Fake surveillance cameras?

[CreekRat]

My in-laws have been spending a lot of time in hospitals recently and they are worried their shop will be broken into by local/family meth heads when they are away. They don't have a lot of money but I thought I might put up some fake security cameras as a deterrent.

Does anyone have an experience with these cameras? I order a set from Amazon for $12 that have a general camera like appearance.

Has anyone every tried this before or have any other thought on securing a roughly 20x30 shop next to a home?

Thanks!

 

[Cruzan80]

You need to ask yourself if the possibility of being on camera is enough of a deterrent for these people. And if, during the theoretical break-in, they are sane enough to see and recognize a camera, or if they are too far out due to the above meth.

I think this may be a case of making the shop harder to get into than the next easiest target, which I understand is the driving force behind the "fake" cameras. Just not sure if they would help with the intended outcome.

 

[southalabama]

If your putting up fake cameras get some real security signs and put the cameras in visible places.

Secure the most obvious doors for intrusion even if you have to screw a 2x10 across the back. If intruders come hopefully they won't pick the easiest door to break in.

Lights on variable timers inside the house.

 

[CreekRat]

Thanks for the reminder about putting lights on timers in the house. My folks used to do that when we'd go on vacation as a kid but I'd forgotten all about the timers.

 

[James-W]

Wouldn't a real camera with a recording device be a better idea? It won't prevent a break-in, but hopefully it would allow you and the police to identify the person(s) who committed the crime.

 

[Coolabah]

Wouldn't a real camera with a recording device be a better idea? It won't prevent a break-in, but hopefully it would allow you and the police to identify the person(s) who committed the crime.

You would think so. In my neck of the woods , it is SOP to wear a hoodie , scarf /bandana like in the westerns , and if you really want to look cool , sunglasses. I know we are talking meth heads in this post , but some of them used to be smart
It is a mistake to think all bad guys also have an IQ of 40. Even if they do , someone smarter has shown them some tricks.
I would beef up actual security as no 1 , and sure , dummy or real cameras can't hurt.

 

[RVDan]

Meth heads don't care about cameras. They're happy to get caught. Getting arrested means a night indoors in a bed and breakfast in the morning before getting tossed out on the street with a court date which they won't show up for.

Lights on timers and cars parked out front, perhaps some beware of dog signs.

 

[JRC3]

I think a stereo or TV on is good too. "Is somebody home...Or not?" ...Move on to the next house.

 

[G-ManBart]

They might get in the door/window, but they won't stay....

http://www.burglarbomb.com

 

[Kaizen]

Spend your money on securing like said. Cheap lock slit covers and covering any way they see inside. Move the cars around. Lighting. The list goes on. Wouldn't waste the time putting up those fakes.


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[wssix99]

I live in a decent neighborhood and have cameras several feet from my gates with big signs warning the crack heads about the cameras. They don't care and still break in...

 

[matt_i]

Other than windows, the weakest point is the door jamb.

 

[wafer]

just my $.02...,
Fake cameras might help a little, but they are not a complete solution. Securing any & all high value and/or easily pawnable/sellable items might help minimize the impact of a burglary. If someone really wants in they will get in, and in my experience the police are not focused on "solving" burglaries and returning stolen items. Personally, I'd approach the situation with the mindset, "assuming there is a burglary, how do I minimize the impact."

 

[cheechi]

Do you also plan to put fake locks on doors?

locks, cameras, gator filled moats, whatever the security measure, it's meant to keep honest people out. Make sure insurance is adequate and if cameras are needed put up real cameras. end of story.

 

[ADCS]

The key in most cases is to just make your property more difficult to enter than your neighbors. Sounds bad but it's true.

If it's not being used right now, put a wrench or metal bar in the track of any over head doors. This way they can't be forced open.

Add door jamb reinforcement to any man doors. Basically metal reinforcement over the jambs with long bolts. You won't see it with the door closed and it will significantly increase the effort required to kick in a door.

Buy proper locks for all the man doors. The ones from big big box or hardware stores are all ****. Even their dead bolts, ****.

Put bars on any smaller ground level windows. Big ones as well if you can find ones that fit and don't mind the look.

Put clear 3M type security film on ground level windows. Surprisingly this will make it 1000x more difficult to actually break a window for entry. The added benefit is the film can also block UV light and provide thermal benefits.

Replace a few light switches with ones that have programmable on/off. Indoors and outdoors.

