diff --git a/camera_stream.py b/camera_stream.py
index d7c1bc7..2366602 100644
--- a/camera_stream.py
+++ b/camera_stream.py
@@ -208,6 +208,11 @@ def _process_stream(camera):
                 "fps": round(fps, 1)
             })
 
+        # --- 1 FPS RATE LIMIT ---
+        # ensures this specific camera thread only loops once per second
+        elapsed = time.time() - now
+        time.sleep(max(0, 1.0 - elapsed))
+
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
 # Grid View Generator
 # ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -293,6 +298,7 @@ def serve_alert_image(filename): return send_from_directory("alerts", filename)
 
 if __name__ == "__main__":
     for cam in CAMERAS: threading.Thread(target=_process_stream, args=(cam,), daemon=True).start()
+    time.sleep(1)
     threading.Thread(target=_update_grid_frame, daemon=True).start()
     print("\n  Grid View Dashboard → http://localhost:5000\n")
     app.run(host="0.0.0.0", port=5000, debug=False, threaded=True)