Mobile Security Cameras are a great way to deter property crime. Studies have shown that crime, such as trespassing and burglaries, decreases in areas where security cameras are installed.
The best security cameras are smart and provide 24/7 monitoring. They are also equipped with motion sensors and have high-definition image quality.
- Deter Crime
Security cameras are a great deterrent to crime because of their ability to capture footage that can help catch criminals. They also have a psychological impact on criminals. The presence of a camera suggests that they are being watched, which can change their behavior. This is known as the Hawthorne Effect. Security cameras can be used to deter crimes like burglary, robbery, and trespassing because criminals will know they are being recorded.
When looking for a security camera, it is important to consider its field of view and the type of recording. For example, a higher-resolution camera can provide a more detailed image. Also, look for a camera that uses advanced encryption technology to ensure that your video is secure. It is also important to look for a camera that can be connected to a professional monitoring service. These services come with a monthly fee, but they can help to deter criminals by sending an alert to police when the camera is triggered.
Other security features can also be a good deterrent, such as sirens and voice activation. For example, the Vivint outdoor security camera Pro has a feature that will play a 104-decibel siren if a person is loitering near it.
- Identify Intruders
Security cameras are a great way to deter crime and provide video evidence of intruders. They can help you protect your valuables and prevent costly damage to property. Plus, if someone falsely accuses you of wrongdoing, video surveillance will let you prove your innocence.
Whether installed in business or residential spaces, security cameras can help you observe activities and protect your property. They can also enhance security and operational efficiency, reducing costs.
For example, AI security cameras can detect unauthorized movements and integrate with emergency response systems for swift and effective intervention. They can also analyze workflows and improve productivity by identifying bottlenecks and streamlining operations. They can even help you monitor occupancy levels and optimize space utilization.
However, some researchers have raised concerns about the privacy implications of security cameras. Gareth Tyson from QMUL warns that most security cameras upload unencrypted data and can be hacked to reveal private information. He and his team are working on algorithms that can help the cameras better understand what they’re seeing, assess the risk of each event and only upload when it’s worth it. This could reduce the threat of hacking and make camera systems less of a privacy risk.
- Monitor Your Property
Whether you live in a home or own a business, security cameras allow you to monitor your property at all times. A burglar may see a camera outside your building or in an area that is under surveillance, and this can make them think twice about breaking into your home or business.
Additionally, smart security cameras that can be accessed via a mobile device can alert you to motion. Look for features such as tripwire and human/vehicle detection to eliminate false alarms caused by animals or inanimate objects. Some systems even come with facial recognition technology that can, over time, recognize your family members or coworkers and send you super-specific notifications when they are detected on the premises.
A camera system can also help you keep track of packages that are left on the stoop. This can be helpful for homeowners, as well as renters, who might not want to take the risk of a package being stolen off the front porch.
- Monitor Your Employees
Using security cameras in your business provides numerous benefits, including deterring shoplifting and other crimes, tracking employee behavior, helping with customer flow patterns, providing operational insights, improving productivity, and more. In retail, for instance, analyzing camera footage can help you identify peak times, popular product areas, and straggler products so you can optimize staffing and inventory.
The cameras also serve as an effective tool for fraud restraint, reducing the risk of false insurance claims or lawsuits filed by workers alleging poor working conditions. Cameras record every square inch of a workplace, provide an unbiased account of existing conditions, and make fraudulent worker actions less likely.
Additionally, security cameras are a great way to settle disputes and conflict in both personal and professional scenarios. Whether it’s an argument between you and your family, or a misunderstanding between your employees and a customer, security camera footage provides an unbiased account of events and can clear up the confusion. However, it’s important to note that employers can only use video surveillance for legitimate business purposes and must obtain written employee consent prior to recording. Additionally, cameras should never be placed in bathrooms, lockers, dressing rooms, lounges or any other area where employees have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
- Keep an Eye on Your Pets
Security cameras that can also be used to monitor pets are becoming increasingly popular. Pet owners have an extra reason to invest in one because it can help them keep track of what their pets get up to while they’re away. They can be useful in addressing issues such as separation anxiety, which can result in destroyed furniture or other kinds of property damage or undue stress on your pet.
Pet cameras can be motion-activated, which is useful for keeping tabs on whether your furry friends are causing mischief or just sleeping. You can even talk to them through the camera, which allows you to train your pets or simply give them soothing reassurance. This feature can be useful in helping you deal with your pet’s separation anxiety or even address any medical issues they may be facing.
If you choose a camera that can pan, tilt and zoom, you’ll be able to see your pets from different angles and make sure they’re safe at home. Look for a camera that can record in HD or even 4K, which is more detailed than standard videos. Also, look for a camera that offers remote viewing, which means you can check in on your pets from anywhere in the world via your smartphone or tablet.
- Monitor Your Vehicles
Whether you’re concerned about cars being stolen in your parking lot or want to monitor your truck when it’s parked at your house, security cameras can help. Some smart cameras come equipped with motion and impact sensors to detect activity in your car and send notifications to your smartphone. Others feature night vision to let you see what’s going on, even in low-light conditions. In addition, many cameras can record only when triggered by movement or impact, which reduces storage requirements and ensures you’re only getting relevant footage.
To ensure that your vehicle surveillance camera is effective, make sure it’s positioned strategically. Consider the flow of traffic in your parking area and where cars enter and exit. Positioning your camera to capture these areas will improve visibility and deter potential thieves.
Also, look for a camera that can connect to WiFi. While most security cameras can upload their footage to the cloud or alert you to suspicious activity, some areas may have poor internet connections. For this reason, it’s important to choose a camera like the Reolink Go that works over cellular data and automatically selects the strongest network available.
- Monitor Your Home
For homeowners, security cameras offer a way to monitor who comes in and out of the house. They can also keep an eye on packages that are left on the stoop so that you don’t get home to find that they’ve been stolen. And they can alert you to any suspicious activity, which makes it easier to contact the police.
Look for security cameras that provide a wide field of view. The wider the angle, the fewer cameras you’ll need to cover your entire property. And choose a camera that offers a password-protected cloud account, so that hackers can’t easily hack into your footage. It’s also a good idea to set up two-factor authentication on your cloud account so that you’ll need something more than just your password to log in.
Look for a security camera that offers color night vision. Bright lights can make the camera more conspicuous, which can deter some thieves, but it can also make it harder to see in the dark. Check to see if the camera offers two-way audio. This feature allows you to speak through the camera through your mobile app, giving you greater control over who enters your home.
