Home Security Camera Systems

[Divide]

I decided to take the plunge into home security cameras. I had one for a couple months before, and I liked it. It was actually my sons, and he came to live with me for a couple months between jobs one time. But then he got on his feet and moved out, and took it with him. Dangit. It was nice to be able to see who's outside without going to a window.

My question is, I'm not sure if I should hide the outside cameras, or mount them very visible so they will know they are on camera so may just pass me by and look for an easier target.

Or would the visible cameras draw the more experienced criminals and make me a target, advertising I have something to protect...?

What are your views on this? Hide them or no?

 

[HereIStand]

Good questions. Maybe use the visible cameras as decoys for the real ones.

 

[Root of Jesse]

You have to decide what you want them to do. If you want to see who's at the door ringing your doorbell, there's a wide variety. You don't need super high resolution. If you want to see a license plate on the street at night of someone casing your house, you need very high resolution. You need high resolution, also, if you want to give evidence to the police.

 

[Humble me Lord]

I believe most thieves look for the fast, easy target.
IMO, I would have one visible and one (or more) not. In this technology age, camera images and footage are usually stored off site, and most criminals know that, so if they see a camera, will likely move on to an easier target.
I have had good luck with Foscam cameras, but where we live now, I mainly use them to monitor livestock, and they still work good even in a dusty barn.

 

[Divide]

You have to decide what you want them to do. If you want to see who's at the door ringing your doorbell, there's a wide variety. You don't need super high resolution. If you want to see a license plate on the street at night of someone casing your house, you need very high resolution. You need high resolution, also, if you want to give evidence to the police.

Yep, I have all that figured out. Night vision cameras, HD to maybe get a license number if I have to. I'll have one on the front door of course so if someone comes to the door, and also the side and back yard which the driveway runs through to the alley...so I can keep an eye on the trucks. It's a 3 story house, so I could put the cameras very visible ( to keep the riff raff away, and yet so far up out of reach that no one could even get close to them to try and disable it or something.

In a way I kind of think that's a good idea. But then again, do you think it might make me a target?

 

[Humble me Lord]

I don't think it makes you a target at all, the deterrent factor far outweighs that idea.

 

[Divide]

I don't think it makes you a target at all, the deterrent factor far outweighs that idea.

That's kind of what I'm thinking. I know if they do get in (while I'm gone) that they'll go for the DVR to take the footage or DVR. I got a plan to set up a decoy DVR that will be recording so they can get their footage...they'll be more though, that they'll miss. All it takes is splitters. I'm goig to hide the indoor cameras for sure. Prolly have go aftermarket for those ones.

 

[Divide]

One thing I decided is these cameras will be hard wired, none will be wireless, nor will they be connected to any WiFi. Just straight CCTV. Wifi cameras...prolly makes it easy for them to watch you through your own equipment.

 

[Humble me Lord]

Ok, mine are on wifi, and images are sent to the cloud, so if anyone did disable a camera, I still have all the images.

 

[Take Heart]

Good question. I remember watching this documentary on an ex-home burglar and he said burglars like him like it when the front of the house has shrubs or trees that pretty much cover most of the front of the house as he says it makes it easy for them to hide in. He also isn't fazed with those alarm stickers that people usually stake on their front soil or stick to their window to let people know that their house has an alarm. It was interesting to hear him say that in most cases, people just put that sticker but don't actually have an alarm. What most deters burglars is the sight of a car in the driveway and hearing noises (such as a t.v. or radio) within the house. Also, for security cameras, it was interesting to note that he mentioned that whenever he saw those cameras, it would make him think that the owners own some expensive valuables. Not trying to scare you as I think the camera is a great idea if that's what you feel comfortable having. It really depends on you on how you wish to set it up. I'd personally hide it from sight.

 

[Divide]

Ok, mine are on wifi, and images are sent to the cloud, so if anyone did disable a camera, I still have all the images.