Cameras should be a last resort after you reinforce your entry points.

Here are some more tips as well as a good source for propper equipment

https://securitysnobs.com/Best-Practices.html

 

[mmb617]

I can't see how a camera fake or real, would deter a meth-head.

 

[Jazz1]

Meth heads are not concerned with getting arrested so if they know home is vacant only the threat of confrontation is a deterrent.

 

[UncleJoe]

a live dog beats a fake camera everytime

 

[DonPowers]

A friend got broken into while away. After, he installed motion sensing lights that had built in cameras that were activated with the lights. They come in all price ranges.


http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=motion+light+with+camera

 

[LS6 Tommy]

They might get in the door/window, but they won't stay....

http://www.burglarbomb.com

Great. When the folks come home from the hospital and they've forgotten about the burglar blomb, they walk in and get blasted...

Tommy

 

[HotrodHR]

Install Simpli Safe alarm system... a couple of hundred bucks for sensors etc depending on what you choose, NO contract for $15 a month or $25 a month to manage system by computer or smart phone...

 

[ADCS]

A friend got broken into while away. After, he installed motion sensing lights that had built in cameras that were activated with the lights. They come in all price ranges.


http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_nkw=motion+light+with+camera

Motion sensing lights are not a deterrent at all in my experience. I have video of attempted burglars not even flinching when they turn on while scoping out my neighbors cars and house (neighbors lights, not mine).

Even my place with multiple visible cameras, exterior lights and 3x100lbs dogs are not a deterent. They still check all the car door locks looking for loose change and valuables. The best thing is to fortify your entrances and hope you catch them on camera if they do manage to get in or cause damage.

 

[ambenz]

GREAT ADVICE from all the posters!
Another is call the Police Department and put the house on "Vacation Watch".
Talking with the Police is great because they have seen it all.
Since they know the house is not occupied, they will be on watch a bit more, and usually check doors and windows on a walk around, every few hours.
They will have advice, show vulnerable points, places where thief's can hide, and show you more things you can do to help yourself.

 

[e36jon]

I lived in a condo complex with security gates, good door locks (Cam style that can't just be forced), and lots of cameras. No actual alarm system or monitoring though.

Sadly, even with all of the above we (The complex / shared garage area) was robbed repeatedly. The break ins varied from obvious pros who were in and out in under two minutes to the above mentioned opportunistic meth-heads. In all cases we got nice face shots on the cameras, but at least here, the cops just shrug and admit that nothing is going to be done: don't have the people, don't have the time, etc.

So what's the solution? I moved... I honestly don't know what it takes to really keep stuff secure other than blind luck, frankly.

Hope the fake cameras, real signs, better lights, and friendly concerned law enforcement do the trick for you.

Jon "head-in-the-sand"

 

[CafeTools]

I used to work installing security and one thing that they claimed was that having a security companies sign in the front and back yard, plus window stickers make it something like 100 times less likely you will be broken into.

 

[CafeTools]

I think one or two good fake cameras would be a good addition. It would be a good bonus if they had lights at night so people could see them.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Obvious fakes and hidden real cameras. Neighbor had both - the fakes were all pulled down and broken when they got broken into by our local methhead criminal element (well known), the hidden ones showed the dopers (a) casing out the property from the road, (b) breaking the fake cameras, and (c) loading his stuff into the rental uHaul van (complete with the plates on the uHaul).

Make sure your real cameras are good quality - our sheriff mentioned the biggest issue with these is the pictures are so poor you can't tell who the scumbag is.

 

[goingtoarizona]

I have a laundromat and they steal the effing cameras (on to Heavy duty vandal proofs). What thieves do and think is totally foreign to us. Meth heads and homeless will steal nickel and dime stuff for their next fix or bowl of instant noodles. They will steal some fricking bs item they think they can sell etc, but cause $2000 in damage. Put in real cameras, an alarm and guard dog. You can get a single IP camera that you can watch on your phone for cheap or get an 8 camera system with remote and phone viewing at COSTCO for $300. A good alarm is a necessity!!

 

[JRC3]

Picked this up at Lowes last week on sale for $179. https://www.lowes.com/pd/Swann-Analog-Wired-Outdoor-Security-Camera-with-Night-Vision/1000115465


I have these on my garage entry door so I can throw a 2x4 on it when I'm out of town. $9

Google pic, not my actual door. Mine are fastened to studs.

 

[wssix99]

Another is call the Police Department and put the house on "Vacation Watch".

