We just received word from our next door neighbor that someone might have tried to open her back door last night (though she also leaves the possibility she left it open). In either case, we live in a neighborhood where theft does occur often enough that it is a worry (bikes were recently swiped, locks and all, from our neighbor's front). What to do when you're on a budget and want to compliment a good deadbolt? Fake security cameras might be an option...
People tend to notice security cameras, even if placed out of the way. Not that long ago, while testing a security system, our neighbors and friends immediately noticed the one camera we installed on our second floor window pointing down at our front entry. Even when it was not on, people seemed to act differently just knowing it was there (the funny thing was watching people waving at it when we knew it was off and completely unplugged). Why not take advantage of that psychological effect of surveillance and protect yourself with a intentionally noticeable security camera. You can purchase not only fake brand models, but actual replicas from security camera manufacturers like this one from Swann.
We personally like the selection at Smarthome, with multiple models that light up and even move back and forth with a motion sensor and fake cabling. There are interior dome models also, but we think that might be overkill and creep out invited guests.
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we have one! it is too funny. it's very obviously not plugged in because it was poorly installed, so i wonder if it would ever do any good - but our landlord put it in before we got there. i didn't realize it was a popular thing.
why not get a fake gun and one of those doorbells that rings and sounds like a fake dog (don't forget the fake dog poo for authentisity) .
When I was young I knew there was a house in my neighborhood that had a sign that said beware of dog even though I knew they didn't have one.
This is going to be more and more popular, so people will get used to fake cameras; you'll have to put up a sign saying "this is a real camera" soon :-)
Just get a gun - a real one don't cost much.
My grandfather had a sign by his door that said "nevermind the dog, beware of owner" with a 3-d fake gun coming off of it.
It must had worked, they never had any break ins in 50 years living there, but he really had 20 guns spread all over the house.
My condo building has a non-working camera in the entryway, and we've had several incidents recently ranging from stolen bikes (mine) to puking partygoers. So clearly, the camera is not a deterrant.
We're looking into upgrading it to one of those systems that record onto a hard-drive. According to a neighbor, the price on these systems is reasonable - maybe less than $200.
Maybe next time we'll know which neighbor needs to clean up the puke!
Kathryn: I think in the case of puking partygoers, they weren't in any right sound of mind to even notice the security cameras :D Do the fake cameras in your building blink/move? I'm thinking this would be a necessary feature for effectiveness. I've also placed a security system sticker on our front. It seems to have scared some solicitors away, which is invaluable in itself.
Gregory,
You're probably right!!
Our camera isn't fake - it just isn't hooked up to anything. I think the biggest problem with it is that it's mounted too high, so people don't notice it.
I'll follow up with the info on the inexpensive recording version once the condo board gets the details.
My landlord put security cameras and signs all over our house, when he lived there they worked, but they dont any more
there are camera's on the house next to mine. I dont know if they are real or fake but they seriously freak me out. I mean.. I get wanting the sense of security - but this makes me wonder if the neighborhood is going to be flattened when their homemade meth lab blows up.
a) cameras do not deter someone desperate to steal something to satisfy a drug addiction (this accounts for a decent share of petty crime)
b) a camera might signal to a professional thief that you have something valuable to hide - just a thought.
I went to school for criminal Justice and I can tell you that inmates we interviewed when we visited a prison in NJ say that they give a thought to the cameras but still it doesn't repel them. Plus a criminologist did a study and 86% of criminals had said that it doesn't make them think twice about doing the theft. It's a waste of money to get a fake when in all actuallity it will do no good.
When I was in art school, lots of my stuff went missing from my studio. I made three fake security cameras (very obviously fake), hung them around my studio, and the effect was amazing. You really felt like you were being watched, and you did assume they were real unless you looked closely.