topic Re: To see or not to see...that is the question.... in Community Chat

To see or not to see...that is the question....

Nataliesgramma — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 12:02:21 GMT

We are looking into adding a few of those small security cameras outside around our house. We never had issues in our neighborhood before but lately Police have caught drug addicts combing neighborhoods looking for things they can steal and sell for their next fix. We have a security system...but no cameras.

Hubby wants to put them where they will be visible...thinking it will be a deterrant.... I think we should put them where they aren't visible so we would get a picture of them by catching them off guard.

Any thoughts?

Re: To see or not to see...that is the question....

GSPgirl — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 12:27:16 GMT

My husband's friend installed cameras around his house after a rash of robberies on his street. The robbers still robbed his house and the cops never caught him. I would think they would be a deterrent to some criminals.

Re: To see or not to see...that is the question....

MaggieMack — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 12:31:45 GMT

@Nataliesgramma, cute play on words in your title! I haven't a clue how to answer your question other than to recommend you call your local police and security companies and ask their opinions. From my pov, I would think that the visibility might provide some deterrence.

Re: To see or not to see...that is the question....

StylishLady — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:06:33 GMT

I'd like one at my front door so I could see more clearly who was there when the door bell rings. It has one of those peep hole things, but I would feel safer with a larger look at ho is there.

Re: To see or not to see...that is the question....

Sunshine Kate — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:07:33 GMT

I would go with wanting to see the criminals. There's a better chance of catching someone if you have a picture/video of the criminal.

It happens all the time at banks that are robbed and there are photos. Let's face it, the criminals are not "playing with a full deck". They're just dumb.

There will be a better chance of catching the robber with a photo than without.

....

debic — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:13:52 GMT

@Nataliesgramma wrote:
We are looking into adding a few of those small security cameras outside around our house. We never had issues in our neighborhood before but lately Police have caught drug addicts combing neighborhoods looking for things they can steal and sell for their next fix. We have a security system...but no cameras.

Hubby wants to put them where they will be visible...thinking it will be a deterrant.... I think we should put them where they aren't visible so we would get a picture of them by catching them off guard.

Any thoughts?

Or they may steal the camera first. We have motion detector lights, but are in the middle of a 2 acre lot, someone will have to really want something. And then there's 2 dogs.

Re: ....

Nataliesgramma — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 13:34:58 GMT

@debic wrote:
@Nataliesgramma wrote:
We are looking into adding a few of those small security cameras outside around our house. We never had issues in our neighborhood before but lately Police have caught drug addicts combing neighborhoods looking for things they can steal and sell for their next fix. We have a security system...but no cameras.

Hubby wants to put them where they will be visible...thinking it will be a deterrant.... I think we should put them where they aren't visible so we would get a picture of them by catching them off guard.

Any thoughts?
Or they may steal the camera first. We have motion detector lights, but are in the middle of a 2 acre lot, someone will have to really want something. And then there's 2 dogs.

That what I am afraid of....stealing the cameras.....

Re: To see or not to see...that is the question....

MorningLover — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:00:51 GMT

I think it would be better to have visible security cameras on the exterior of a home.

It would be better to have them Known and Prevalent.

If a criminal sees that there's a chance that they are going to leave some sort of evidence at the scene , they more than likely will choose another target.

A well placed visible camera will get better angles and coverage area for your views.

Inside your home is where hidden cameras can be useful .

....

debic — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:03:27 GMT

@Nataliesgramma wrote:
@debic wrote:
@Nataliesgramma wrote:
We are looking into adding a few of those small security cameras outside around our house. We never had issues in our neighborhood before but lately Police have caught drug addicts combing neighborhoods looking for things they can steal and sell for their next fix. We have a security system...but no cameras.

Hubby wants to put them where they will be visible...thinking it will be a deterrant.... I think we should put them where they aren't visible so we would get a picture of them by catching them off guard.

Any thoughts?
Or they may steal the camera first. We have motion detector lights, but are in the middle of a 2 acre lot, someone will have to really want something. And then there's 2 dogs.
That what I am afraid of....stealing the cameras.....

