I keep change in two (usually) unlocked cars as bait. If the change is gone, someone has been going through the cars. A while back the change was gone. If I had

I keep change in two (usually) unlocked cars as bait. If the change is gone, someone has been going through the cars. A while back the change was gone. If I had video footage of that, would the cops pursue the case? Hell no. If I received a notification from a camera/sensor, would I confront or possibly shoot (legal in this jurisdiction) a petty thief? Hell no. Anyone who is stealing loose change out of cars is desperate to the point that they do not care anymore. Around the time the bait disappeared, the police were pursuing a suspect from house to house at 2am. If it was the same person, and I had proof, stealing from parked cars would be the least of anyone's concern. What are the odds your local police are going to take your package theft footage and actually pursue the thief? Even for more serious crimes, it's questionable whether they will seek (or use) camera evidence, or be successful if they do. I know of an armed robbery attempt that occurred close to home, and to my knowledge no inquiries were made regarding camera evidence (I was a witness). I can think of plenty of concrete uses for surveillance cameras, sure, but I'd say the costs vastly outweigh the benefits for most people using them today. Check out some online social (fearmongering) sites like Nextdoor some time - it's nothing but busybodies speculating that the person parked on the street is casing their house or stealing packages. Quick, report them to the cops. Oops. The local cops no longer accept 'suspicious person or vehicle' reports unless there is a crime in progress.