Hidden Security Camera System

[Namecips]

I wasn't sure where to post this question. Thought this would be the best place.

Backstory: We bought our house 5 years ago. Two months after we moved in the police knocked on our door. Long story short, our new neighbor's son had robbed us twice. He went in the back door when my mother was walking our dogs(puppies) in the side yard. He got caught robbing another house and confessed to robbing us as part of a plea deal. Said he was addicted to painkillers. He spent 2 years in jail.

Recently I've noticed a few things missing. The final straw was when we were packing for spring break and mine and my son's Beats wireless headphones were missing. Did a walk through the house and noticed 20-30 video games missing too.

Anyway, I am looking to put in a hidden camera system to see who is coming in the house when we're not home.

Does anyone have any recommendations?

I've looked at a few systems, Blink and Netgear Arlo. I want to be able to receive notification on my phone and see who's in there.

Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated.

 

[CoogarXR]

Don't you lock your doors/windows? How are people just coming in and you not knowing?

 

[kd3pc]

be careful where you place them and if they have "activity" lights that the would be perp can see. We put a couple in the in-laws home to catch a family member and the indicator lights gave the camera away and one went missing before it could even be used.

Never underestimate the criminal mind....or the family member mind - and god forbid when they are one and the same, and a pathological liar.

 

[tjdux]

Nanny cam... the ones hidden in books or stuffed animals and things are very hard to see. But as far as I know they dont usually come with wifi or connectivity that will allow remote moniter and motion alarms.

Most any cheap DVR system works great anymore for casual monitoring and security but they are worthless if the crook had face covered.

If you think it's still the neihbor maybe look into getting some placed high outside like under the eves of the house to see where the theif comes from or goes to.

Tip about drug user theives... They all have drug user friends and they report easy to steal from places (like yours) so it may not be him but be from him.

Definitely dont advertise your cameras. Unless it's law in your area make sure they are a suprise.

Signiture; Check out my garage progress http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=352703

 

[pcmeiners]

"Definitely dont advertise your cameras. Unless it's law in your area make sure they are a suprise."

In the 70's I dealt with junkies, they can kill for a dime. Best bet is to not let anyone know you have cameras at all, have video storage on the Internet. If confronted, then tell the dope head he is on video.

 

[BillK]

Don't you lock your doors/windows? How are people just coming in and you not knowing?

I was thinking the same thing. Someone would have to break something to get in my house if I wasn't home.

 

[Parrothead]

Don't you lock your doors/windows? How are people just coming in and you not knowing?

I was thinking the same thing. Someone would have to break something to get in my house if I wasn't home.

Right there with you. How on earth are people getting in? I lock the house up when I go on a walk.

 

[sja888]

Have an old iphone of android? Get the Presence app. Its free and turns on with motion, no indicator light, sends the video to your email, and will alarm you when the camera is activated.

 

[Viper98912]

Umm lock the doors?

Regarding the activity lights, I actually prefer them to be on. It gives people a visual that you're not messing around. In the end, security systems are only deterrents. People who want something will take it regardless of what you have. So I advertise my deterrents in an effort they think twice.

 

[A**holes Garage]

I'd mount a few cameras outside in full view so the perp knows he's being recorded before he even get to your house, and mount a few on the inside. They're a deterrent.
Make sure your recorder is in an inconvenient spot to access, lock it up in a NVR box in the attic, etc.

Lock your door and windows.

 

[markzrt1]

Some folks are just clueless when it comes to personal/property security. You have to be proactive, not reactive. Google crime triangle...desire, ability, opportunity. By not locking your doors you are giving them the opportunity.

 

[mcfly107]

I'm cheap so i use what I have. I use my trail cams (deer hunting). I have one set in the garage and two in the yard facing entry areas. During the off season they are on sale. The higher end ones can be viewed from your phone or tablet. But unless you are close by your not making it home before the burglar leaves and most times neither will the police. Most come with no flash IR and can be set to record burst photo, video, or set to take pictures every so often. Mine (all the same model) have a .5 second delay from motion to snapping a picture. It runs on 6 AA batteries and depending on use can last up to a month.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Namecips]

Don't you lock your doors/windows? How are people just coming in and you not knowing?

Guess I should expand a little. Yes, we lock our doors. She was walking the puppies in our yard, so she didn't feel the need to lock the door while she's in the yard. However, she developed a pattern of walking around the side of the house with them and that's when he went in the unlocked back door.

We live in a small safe suburb. No one would lock their doors while still in the yard.

 

[CoogarXR]

I'd mount a few cameras outside in full view so the perp knows he's being recorded before he even get to your house, and mount a few on the inside. They're a deterrent.
Make sure your recorder is in an inconvenient spot to access, lock it up in a NVR box in the attic, etc.

Lock your door and windows.

Be careful putting your DVR/NVR in the attic- I tried that in my garage and it overheated. Same thing happened at my Dad's place. Even in Ohio, an uninsulated attic can be way too hot in the summer time.