What Is a Lot Cop and Can it Protect My Property?

Lot Cop is a mobile surveillance trailer made by Live View Technologies, a Utah-based security system provider. In early 2020, when the pandemic started, the need for security guards and security camera systems skyrocketed. In North America, Lot Cops and other rapid deployment security camera systems began popping up at Walmart, Costco, and other commercial properties.

This post will walk you through how a typical mobile surveillance trailer, like Lot Cop, operates. It will also outline some of the pros and cons of mobile security camera systems and alternatives to help you determine if it is the right solution for your security problem.

Since Lot Cop is a specific name brand, further information about how it works would be better explained by directly reaching out to Live View Technologies.

However, most mobile surveillance trailers work the same way as Lot Cop. They are security camera systems built into a trailer so they can easily be moved around to various locations for rapid deployment.

Security cameras are mounted to a retractable or extendable post or mast that is attached to the trailer. The cameras are hardwired to a recording device, either a network video recorder or digital video recorder (NVR or DVR) and all the video is recorded locally. A high-speed cellular modem allows the security cameras to be viewed remotely over the internet. If a siren or strobe is installed, users can trigger an alarm onsite when an intruder is detected. Alternatively, you can perform a voice down with a speaker and ask people to leave.

Lot Cop and other mobile surveillance trailers can be plugged in or powered through solar panels. Depending on where you are in the world, some areas are better suited for solar power than others. The larger the mobile surveillance trailer, the more solar panels and batteries will fit, providing more reliable power. More batteries mean more uptime when there is no sun. Whenever possible, constant power is always preferred over solar power for security cameras.

• High-Definition Security Cameras
• Video Recorder
• High-Speed Cellular Modem
• Siren and Strobe Light
• Solar Panels
• Batteries

There are two alternatives to a Lot Cop or similar mobile surveillance trailer if you have power.

• Permanent Security Camera Systems that are hardwired to your building, parking lot light posts, or any other structure with power and a surface you can mount them to. The benefit of a permanent security camera system is that you are not paying rental fees. You can choose from a wider range of security cameras. They are more reliable and will cover more area depending on where they are mounted. With a permanent security camera solution, you can add as many cameras as you need, expand it to various areas and locations of your business, and own the equipment.

• Wall or Pole Mounted Rapid Deployment Security Camera Systems are all-in-one solutions. These units can be mounted to an outdoor NEMA box enclosure that can quickly be deployed to any commercial property or construction site. Like a Lot Cop mobile surveillance trailer, rapid deployment security camera systems have everything built into a 50 lb box with 4-6 cameras, a recorder, cellular internet, and sirens/strobes. They can be easily strapped to a post or temporary structure and be up and running quickly. They typically have temporary poles and streetlights available for mounting. Construction Site Security is an excellent example of where these rapid deployment systems are installed.

Lot Cop or any other mobile surveillance trailer is perfect for any property that requires security cameras installed quickly. Since it is on a trailer, the security camera system can be towed to any location and quickly set up. This solution is also perfect for locations that do not have power, as most of them come with built-in solar panels.

Mobile Surveillance Trailers Are Perfect For:

• Empty land that needs to be watched remotely but lacks power
• Vacant land that has temporary power but no structure or poles to mount cameras to
• Construction sites that require security but do not have power
• Abandoned buildings or structures that do not have power
• Any situation that requires a fast turnaround to have cameras installed and monitored

However, renting a Lot Cop or mobile surveillance trailer can get expensive. Further, suppose the system is only powered by solar panels. In that case, you need to make sure that it will provide enough power to keep the system running during non-sunny days. Even a cloudy day will significantly impact the amount of power generated by solar panels. So, ensure you ask the provider to show you the number of guaranteed days the system can run. Also, due to power consumption restraints, the number of cameras you can install may be limited. The more cameras you add, the more power is required.