common baseline, and 60 to 90 days suits organizations that handle sensitive incidents or have had prior security events. Access runs through the recorder's user permissions: you decide who has full admin access, who can view live only and who can export. We strongly recommend limiting export to two or three named administrators and documenting access in your internal policy. The recorder sits in a locked room, not on an open shelf.

Camera cabling is low-voltage work and does not need a DOB electrical permit. Every penetration we make through a fire-rated wall or floor is fire-stopped. DOE-owned buildings have their own approval process, and we confirm what applies during the proposal phase so it is settled before work starts.

Yes. We design each site's recorder independently, so local footage stays local, and set up remote viewing so your executive director or security coordinator can reach every site from one app. Installation can be phased across locations to match your budget cycle or grant disbursement schedule, and each site is documented the same way, so your facilities team is not dealing with five different setups.