CBCGB Surveillance System Camera Policy

5/20/2012, Secretary, Church Council

1. Overview

In order to promote a safe and secure environment, CBCGB will be installing security cameras as part of its crime prevention strategy.  These cameras are meant to promote safety for our children's program and deter vandalism/theft on building property.  Because CBCGB respects the privacy of its community, this policy has been developed to ensure that the cameras are used judiciously.

2. Policy

Security cameras may be installed to govern security or placed where the security of property or personnel would be promoted.  Cameras will be limited to uses that do not violate the reasonable expectation of privacy as defined by law.  Cameras may be placed anywhere on CBCGB property, inside or outside buildings.  Camera function will generally fall into at least one of the following two main categories:

1. Property Protection: Where the main intent is to capture video and store it on a remote device so that if property is stolen or damaged, the video may be used to identify the perpetrator.  Examples may include the A/V room, the sanctuary, the offering box, the parking lot.

2. Personal Safety: Where the main intent is to capture video and store it on a remote device so that if persons at CBCGB are harassed or assaulted, the video may be used to identify the perpetrator.  Examples may include the parking lot, the Awana area, the nursery area.

3. Guidelines

The use and storage of video recordings will be strictly governed.

3. Recordings will be stored for no longer than one month.  Video that is older than one month will be automatically deleted by the security system software.  In the event that sections of the video need to be stored for beyond one month (e.g. a crime is committed and video needs to be saved as evidence), this must be explicitly approved by the BoE.

4. Information obtained from the cameras can be default only be viewed by the BoE.  Any other party that requires viewing of the video must receive express written consent from the BoE.  A record log will be kept for all instances of access to and use of recorded material.

5. Information obtained from the cameras shall be used exclusively for law and/or policy enforcement.  Personnel viewing the recordings are prohibited from using or disseminating the information except for official purposes.

6. Cameras will be installed in public areas.  Some cameras area (e.g. the library) may have restricted access, but these are not places where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy.  Cameras will not be used to monitor bathrooms or offices unless when needed for an "exceptional circumstance".

7. Cameras will not be used for the following purposes, unless deemed an "exceptional circumstance": evaluating individual performance, tracking attendees either for individual attendance or for metrics.

8. An "exceptional circumstance" may include a criminal investigation or surveillance, and such a circumstance must be approved by the BoE.