ᐅ Surveillance Cameras: Pros and Cons

For the reasons mentioned, I consider cameras to be a waste of money. The same amount of money is better invested in higher-quality windows with improved burglary protection.

I once read a report stating that the presence of surveillance cameras significantly deters offenders. However, I don’t remember where I saw it. There are certainly a thousand different opinions on this. I am also considering getting one for the patio area. Whether it ultimately serves as a deterrent or, if not, can at least help with investigations remains to be seen.

I don’t need cameras for my house. A truly effective system connected to a security company would be too expensive compared to what there is to protect; amateur equipment is useless. Deterrence is just a sales pitch and a placebo for peace of mind.

Not letting yourself be scared is the best solution. Good neighbors help protect as well. For the average person, mechanical security measures that take time to bypass are sufficient.

Install cameras if you enjoy the technology—that can make it worthwhile, although for different reasons.

seat88 schrieb:

We also have cameras but no money

Great, but only if the burglars realize that inside the house and then get frustrated and smash everything up.

HilfeHilfe schrieb:

There are tons of cameras at our station. Nobody cares.

I strongly dislike public surveillance, but then again, I’m not “nobody.”

Stefan2.84 schrieb:

I once read a report stating that the presence of surveillance cameras significantly deters criminals. However, I don’t recall where I read it. There are probably a thousand different opinions on this. I’m also considering getting one for the patio area. Whether it ultimately serves as a real deterrent or, if not, contributes to investigation remains to be seen.

Burglars will probably be able to tell the difference between professional systems and some cheap knockoff or the trendy cloud-based setups.

Stefan2.84 schrieb:

I’m also considering getting one for the patio area.

For the camera to be a deterrent, it needs to be visible before intruders are already in the garden. Once they are caught on camera, they’ll just keep going.

Tassimat schrieb:

The same money is better invested in higher-quality windows for burglary protection.

Definitely. Without at least RC2N rated windows, there’s no point in starting with cameras—unless, of course, their main purpose is something other than burglary protection and deterrence.

Stefan2.84 schrieb:

I once read a report saying that the presence of surveillance cameras significantly deters offenders. But I can’t remember where it was. There are certainly thousands of different opinions on this.

Yes, even here in this thread there are various opinions. I’m also of the view that cameras don’t really deter and rarely help solve cases. At most, they might discourage opportunistic thieves; other groups involved in such activities are, in my opinion, actually attracted by cameras.

untergasse43 schrieb:

But very few invest in quality, because the cheap cameras from China for 99 euros already offer 4K and so forth. That’s why videos are often available after break-ins, but usually they’re absolutely useless.

Well, TV also suggests that nowadays it’s enough to hang a camera from manufacturer XY and you can watch everything live in at least 1080p (Full HD) and even communicate with the intruder.