I guess it would depend on the criminal. I doubt it would deter a professional. Hidden cameras inside would be my first choice.

Re: To see or not to see...that is the question....

SeaMaiden — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:07:35 GMT

the best deterrent is a big barking dog... or the recording of a big dog barking. They sell those tapes. I would go to the pound, save a dogs life and get a german shepard or some dog like that that would scare anyone away.

Re: To see or not to see...that is the question....

MorningLover — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:31:56 GMT

SeaMaiden......A BIG BARKING DOG like my good friend has !

When anyone goes to her door, her big dog jumps up against the glass french doors.

Lunging up against the door and standing very tall. It's enough to scare you right out of your shoes !

Once inside the house, he's the friendliest dog. A GOOD BOY !

Re: To see or not to see...that is the question....

silkyk — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 14:44:33 GMT

Use Trailcams and (because they are camouflage color) you can hide them easily in the bushes or trees. You might also add a few "video surveillance" signs and let the crooks wonder just what's up and who now has their pic.

Re: To see or not to see...that is the question....

Plaid Pants2 — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 15:04:40 GMT

If you put the camera up high enough, where nobody could just reach up and grab it, would be the best thing to do.

Re: To see or not to see...that is the question....

2blonde — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 15:53:58 GMT

The barking dog is a good idea, but I think you also want to protect items outside your home, right? I think I would hide the cameras as best I could without ruining visibility (if they're up too high, all you're going to see is the top of their heads). I would also post signs at the front and back of the house "You are on Camera," or something like that. If you can hook them up to your I-phone, you can watch remotely........a couple of my friends have that.

Re: To see or not to see...that is the question....

hckynutjohn — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 16:45:59 GMT

Depending on the location of the recorders, if a criminal sees them and can reach them? Chances are they can disable them in some fashion. Just because they cannot be seen, does not mean good video still cannot be taken.

Video cameras of this era can be as small as the head of a small nail, very easy to make them undetectable to criminals in a hurry. Criminals know many home owners put up "dummy" Security Signs and the same with cameras.

Where we live and the fact that nobody can draw a timeline of when I come and go? Criminals scout and get a read of who is in and who is out before they make their attempt. In our case, we live at the end of a long winding gravel road. One way IN and the same way OUT.

Anyone eying our abode pretty much has to use our driveway to turn around as road is not wide enough to do a 180? Should they be unlucky enough to want to try our home? They might leave in a different condition than when they arrived. We used to call one of our friends "Feet First Freddie". We used to carry him out of many of our sometimes wild parties. Same might be true for anyone thinking this home to be an easy target.

hckynut(john)

Re: To see or not to see...that is the question....

Drythe — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 17:26:14 GMT

I have a fantasy of a recording of a chainsaw cranking up if someone enters my home and sets off the alarm.

NOTE: Have thought of this for a long time, never done it.

Re: To see or not to see...that is the question....

Lipstickdiva — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 17:36:13 GMT

We have a security system and cameras outside of our home as well. We have the very good ones that are infrared so we can still get a good picture in the dark.

If one is looking, they can definitely notice them. They were strategically placed so we would be able to get the pic of anyone on our property, or trying to get in the front or back door. There was really no way to "hide" them and still be able to see what we wanted to see.

Re: To see or not to see...that is the question....

sallybusky — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:10:49 GMT

If you have concealed cameras, then yes, you could possibly get a good pic that may lead to the crooks' capture. A measure of gratification comes with that. However, having a visible camera may prevent someone from even attempting to break in, thus saving you the hassle of damaged property, stolen goods, a trial, etc. My vote would be to put the cameras in plain sight; any deterrent - camera, barking dog, lights, noise - that encourages a criminal to go away is a good thing, isn't it? (They may think they're stealing a camera, but wouldn't they wonder if there was another camera watching them do that?)

Re: To see or not to see...that is the question....

brewhaha — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:18:45 GMT

You can say "smile, you're on bandit camera".

Re: To see or not to see...that is the question....

RainyDayGal — Wed, 13 Jan 2016 20:21:01 GMT

Whichever way you decide to go, put up signs on the windows/door that say the property is under video surveillance at all times.