That could be a plus. But I aint real computer savvy and don't have a cloud account or know how it works or anything, plus, pretty much the whole world could watch you through my own cameras real easy if they know how, so I'll prolly be passing on that. It would be real good idea to stream it off site so they can't destroy the footage, but I like my privacy just a wee bit more.

 

[Divide]

Good question. I remember watching this documentary on an ex-home burglar and he said burglars like him like it when the front of the house has shrubs or trees that pretty much cover most of the front of the house as he says it makes it easy for them to hide in. He also isn't fazed with those alarm stickers that people usually stake on their front soil or stick to their window to let people know that their house has an alarm. It was interesting to hear him say that in most cases, people just put that sticker but don't actually have an alarm. What most deters burglars is the sight of a car in the driveway and hearing noises (such as a t.v. or radio) within the house. Also, for security cameras, it was interesting to note that he mentioned that whenever he saw those cameras, it would make him think that the owners own some expensive valuables. Not trying to scare you as I think the camera is a great idea if that's what you feel comfortable having. It really depends on you on how you wish to set it up. I'd personally hide it from sight.

That is a great idea. Been there done that, and there aren't any shrubs up against the house now. I've wondered how much gravel I would need and how much it cost because if I went around the outside perimeter of the house with crunchy gravel strip maybe three feet wide then I could hear someone walking close to the house too. I thought about getting me some alarm stickers too, lol, but never did. Every little bit helps.

Also, for security cameras, it was interesting to note that he mentioned that whenever he saw those cameras, it would make him think that the owners own some expensive valuables

This. That's what I was thinking. Seeing the cameras might deter that teenage boy opportunist, but may draw more intense scrutiny from seasoned criminals and make me a target. That's the last thing I want. I prolly should hide the cameras then. I just inherited this house from my dad who passed away recently, and I'm gonna live here. Clear title no rent. The outside of the house advertises that I'm poor and have nothing worth stealing. My truck is a 1995 F250 work truck, it screams poor even though it drives ok. But I also inherited my dad's van. He bought a brand new E150 work van in 1989 and still had it. It's an Ohio truck so it's falling apart, rusting away. Bad. It runs ok he kept that up but the crap they use on the streets, salt or whatever just eats vehicles up. I should leave it parked out there. It looks so bad it says this is guy is so poor the only thing he might have to steal is food stamps...Lol!

He remodeled inside the house but not the outside. This house was built in 1904. It's structurally sound but hasn't had an outside face-lift in easy 50 years guaranteed. It looks old and run down outside but it's not inside! So it's real low profile. If I put shiny new cameras up, it'll be like using a new fishing lure and seem out of place. Yeah...I have to hide them now that I think about it. Or else destroy the theme of the house outside, which is poor man, lol. It's a sleeper house, nice inside and remodeled (wisely!) but unattractive on the outside. I like this plan. No stickers, no cameras, nothing nice, two ancient trucks, and the American flag that my Dad has flying in the yard is old and very tattered. I almost took it down and put up a new one, but I couldn't do it. It's been there a long time and obviously been through a lot plus it's my Dad's flag...it works in the theme to keep the burglers away, lol!!
That tattered old flag could be a better deterrent than a camera!

 

[gym_class_hero]

heres a picture of my camera...

 

[Humble me Lord]

I would also add a sign that says, "Trespassers will be shot, survivors will be shot again"

 

[Take Heart]

That is a great idea. Been there done that, and there aren't any shrubs up against the house now. I've wondered how much gravel I would need and how much it cost because if I went around the outside perimeter of the house with crunchy gravel strip maybe three feet wide then I could hear someone walking close to the house too. I thought about getting me some alarm stickers too, lol, but never did. Every little bit helps.



