4 ms·

>As it turns out, many people use these security cams to secure their homes and don't want thieves to know that they're being watched I don't get this argument

>As it turns out, many people use these security cams to secure their homes and don't want thieves to know that they're being watched I don't get this argument. The whole reason the fake security camera market exists is to deter crime by giving the illusion of being actively watched; if you want to play spy and switch it off to prove a person's true nature it is your business, but at the end of the day the crime has still been committed and your stuff is still gone

deleted 7y ago
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TheChaplain 7y ago
Indeed. And if someone have uninvited people in their home, I think they have bigger problems than the camera light...
ssully 7y ago
I think it's a mix of people who like using their camera's to spy on family/guests/neighbors, and people who just genuinely do not know the camera works better as a deterrent then as evidence.
- nickthegreek 7y ago
  If this was an exterior camera, I would agree. But if someone is already in my home, I feel like them seeing the camera light isn't going to make them turn around and leave but it could lead to them destroying my camera and then I would lose evidence of their next moves. Maybe the camera should contain a switch allowing me to choose which mode the LED should work in (on when being viewed, always off, or always on).
  - asdf21 7y ago
    We have roommates who leave messes in the kitchen and blame others, have overnights guests more frequently than its allowed, etc. Don't even get me started on the uses for kids.
throebd 7y ago
Cameras are expensive, it is advertising your house is full of goodies.
- kawfey 7y ago
  No cameras must mean no goodies, then?
  - notafraudster 7y ago
    This doesn't follow. A camera is sufficient to demonstrate there exists value inside the house (value being subjective both the owner and the beholder in this case), but not necessary.
ttmb 7y ago
The camera inside my building is not for deterrence - the burglar is already inside at this point and will not be deterred. Either way, as you note, my stuff is gone. If their attention is drawn to an internal security camera by a light, then they may disable it or otherwise take extra steps to conceal themselves or avoid the camera. If they do not notice the camera, I may get better/more footage for identification purposes.
marklyon 7y ago
How many cameras do you pass each day that have a glowing/flashing indicator on them? None of the commercial cameras in my workplace or condo building have lights. This change is extremely frustrating to me. I actually got valuable footage from my Dropcam Pro (now Nest) that I would not have recorded otherwise when someone was admitted to my apartment unsupervised in order to perform a task. The Dropcam was on a shelf with a lot of other knickknacks and had a great view of my desk, living room and kitchen. The guy actually picked up the camera and called his accomplice over to look. Got a great image of both of them. The light was off and they decided it was broken or not plugged in and put it back - where I then had a clear view of them collecting my personal documents, mail and financial records so they could take photographs for later use. After searching, they found where I stored checks and credit cards that weren’t in use. They took random checks out of the checkbook and photographed the front and back of the card. They then completed the work they’d been sent to do. I noticed something was amiss when I came home, but nothing was obviously missing. Had I not had the video, the two would never have been arrested and convicted. Those responsible for admitting the duo would also likely have avoided their liability, having clear video of the incident allowed me to quickly resolve that claim (and effectively address the more than $200k in false charges, plus tax fraud, plus identity theft that resulted).
tomp 7y ago
It's much easier to avoid and/or remove the camera if it's shining.

deleted 7y ago

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TheChaplain 7y ago

Indeed. And if someone have uninvited people in their home, I think they have bigger problems than the camera light...

ssully 7y ago

I think it's a mix of people who like using their camera's to spy on family/guests/neighbors, and people who just genuinely do not know the camera works better as a deterrent then as evidence.

nickthegreek 7y ago
If this was an exterior camera, I would agree. But if someone is already in my home, I feel like them seeing the camera light isn't going to make them turn around and leave but it could lead to them destroying my camera and then I would lose evidence of their next moves. Maybe the camera should contain a switch allowing me to choose which mode the LED should work in (on when being viewed, always off, or always on).
- asdf21 7y ago
  We have roommates who leave messes in the kitchen and blame others, have overnights guests more frequently than its allowed, etc. Don't even get me started on the uses for kids.

throebd 7y ago

Cameras are expensive, it is advertising your house is full of goodies.

kawfey 7y ago
No cameras must mean no goodies, then?
- notafraudster 7y ago
  This doesn't follow. A camera is sufficient to demonstrate there exists value inside the house (value being subjective both the owner and the beholder in this case), but not necessary.

ttmb 7y ago

The camera inside my building is not for deterrence - the burglar is already inside at this point and will not be deterred. Either way, as you note, my stuff is gone. If their attention is drawn to an internal security camera by a light, then they may disable it or otherwise take extra steps to conceal themselves or avoid the camera. If they do not notice the camera, I may get better/more footage for identification purposes.

marklyon 7y ago

How many cameras do you pass each day that have a glowing/flashing indicator on them? None of the commercial cameras in my workplace or condo building have lights. This change is extremely frustrating to me. I actually got valuable footage from my Dropcam Pro (now Nest) that I would not have recorded otherwise when someone was admitted to my apartment unsupervised in order to perform a task. The Dropcam was on a shelf with a lot of other knickknacks and had a great view of my desk, living room and kitchen. The guy actually picked up the camera and called his accomplice over to look. Got a great image of both of them. The light was off and they decided it was broken or not plugged in and put it back - where I then had a clear view of them collecting my personal documents, mail and financial records so they could take photographs for later use. After searching, they found where I stored checks and credit cards that weren’t in use. They took random checks out of the checkbook and photographed the front and back of the card. They then completed the work they’d been sent to do. I noticed something was amiss when I came home, but nothing was obviously missing. Had I not had the video, the two would never have been arrested and convicted. Those responsible for admitting the duo would also likely have avoided their liability, having clear video of the incident allowed me to quickly resolve that claim (and effectively address the more than $200k in false charges, plus tax fraud, plus identity theft that resulted).

tomp 7y ago

It's much easier to avoid and/or remove the camera if it's shining.