Foil a Felon

This is the age of information. Everyone tries to gather as much information as possible. We have twenty four hour a day newscasts, online updates, and never ending coverage of everything that happens in the world. We are constantly urged to be alert, and to notice details. TV cop shows highlight the need for surveillance and record- keeping in the solving of crimes. Everyone in our society receives these "Keep your eyes glued," messages. Everyone even includes criminals.

Although it's a generalization, most thieves belong in one of two categories; some thieves are driven by their addictions; some are driven by a sense of superiority to everyone else. An addict is trying to feed his addictions while the other is trying to feed his own desire to outwit others. He's the con man, the trickster, the smooth talker. This fellow can rob you blind, lying right to your face and stringing you along. He's not the guy that will steal your toaster.

The addict is a desperate person. He's sizing up your property to see if he can rush in, grab something quickly, and then make a clean getaway. He's looking for a way to avoid detection by nosy neighbors, passersby, and casual observers. The best way that a thief can avoid attracting unwanted attention is by finding an entrance that is not easily seen. Some homeowners make this easy by growing shrubs or dense trees right in front of their windows. All that he has to do is get quickly behind the foliage and start working on the window. If he finds a house that has been built in a way that windows or doors can't be seen by neighbors or passersby, in he'll go. And out he'll come, carrying away your TV and your peace of mind.

Another easy mode of home entry is through back laneways. Many homes were built long ago, at a time when driveways were not automatically part of the planning. Many of these homes have a rear entrance with a garage added. Not only can he sneak off with the contents of your garage, but he can also examine your house at leisure to find the best back entrance. As long as no one sees him acting surreptitiously on your property, chances are he'll get away with the theft.

There are two things that even a strung out junkie will avoid, if possible. He'd rather not deal with dogs. Whether it is a tiny yappy lap dog, or a slavering Pit Bull who hasn't been fed lately, dogs cause trouble for thieves. They'll bark and run around excitedly getting their owners' attention and clearly showing the general area where the intruder is hiding. And that's if he doesn't get a hold of the thief. If he does, all of his territorial instincts will kick in and heaven help the thief. Some dog owners claim that they're not liable for any damage done to the criminal, providing they have posted a sign clearly stating "Beware of Dog." Others say that if you post such a sign you're admitting that you have a dangerous animal on the property. This admission may lead to charges that you failed to protect the thief from your big wild dog. Some people avoid the whole issue by erecting signs and organizing a sound track of barking.

The second thing that thieves dislike when looking at a potentially easy home entry, is firearms, or evidence of them. Stickers on the windows, which alert the robber to your membership in the National Rifle Association, may deter him from attempting entry. However, firearms are valuable, and are easily sold in the shady underworld where the habitual thief spends his time and money. If he thinks it's worth the effort, he may watch this house very carefully over the next few days. Then, when he's sure that everyone has left the residence he may be brave enough to go in for the firearms.

You may think that the common thief is a dying breed in this high tech, information age. But because he's a desperate person with a powerful need for money, a determined thief can still get into your house unless you try to look at your house through his eyes. Then you must take steps to keep him out.

Hidden Cameras and Home Security

Hidden video cameras, also known as “nanny cams” or “spy cams”, are tiny cameras designed to be concealed in almost any conceivable item, from a shirt button to a houseplant. Since the advent of 911, this type of camera has become a security and monitoring tool used in many public places like airports, railway terminals, shopping malls, or any other public place where monitoring the activity of people is important to security and crime prevention.

Hidden cameras also provide a means for homeowners to observe activity around their home without the camera being visible. These cameras are useful in keeping an “eye” on the nanny or babysitter when parents leave the care of their children to these individuals. Recently developed remote monitors make it possible to observe activity in side your house while you are away. For example, a homeowner can monitor activity from the office or any other location with Internet access. When connected to a recorder, hidden cameras can record that activity.

Hidden cameras are produced in wired and wireless designs. Wireless cameras require batteries to operate. Wired devices require hardwiring to a power source. The advantage of wireless systems is obvious. Wireless systems continue to operate even in the event of a power failure.

The technology used in most hidden cameras is the Charge Coupled Device, or CCD. CCDs transfer images into electronic impulses and send that information to a monitor, recorder, or both. The formats for these cameras vary from ¼” to 1”. The most common formats used by homeowners are the 1/4” or 1/3” sizes. CCDs are relatively inexpensive and provide good images.

Hidden cameras come in two basic color model types. The black and white model performs better in low light applications and is less costly than the color models. The color model on the other hand can transmit color images, making identification and description much easier and accurate. High quality cameras are able to alternate between black & white and color as the homeowner desires. However, with the improvements in security technology and decreasing prices for surveillance cameras, the color models are more frequently chosen over the black and white models. In fact, some vendors no longer distribute the black and white surveillance cameras.

The use of hidden cameras is a controversial subject and there are laws governing their use. In some places hidden cameras are totally banned or are against the law to operate unless certain criteria are met. It is important for anyone considering the purchase of a surveillance camera to check with local laws and regulations regarding the use of surveillance cameras where they live or work.

Hidden cameras can be very effective for people who own businesses, and should be seen as a necessity especially by shop owners. It would give you peace of mind to know what’s going on in the shop when you are not in. Here are some unique Hidden Camera devices that can be useful; one of them is the SONY dream machine that can identify concealed actions in your dorm room or bedroom. The other is the Universal EXIT Sign surveillance camera that can be fitted without difficulty and catch-thieving employees easily.

An effective hidden camera is the Down-View Smoke Detector that is very functional when set up on the ceiling. It can be mounted at various spots like stock receiving doors and above a cash register and ensures that employees or customers do not steal from you.

Like these there are many other unique hidden camera devices like thermostat-hidden camera, Neon Blue Wall Clock device, Emergency Lights device, Flower Pot cam, Motion Detector camera and plenty more.