From Blind Spots to Peace of Mind

Catholic beliefs and organizations are near and dear to ArcEye’s mission and purpose as a company. In fact, the name ArcEye calls on Saint Michael the Archangel and the Eye of God as ArcEye deploys its security expertise and covers all clients in prayer.

That makes ArcEye’s partnership with the Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg particularly impactful. For an organization serving people across shelters and housing communities, security is not abstract. Staff need to understand what they are walking into. Residents need confidence that their surroundings and belongings are being watched over. And when an incident occurs, teams need the ability to quickly determine what happened.

For Catholic Charities Diocese of St. Petersburg (CCDOSP), that visibility was inconsistent. Some locations had outdated cameras or minimal coverage. At certain shelters, coverage stopped at the building. Other locations relied on paid security, whose cost was rising while performance varied considerably.

Security Was Present. Visibility Wasn’t.

Across CCDOSP’s housing and shelter operations, the starting point was uneven. Leadership recalled having “a camera here or there” at some locations, while others described systems as outdated and minimal.

When Eric Marrero, Director of Tampa Hope, first worked with ArcEye, cameras were concentrated around the main administrative building. The outdoor areas where residents moved through the shelter property had little to no camera visibility.

“We were kind of blind in a lot of areas...we were struggling with seeing anything that would happen with any of the residents outside.”

— Eric Marrero, Director of Tampa Hope

That visibility became personal when Marrero’s own bicycle was stolen at the property. Without exterior camera coverage, the team had no footage to review and no practical way to identify who took it.

Operational Risks

• Overnight and lone staff could be forced to enter situations without visual context.
• Residents had limited confidence that missing belongings or disputes could be reviewed.
• Teams had fewer tools to support police, insurance claims, or investigations.
• Properties without staffed offices faced greater visibility gaps.

Designing Visibility Around the Property

ArcEye’s approach began with a simple question: where do teams need visibility most?

At Tampa Hope, ArcEye mapped proposed coverage on an aerial view of the site before installation, allowing leadership to review coverage areas and understand the system before equipment was deployed.

Rather than prescribing a solution, ArcEye worked backward from the shelter’s needs and recommended equipment and positioning based on those requirements.

“ArcEye’s people and service are what stand out the most. Everyone from the top down truly takes the time to listen and take everything we’re saying to heart. That said, the product quality also stands out. The level of detail and granularity is second to none.”

— Lou Ricardo, Director of Marketing & Donor Relations

Visibility Changed the Way People Felt and Worked

For CCDOSP, the most meaningful outcome was not simply the presence of more cameras. It was what visibility allowed people to do.

Staff could look before walking into uncertain situations. Residents had greater confidence that incidents could be reviewed and resolved with facts.

“The staff now has a sense of security that was missing before and an increased comfort in performing their duties.”

— Eric Marrero, Director of Tampa Hope

Residents also experienced greater peace of mind knowing their community was being monitored and that evidence would be available if incidents occurred.

“The residents also have peace of mind knowing that we now have their backs. And have increased comfort knowing that we’re able to provide ‘justice’ should anything occur.”

— Amber Jane Turenne, Marketing and Communications Manager

Visibility in Action

A Resident’s Vehicle Was Hit Inside the Gates

Tampa Hope was able to retrieve footage and provide visual evidence supporting the resident’s insurance claim.

A Shelter Guest’s Bag Was Stolen Near the Gate

CCDOSP reviewed the cameras immediately, tracked the incident, and provided accountability and clarity.

Police Needed Help Building a Timeline

Camera footage helped staff identify movements, establish timelines, and provide video evidence requested by law enforcement.

Security Through Visibility and a Partnership That Lasts

CCDOSP leaders consistently highlighted the people behind the technology. ArcEye listened, responded, and collaborated with site teams instead of applying a one-size-fits-all approach.

“ArcEye gave our residents that feeling of someone having your back, but it also gave our team the feeling of a great team having our backs as well.”

— Amber Jane Turenne, Marketing and Communications Manager

What began as a need for better cameras became a more dependable layer of operational security across all areas where CCDOSP serves.

Key Outcomes

• Fewer Low-Level Incidents: Leadership reported a decline in minor incidents as visible camera coverage increased.
• Better Incident Support: Footage can be accessed quickly to help staff, law enforcement, residents, and insurers.
• Reduced Security Burden: Less reliance on costly paid security while maintaining stronger coverage.
• Remote Eyes Where Staff Aren’t: Reliable camera systems provide visibility at locations without on-site offices.