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I've gotten some PMs asking for details of my CCTV security system.
I have a basic 4ch DVR camera system by NightOwl. I bought it from a major online electronics retailer. You can google it for specifics. The DVR it came with has enough memory to record nonstop on all channels for 2 years before it overwrites anything. Reason I went with them was:
1. Inexpensive compared to other systems (under $300)
2. IR night vision.
3. IP remote viewing (iPhone app is free)
4. pretty smart software (motion detection, scheduled monitoring, etc.)
5. live, free, personal 24/7 support. (this is actually VERY useful)
6. No monthly fees!
I have multiple cameras mounted under the eaves of my home. They are pointed at all entry points of my house plus the front yard and driveway. It's pretty cool since I have it setup to send me an email with a picture everytime it senses motion. Wife, Cat, USPS, FedEx, neighbors, strangers, etc. The iPhone app allows me to view a live stream anytime on 3G/4G. It does not have audio.
Overall it's a great system and I'll never go without one again. It does exactly what I bought it to do: Deter potential thieves from approaching the house, and document everyone who does. The only cons I have with my systems are:
1. The motion detection is VERY sensitive. I have it on the lowest setting, and it still picks up squirrels and birds.
2. The image quality leaves a bit more to be desired. Color is askew, and it's basic 480 line resolution.
(1) So the police actually printed your crime scene?
(2) Dorothy's thieves could have been sloppy compared to yours. But we'll never know.
The officer asked me if I wanted the detectives to come look for prints. Based on the crime (which looked like a quick grab and dash) and the value of the items missing ($200 worth of hand tools and $100 ipod radio), I told him I just wanted the crime reported and on record.
We didnt get prints either. The first time it happened, I called the cops and they came and made a report. A few weeks later, the detective called and I gave a statement over the phone.
the second time it happened, the detective came. There was no point in doing prints as our own prints were on the door handle.
Hopefully they do this to someone who is taking out, and shoots them dead. Sounds like a big price to pay, but if these people know they're stealing from people, causing thousands of dollars in damage just to get a few hundred in copper out of a single home.....screw them.
You think LI is bad?...Pfft. try to install commercial copper jobs in East NY or in the Bronx! Its so bad that many companies are painting the copper pipe black to the thieves think its black iron pipe and leave it alone.
A few months back, we had a team of idiots come by where I work in the middle of the night and rip all our ornate gutter downspouts (presumably made with copper) off the building. The grounds staff wisely replaced them with painted PVC, which cost next to nothing and is indistinguishable from the real thing unless you look closely.
Quote:
Originally Posted by kayo_michael
I have a basic 4ch DVR camera system by NightOwl. I bought it from a major online electronics retailer. You can google it for specifics. The DVR it came with has enough memory to record nonstop on all channels for 2 years before it overwrites anything.
Do you have the DVR in a secure place? While a camera system will deter most thieves, I imagine someone really desperate would probably just steal the DVR too.
A few months back, we had a team of idiots come by where I work in the middle of the night and rip all our ornate gutter downspouts (presumably made with copper) off the building. The grounds staff wisely replaced them with painted PVC, which cost next to nothing and is indistinguishable from the real thing unless you look closely.
Do you have the DVR in a secure place? While a camera system will deter most thieves, I imagine someone really desperate would probably just steal the DVR too.
The beauty of the IP capable CCTV system, is that they may walk off with the DVR but my inbox will be filled with pictures of them in the act. What's even more clever is to cut the power at the street or utility pole, even before they approach the house. My alarm will still go off (battery backup) so hopefully that will deter them, but who responds to house alarms anyways???
In the end though, my house just needs to be harder to break into than my neighbor's.
Being a retired cop I can tell you that fingerprints are nearly impossible to lift from most surfaces. In addition, if an individual touches the same surface more than once, the prints blur so lifting a clean print is impossible. People watch too much CSI.
As somebody who lives in blue ridge I would seriously look at your neighbors. I am on horseblock everyday and cannot figure out how somebody can do that. I can only think very late at night. There are cops every day up and down that road. Its a very very busy road .
Its not a bad area.
I would seriously look at your neighbors. Also maybe look into not having a forsale sign in the front? If you want to pm me the house or atleast the mls number I can take a quick glance at the house and make sure your house is ok when I pas it.
Ps no matter what the area if the house is vacant with very long grass and advertisements piling up on the stoop it will get broken into. Even in high end neighborhoods.
As somebody who lives in blue ridge I would seriously look at your neighbors. I am on horseblock everyday and cannot figure out how somebody can do that. I can only think very late at night. There are cops every day up and down that road. Its a very very busy road .
Its not a bad area.
I would seriously look at your neighbors. Also maybe look into not having a forsale sign in the front? If you want to pm me the house or atleast the mls number I can take a quick glance at the house and make sure your house is ok when I pas it.
Ps no matter what the area if the house is vacant with very long grass and advertisements piling up on the stoop it will get broken into. Even in high end neighborhoods.
Cameras are a definite deterrent.
It's an easy easy crime. Realtor tips them off about vacancy, they don't need to base target on a mowed lawn or appearance. They KNOW it's empty. Van drops them off. They pick a lock or window lock. Spinning pipe cutter makes zero noise and cuts copper pipe in less than a minute. Someone watches out, van comes back, load in 2-3 minutes...gone. Quick, quiet and easy. They probably do a dozen houses in a night. Our politicians should be as efficient as organized crime.
It's an easy easy crime. Realtor tips them off about vacancy, they don't need to base target on a mowed lawn or appearance. They KNOW it's empty. Van drops them off. They pick a lock or window lock. Spinning pipe cutter makes zero noise and cuts copper pipe in less than a minute. Someone watches out, van comes back, load in 2-3 minutes...gone. Quick, quiet and easy. They probably do a dozen houses in a night. Our politicians should be as efficient as organized crime.
Do you really think there are some realtors in Suffolk County in cahoots with these dirtbag vandals?
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