This. That's what I was thinking. Seeing the cameras might deter that teenage boy opportunist, but may draw more intense scrutiny from seasoned criminals and make me a target. That's the last thing I want. I prolly should hide the cameras then. I just inherited this house from my dad who passed away recently, and I'm gonna live here. Clear title no rent. The outside of the house advertises that I'm poor and have nothing worth stealing. My truck is a 1995 F250 work truck, it screams poor even though it drives ok. But I also inherited my dad's van. He bought a brand new E150 work van in 1989 and still had it. It's an Ohio truck so it's falling apart, rusting away. Bad. It runs ok he kept that up but the crap they use on the streets, salt or whatever just eats vehicles up. I should leave it parked out there. It looks so bad it says this is guy is so poor the only thing he might have to steal is food stamps...Lol!

He remodeled inside the house but not the outside. This house was built in 1904. It's structurally sound but hasn't had an outside face-lift in easy 50 years guaranteed. It looks old and run down outside but it's not inside! So it's real low profile. If I put shiny new cameras up, it'll be like using a new fishing lure and seem out of place. Yeah...I have to hide them now that I think about it. Or else destroy the theme of the house outside, which is poor man, lol. It's a sleeper house, nice inside and remodeled (wisely!) but unattractive on the outside. I like this plan. No stickers, no cameras, nothing nice, two ancient trucks, and the American flag that my Dad has flying in the yard is old and very tattered. I almost took it down and put up a new one, but I couldn't do it. It's been there a long time and obviously been through a lot plus it's my Dad's flag...it works in the theme to keep the burglers away, lol!!
That tattered old flag could be a better deterrent than a camera!

I think you'll be fine : ) God is our Protector. I always cover our house, car, and family with the blood of Jesus through prayer. Also, here's the YouTube video (it's fairly short but very informative- I highly recommend checking it out) of the ex-burglar. I just noticed, after trying to find the exact one on YouTube, on how many videos there are about 'ex-burglar/thief' or 'inside the mind of a thief' videos.

 

[Divide]

heres a picture of my camera...

That particular brand of camera is on my list too. I've always had a dog. I need another one too. I think I'll look into rescuing a German Shepherd puppy. Shepherd's are good for this, normal people see a family dog and criminals see a police dog.

That's a good lookin Rottie!

 

[Divide]

I think you'll be fine : ) God is our Protector. I always cover our house, car, and family with the blood of Jesus through prayer. Also, here's the YouTube video (it's fairly short but very informative- I highly recommend checking it out) of the ex-burglar. I just noticed, after trying to find the exact one on YouTube, on how many videos there are about 'ex-burglar/thief' or 'inside the mind of a thief' videos.

Yeah I'll work it all out. It'll be good. It's not going to be hard to hide all the wiring either, I looked at the installation and it looks like the hardest part is going to be mounting the outside cameras, it's a 3 story house with a walk around attic space on top.

I used to have an English Mastiff, he's passed on now because he developed kidney problems. But he was the best dog I ever had. I thought about getting another one but man, the doggie door would have to be big, and I don't like that idea. The back yard is fenced so I want a doggie door. I have to decide on this too somehow.

My Mastiff, Thor, was better off the leash than on a leash. He acted like I was insulting him to put a leasdh on him! Without a leash he would stick to my side. I walked him right down a busy street's sidewalk and he wouldn't even look at people. Eyes straight ahead. People would give us a wide berth, but Thor was fine! He wasn't a barker either, which was great! He only barked when it was serious. (He did bark & growl at one of my "old friend" the first time he met him...I never looked at that friend the same again, I think Thor knew something about him, he could sense it!)

He'd sit on the couch like a gentleman. Butt on the couch, paws on the floor, lol! Dang! I miss him. But they eat soo much, and the dog door...I dunno.

 

[gym_class_hero]

That particular brand of camera is on my list too. I've always had a dog. I need another one too. I think I'll look into rescuing a German Shepherd puppy. Shepherd's are good for this, normal people see a family dog and criminals see a police dog.

That's a good lookin Rottie!

Thanks Divide. Thats actually a pic from the internet of a Rottie, our guy is below.We were blessed to get him. He's very calm and laid back but does give people second thoughts. He's spoiled, Ive taken him to work with me every day for the last 10 years(or maybe Im spoiled).German shepherds are great dogs, too!

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