Mobile Surveillance Units vs. Fixed Cameras: Which is Right For You?

You’ve probably heard the old philosophical question: If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?  Imagine applying that logic to security: If a crime happens, but there’s no surveillance footage to prove it, did it really happen?

Of course it did. But without video, you’re left with questions, maybe a few scattered clues, and a whole lot of regret that you didn’t have eyes where you needed them. 

Unfortunately, it’s a common problem. Take the case of Jessica Heeringa, a gas station employee who vanished without a trace from a Michigan Exxon station in 2013. Her purse, keys, and other belongings were left behind, and blood was found near the back of the building, but there were no cameras on site to capture what happened. The lack of footage stalled the investigation for years.  It was such a failure of basic surveillance that one now-former State Representative proposed “Jessica’s Law,” requiring gas stations to install security cameras or have two overnight workers scheduled during a shift. 

Or consider the Brian Shaffer disappearance. Security cameras captured him walking into a bar in Columbus, Ohio, but not leaving. Around closing time, he was seen briefly chatting outside with two women, but then the footage shows him stepping off-camera and never reappearing. Some have speculated he may have slipped out through a rarely-used, unmonitored service door. Seventeen years later, the case remains unsolved.

If you don’t have cameras where you need them, you won’t have the visibility you need to deter crime or the evidence you need to pursue justice if something tragic occurs.

Sometimes you need a fixed view of entrances and high-traffic areas. Other times, you need coverage that can shift with your risks, your site layout, or your schedule. In this article, we’ll break down the pros and cons of fixed cameras vs. mobile surveillance units.

Fixed Cameras: Benefits and Use Cases

Fixed cameras are the go-to for permanent infrastructure. They’re designed to monitor specific, high-priority areas like entrances, loading docks, employee access points, high-traffic zones, or known hotspots for unwanted activity. 

LVT offers several fixed mounting options, all with built-in deterrent features like floodlights, strobe lights, and speakers. Plus, they run on cellular connectivity, so there’s no need to tap into your building’s internet or wiring. Options include: 

• Wall-mounted cameras: Mounted directly to buildings, these are perfect for entrances, walkways, loading docks, or alleys. They’re compact and ideal for tight spaces where a big, mobile security trailer isn’t feasible. 
• Extended wall mounts: Designed to support up to three cameras positioned as far as 328 feet (100 meters) away, these are ideal for covering long building exteriors where multiple mobile units would be impractical or impossible. 
• Pole-mounted cameras: Best for open spaces without nearby structures to mount to, like parking lots, perimeters, or remote areas where trailers might not fit, or would interfere with traffic or operations.

Where Fixed Cameras Fall Short

Fixed cameras have been the backbone of surveillance for decades. They are time-tested, foundational, and for many sites, absolutely essential. If you know where your risks are, and your infrastructure doesn’t change much, they’re a solid option. 

But flexible, they are not. Enter: mobile surveillance units. 

Mobile Surveillance Units: Benefits and Use Cases

Mobile surveillance units are fully self-contained security hubs. LVT’s mobile units boast high-resolution, solar-powered cameras, speakers, floodlights, and cellular connectivity. They don’t rely on existing infrastructure, and they can be deployed and repositioned quickly.

Here’s when and where they shine:

• Rapid deployment: Need eyes on a site immediately? You don’t have to wait for trenching, cabling, or permitting. Just roll in a unit, set it up (it takes less than an hour!), and you’re live. 
• Infrastructure-free zones: LVT’s mobile security solutions are solar powered, so they’re ideal for rural, off-grid, or developing sites where the power grid isn’t accessible. 
• Temporary or evolving risk: When you’re dealing with changing security needs, (think: new construction, parking overflow, temporary events, or seasonal crime patterns) mobile surveillance solutions give you flexibility that fixed cameras simply can’t match.

Where Mobile Security Trailers Fall Short 

Mobile surveillance units are built for flexibility, but they’re not the right fit for every environment.

These units are large—they stand over 22 feet tall and take up about the size of a parking stall. Their size is often a benefit (it sends a clear message that the site is monitored and protected), but can also be a challenge. You might not have the physical room to deploy a trailer, or it might interfere with vehicular and pedestrian flow. 

The Bottom Line

Fixed cameras and mobile surveillance units both have their strengths and limitations. Fixed cameras are a great fit for locations where activity is consistent and crime tends to follow predictable patterns. Mobile units are ideal when you need flexible, infrastructure-free coverage that can keep up with constantly changing needs.

The best choice depends on your site layout, security priorities, and how often those factors shift. In many cases, the smartest solution isn’t choosing one or the other—it’s using both. 

Fixed and Mobile Surveillance Solutions—LVT Has Both

Whether you're securing a single entrance or overseeing a large, dynamic site, the goal is the same: you need reliable coverage in the right places, at the right times. With LVT, you don’t have to choose between permanence and adaptability. We’ll help you build a custom surveillance strategy that fits your site, project, and security goals. 

Schedule a demo to get started.