diff --git a/dayglo_detector/dayglo_detector.py b/dayglo_detector/dayglo_detector.py
index d53d0ec..0601c0a 100644
--- a/dayglo_detector/dayglo_detector.py
+++ b/dayglo_detector/dayglo_detector.py
@@ -4,6 +4,7 @@ import json
 import requests
 import cv2
 import numpy as np
+import time
 import threading
 
 # Configuration from environment variables
@@ -16,24 +17,39 @@ MQTT_TOPIC_PUBLISH = 'homeassistant/sensor/dayglo_rating/state'
 FRIGATE_URL = os.environ.get('FRIGATE_URL', 'http://frigate:5000')
 INTERESTED_ZONES = ['Door_Front']
 
+# Debug mode flag
+DEBUG_MODE = True
+
+def debug_print(message):
+    """ Helper function to print debug messages if debug mode is enabled """
+    if DEBUG_MODE:
+        print(f"[DEBUG] {message}")
+
 def calculate_dayglo_rating(image):
+    debug_print("Calculating dayglo rating...")
     hsv_image = cv2.cvtColor(image, cv2.COLOR_BGR2HSV)
+
     # Define HSV range for "dayglo" colors (adjust as needed)
     lower_color = np.array([20, 100, 100])
     upper_color = np.array([40, 255, 255])
+
     # Create a mask for the colors
     mask = cv2.inRange(hsv_image, lower_color, upper_color)
+
     # Calculate the percentage of "dayglo" pixels
     dayglo_pixels = cv2.countNonZero(mask)
     total_pixels = image.shape[0] * image.shape[1]
     dayglo_rating = (dayglo_pixels / total_pixels) * 100
+
+    debug_print(f"Dayglo Rating calculated: {dayglo_rating:.2f}%")
     return dayglo_rating
 
 def on_connect(client, userdata, flags, rc):
-    print("Connected to MQTT broker")
+    debug_print(f"Connected to MQTT broker with result code {rc}")
     client.subscribe(MQTT_TOPIC_SUBSCRIBE)
 
 def on_message(client, userdata, msg):
+    debug_print("MQTT message received")
     payload = json.loads(msg.payload)
     event_type = payload.get('type')
     after = payload.get('after', {})
@@ -42,34 +58,72 @@ def on_message(client, userdata, msg):
     if event_type == 'new' and label == 'person':
         zones = after.get('entered_zones', [])
         if any(zone in INTERESTED_ZONES for zone in zones):
+            debug_print(f"Person detected in zones: {zones}")
             threading.Thread(target=process_event, args=(after,)).start()
 
 def process_event(event_data):
     event_id = event_data.get('id')
     camera = event_data.get('camera')
+    debug_print(f"Processing event {event_id} from camera {camera}")
+
     # Get the snapshot URL for the event
     snapshot_url = f"{FRIGATE_URL}/api/events/{event_id}/snapshot.jpg"
-    # Retrieve the snapshot
-    response = requests.get(snapshot_url)
-    if response.status_code == 200:
-        np_arr = np.frombuffer(response.content, np.uint8)
-        image = cv2.imdecode(np_arr, cv2.IMREAD_COLOR)
-        if image is not None:
-            dayglo_rating = calculate_dayglo_rating(image)
-            print(f"Dayglo Rating: {dayglo_rating:.2f}%")
-            # Publish the rating to Home Assistant
-            client.publish(MQTT_TOPIC_PUBLISH, f"{dayglo_rating:.2f}")
-        else:
-            print("Failed to decode image")
-    else:
-        print(f"Failed to retrieve snapshot: {response.status_code}")
 
+    # Retrieve the snapshot
+    try:
+        response = requests.get(snapshot_url)
+        if response.status_code == 200:
+            debug_print(f"Snapshot retrieved successfully from {snapshot_url}")
+            np_arr = np.frombuffer(response.content, np.uint8)
+            image = cv2.imdecode(np_arr, cv2.IMREAD_COLOR)
+            if image is not None:
+                dayglo_rating = calculate_dayglo_rating(image)
+                debug_print(f"Publishing dayglo rating: {dayglo_rating:.2f}%")
+                client.publish(MQTT_TOPIC_PUBLISH, f"{dayglo_rating:.2f}")
+            else:
+                debug_print("Failed to decode the snapshot image")
+        else:
+            debug_print(f"Failed to retrieve snapshot. HTTP Status code: {response.status_code}")
+    except Exception as e:
+        debug_print(f"Error retrieving snapshot: {e}")
+
+def assess_latest_image():
+    """ Assess the most recent image when the script first starts """
+    debug_print("Assessing the most recent image on startup...")
+
+    # Retrieve the most recent event from Frigate
+    events_url = f"{FRIGATE_URL}/api/events?limit=1&has_snapshot=1"
+    try:
+        response = requests.get(events_url)
+        if response.status_code == 200:
+            events = response.json()
+            if events:
+                event_data = events[0]
+                debug_print(f"Most recent event ID: {event_data.get('id')}")
+                process_event(event_data)
+            else:
+                debug_print("No recent events found with snapshots")
+        else:
+            debug_print(f"Failed to retrieve events. HTTP Status code: {response.status_code}")
+    except Exception as e:
+        debug_print(f"Error retrieving events: {e}")
+
+# MQTT setup
 client = mqtt.Client()
+
 if MQTT_USERNAME and MQTT_PASSWORD:
     client.username_pw_set(MQTT_USERNAME, MQTT_PASSWORD)
+
 client.on_connect = on_connect
 client.on_message = on_message
 
+# Start MQTT connection
+debug_print(f"Connecting to MQTT broker at {MQTT_BROKER}:{MQTT_PORT}...")
 client.connect(MQTT_BROKER, MQTT_PORT, 60)
+
+# Assess the latest image when the script starts
+assess_latest_image()
+
+# Start the MQTT loop
 client.loop_forever()