Keeping retail employees safe with the VT100 body camera
With violence against retail workers on the rise, take a proactive approach to prevention, de-escalation, and documentation.
2020 showed us just how essential grocery and other retail workers are to society. Yet, as the COVID-19 pandemic progressed, hostility and violence against these frontline workers became more and more common. Workers were verbally and physically assaulted and even shot -- all for trying to do their jobs.
Check out this article: Who’s Enforcing Mask Rules? Often Retail Workers, and They’re Getting Hurt
Creating a safe working environment for these essential workers was always a priority, but it is even more important now to take concrete steps to ensure their safety. That’s where the VT100 Body-Worn Camera comes in. Body cams are no longer only for law enforcement. They can be a valuable tool in helping frontline workers feel safe and comfortable going to work each day.
How does the VT100 body camera work?
The VT100 is a simplified version of the body cameras used by law enforcement. It’s meant to be easy to use and integrate seamlessly with daily retail operations.
Slim and lightweight, the VT100 is comfortably worn on the uniform of a store employee. It can even be customized with a company logo or employee name and used as a substitute for a nametag.
The camera is easily activated at the push of a button. If a staff member feels threatened, they can press record, and a live video stream will instantly be shared with the security team so they can assess the situation and respond accordingly.
Any video footage is securely offloaded to Motorola Solutions' VideoManager, where incidents can be stored, shared, and managed centrally. The VT100 can also be easily integrated with your fixed CCTV system so that you can document incidents even further.
What are the benefits of the VT100?
Prevention
The very act of wearing a body cam works as a deterrent against aggression and violence. It improves how staff and the public conduct themselves during conflict, reducing the likelihood of incidents escalating to assaults.
Swift response
Because the VT100 alerts the security team whenever it is activated, it is easy to coordinate a timely response so that confrontations can quickly be addressed and de-escalated.
Employee and employer peace-of-mind
Retail team members who don’t feel safe at work tend to leave the company, utilize employer healthcare services at a higher rate, or bring insurance and legal claims against the employer when a safety incident occurs. The VT100 allows workers to feel protected and shows them that their employer cares about their safety and well-being.
Indisputable evidence
When an incident occurs, the VT100 provides high-quality video of exactly what happened. This footage can be provided to police or used in court as irrefutable evidence of the scene.
See a full list of specifications and read more about VT100 body-worn cameras.
For more resources on preventing workplace violence, read this article from the CDC.
If you are looking for a commercial-use body camera with even more features, try the VB400.
