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Live video monitoring for smoke and vape shops
Overnight smash-and-grabs are over in seconds. With live monitoring, someone sees it happen and calls you right away, instead of you finding broken glass at opening time.
The risk
What goes wrong at smoke and vape shops
Local news across the country tells the same story: thieves smash the front glass at night, empty the vape and THC cases, and leave before an alarm company calls back. Recorded footage helps afterwards. Live eyes mean someone is on the phone to you while it is still happening.
smash-and-grab burglaries at smoke shops in six months, according to Colorado Springs police (2025).
Source: KOAA News 5for one October 2025 smoke shop burglary in Margate, Florida, as reported locally.
Source: Hoodlineof THC flower taken in a single hammer break-in at a Raleigh shop in July 2026.
Source: HoodlineThere is no national statistic for smoke shop crime. These are dated local reports that show a common pattern.
The camera views that matter most
During setup we agree which of your existing views get the closest attention. These are the ones we usually start with.
- Storefront glass and doorFrom inside and outside
- Display casesEvery case, not just the counter
- RegisterCash handling and ID checks
- Parking spaces out frontVehicles used to ram or wait
- Back doorThe quiet way in
- StockroomWhere backup stock sits
What we see, and call you about
- Vehicles lingering outside at night
- People with tools approaching the glass
- A break-in in progress
- Repeated “casing” visits before a burglary
- Shoplifting from open displays
- Cash handling by staff
From your camera to your phone
The same four steps, every time something goes wrong.
Seen live
The operator spots the problem on your camera as it happens.
You get a call
We call you or the first person on your list, right away.
We keep watching
We stay on the cameras and follow the instructions you set.
Clip and report
You get the clip, snapshots and a short report.
Answers
What live monitoring can and can’t do
We can
- Call you the moment glass breaks or someone gets in
- Record vehicle details and the direction they leave
- Document what was taken for police and insurance
We can’t
- Stop a 30-second grab on our own. Physical barriers still matter
- Check IDs. That stays with your clerk
Pair monitoring with physical hardening. A 30-second grab is hard to stop from anywhere. What works: Bollards or heavy planters in front of glass doors; security film on storefront glass; locked display cases; empty the most valuable cases overnight; light the storefront and post “live monitored” signs.
Privacy and compliance
Not legal advice. Have your counsel confirm the rules that apply to your site.
- Audio stays off by default. About a dozen states require every party to consent to audio recording, so we only listen where your state allows it and your signs say so.
- Federal law has set the minimum age for tobacco and vape sales at 21 since December 20, 2019. Cameras support your ID checks; they don't replace them.
- If you sell licensed cannabis, your state may require specific camera coverage and retention. Check your license conditions.
Recommended hours for smoke & vape shops
Night Watch is the core need for most shops. Choose Full Watch if you also worry about daytime robbery or theft.
Night Watch
Night only
$199/ month
Per location, after a 7-day free trial
Overnight coverage, set around your closing time. For sites that are busy and staffed by day.
- Live operator on your cameras
- Alarm response calls to your contacts
- Cash office monitoring in covered hours
- Clips and hourly reports on request
- Works with your existing DVR/NVR
Full Watch
24/7, every day
$299/ month
Per location, after a 7-day free trial
Every hour of every day, weekends and holidays included. For sites that never close.
- Live operator on your cameras
- Alarm response calls to your contacts
- Cash office monitoring in covered hours
- Clips and hourly reports on request
- Works with your existing DVR/NVR
Compared with a guard: a 12-hour guard post at a typical $25 an hour costs about $9,125 a month. Night Watch is $199. Run your own numbers
All three plans are available for every site. Compare Night, Extended and Full Watch
Smoke & vape shops: common questions
Thieves are in and out in under a minute. Does live monitoring help?
It means someone is calling you right away instead of you finding out at opening. Pair it with physical hardening such as bollards, security film and locked cases.
Can you watch my glass cases overnight?
Yes, if cameras cover them. During setup we suggest angles that show the cases and the storefront together.
Do you call the police directly?
We follow the call list and instructions you set during setup, and we agree with you how police contact works for your shop.
Do I need new equipment?
No. We use your existing cameras and recorder.
Can I try it first?
Yes. Every plan starts with a 7-day free trial.
Sources (8)
- KOAA News 5 (2025), Colorado Springs smoke-shop smash-and-grab burglaries. koaa.com/news/covering-colorado/vape-store-involved-in-overnight-sm…
- Local 10 News (Oct 14, 2025), two Broward smoke shops burglarized. local10.com/news/local/2025/10/14/police-front-windows-of-2-broward…
- Hoodline (Oct 2025), smash-and-grab burglaries at Broward County smoke shops. hoodline.com/2025/10/spate-of-smash-and-grab-robberies-strikes-brow…
- ABC7 Chicago (Jul 23, 2024), Lincoln Park vape shop burglary. abc7chicago.com/post/chicago-police-investigating-smash-grab-burgla…
- FOX Carolina (May 8, 2025), Spartanburg vape-store burglaries. foxcarolina.com/2025/05/08/only-fox-spartanburg-police-investigatin…
- Hoodline (Jul 2026), Raleigh vape shop break-in. hoodline.com/2026/07/hammer-wielding-thief-rips-off-raleigh-vape-sh…
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Tobacco 21. fda.gov/tobacco-products/retail-sales-tobacco-products/tobacco-21
- Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, recording laws by state. rcfp.org/introduction-to-reporters-recording-guide/
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Start your free 7-day trial
Tell us about your site. We connect to your cameras remotely, agree the hours and the call list, and start watching.
- Call or text+1 (801) 215-9361
- WhatsApp+92 310 8380207
- CoverageAnywhere in the United States