This is not true. I know for a fact that the police only come when there are gunshots. Then you could wait 10-30 minutes for them to arrive.

It's a great time to be a drunk driver here... We had one hit a bridge in front of my house the other day and the Fire Department cleaned up the mess, (including the cases of empty beer bottles that were ditched in the street) treated/released the injured, the tow trucks moved the wreckage, and friends came and picked up all the passengers before we even saw any patrol cars. The driver just left the scene. ... we live 1 block from the police station...

 

[JRC3]

This is not true. I know for a fact that the police only come when there are gunshots. Then you could wait 10-30 minutes for them to arrive.

But most of us don't live in a major **** city. Most of us have cops who don't have to deal with scum after scum shooting and stabbing each other or stomping victims into a coma in the street, followed by onlookers steeling the vic's shoes and turning their pockets inside/out. Most of us have police departments who care about the community they serve, because it resembles them, and will keep an eye on things when time allows.

 

[ddawg16]

Some good advice....and not so good advice.

Calling the police and having a 'vacation check' on your house....does nothing, but maybe let people know you are out of town.

A better approach....have a trusted neighbor remove any papers or advertisement that show up on your lawn. And if you don't have a mail slot, have them get your mail. Don't do the mail stop....not all postal carriers are 'honest'.

Fake camera's? They do work. If they see them. We had an incident on our block where a dirt bag was getting into unlocked cars. The 'self appointed' neighborhood watch 'dude' came by to tell me about it.....I checked my video cameras and sure enough...I saw him. I picked him up as he was checking the door of the neighbors car across the street...he walked back across the street to the sidewalk in front of my house. Just as he got to the rear of my wife's car, he hesitated like he was about to walk around and try the doors....and then I think he saw my cameras....and just kept walking.

Of course, real cameras are the best way. I had my house tented over the Thanksgiving weekend....and I had alerts set up for any motion. I knew when the guys showed up to take down the tent. In fact, I watched them from OR on my phone. Love that Lorex system.

 

[Teenager with old tools]

Lights on timer and tv on timer during day. Timer for motion sensor light at night so it can come on. Have a recording play "go away..." play when motion sensor comes on


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[oilslick]

This is not true. I know for a fact that the police only come when there are gunshots. Then you could wait 10-30 minutes for them to arrive.

It's a great time to be a drunk driver here... We had one hit a bridge in front of my house the other day and the Fire Department cleaned up the mess, (including the cases of empty beer bottles that were ditched in the street) treated/released the injured, the tow trucks moved the wreckage, and friends came and picked up all the passengers before we even saw any patrol cars. The driver just left the scene. ... we live 1 block from the police station...

Your stuff is vey entertaining, please tell more stories of interesting things that us small town people would get a kick out of!

 

[CreekRat]

Thanks for the great responses. I think I'll skip the camera's for a while and focus on hardening up the place.

I learned today that ALL the shop doors are unlocked (make that were unlocked). They had very good small town, old people reasons for this but we explained that times have changed and we'd stop by and lock things down.

We'll definitely go with the light and TV timers, that and locking the doors should be a little help.

 

[Marctrees]

Much good advice above.

For the price, fake cameras, AND signs, are the best bang for buck.

Detterance, and NOT standing out from surrounding homes is the best.

QUIET. Quiet.... quiet.

Blending in to the neighborhood.

THAT, AND the close up detterence, will handle most potential transgressors. Marc

 

[Marctrees]

Study your state" castle" laws, and then , AFTER that, spend a few nights in the Shop w your Glock, or as well Old School S&W.

Mossberg works also.

Help cleanup your neighborhood.

Oh, and I live 25 miles out rural from my closest town,Deep east TX, at the LA border.

That's what most folks figure here. Marc

 

[JRC3]

Study your state" castle" laws, and then , AFTER that, spend a few nights in the Shop w your Glock, or as well Old School S&W.

Help cleanup your neighborhood. Marc

Worked for Paul Kersey, but I'll pass.

 

[Marctrees]

Worked for Paul Kersey, but I'll pass.

Awesome movies, BUT Dang, the probable court time and Lawyer $ , Lurch growllllllll.

Marc

 

[Marctrees]

Paul Kersey, Clint, yaa.
And Andy Taylor, although very different.

Years later, Bruce Willis, and then again lately, Mr. Clint.

That's what kids learn from.

Or, SHOULD learn from anyway.

I did. Marc