The mere presence of a video camera can affect criminal activity. According to a report
from UNC Charlotte’s Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology, cameras and surveillance are the top considerations of burglars when they’re selecting a target.
After surveying burglars about their crime practices, about 83 percent said they’d look for alarm signs, alarms, outdoor cameras, or other surveillance equipment before attempting a burglary. Furthermore, about 60 percent of surveyed burglars said that an alarm would prompt them to seek an alternative target.
Using Footage to Identify and Catch the Offender
When a crime does occur, law enforcement is increasingly relying upon security cameras during criminal probes.
Following a home break-in, police do their due diligence, but the process is often unlike what happens in television crime dramas. Without security footage, there’s often very little that can be done to identify the perpetrator.
The Captain of a NJ Police Department explains, “As recently as five years ago, video systems in the home were the exception. Now, we routinely have some sort of video from an involved homeowner or a neighbor.”
Additionally, the security footage can easily be shared on social media so that as many people as possible can help identify the suspect. Police forces across the country are saying how valuable home security cameras can be.
One Step Ahead of the Criminal
Smart video security is also helping homeowners act quickly when there’s a potential threat. Rather than arriving home to discover that a burglary has occurred several hours prior, internet-enabled video cameras can send activity alerts so that users to see the live video feed of a burglary.
This smart video technology means that you’ll have the footage as evidence, but you can also alert the authorities while the event is still happening.
Better Video Security
While using video security systems to fight crime isn’t new, the technology has come a long way since its beginnings. Today’s smart security cameras are powerful devices that are easy to install and even easier to use.
