What do you think about using video cameras for securing your own property?
What do you think about using the cameras for known ''problems'' in public areas (such as vandalism, grafitti, harrasment, alcohol abuse, illegal drug sales, violation of stop signs, speeding,...)?
I have been using security cameras for my property for over eight years. (It also makes a good ''anunciator'' if I am busy in another room and don't know if I should be interupted to answer the door). The cost of the cameras has become fairly affordable. Even the taping has become affordable with VCR's selling for under $100 and 6 hr VHS tapes available for under $1.
By using the ''timer'' mode on the recorders, it is possible to tape 12 hrs a day un-attended from one camera using 2 VCR's. If there is no indication of any ''problem'' the tapes can simply be re-used. If there is ''consern'' about a possible problem, the tapes can be reviewed in 1/6 of the recording time by pressing the ''fast forward'' while the tape is playing.
By using a low cost (for example obsolete demonstration model) Camcorder, the camera can display the time and date, and can easily be plugged into the VCR's without requiring the more expensive tape.
The police have accepted information we provide readily. So has the city procecutor. But the police are not willing to install their own cameras due to:
1) cost
2) training, maintenance, and monitoring personnel
3) fear of public responce to what might be considered a ''first step'' to a police state
4) questions about privacy issues
5) questions about ''illegal search and seizure''
6) questions about whether a ''tape'' is admissable evidence (it is if it is part of an individuals ''testimony'' of what they witnessed; it may not be ''helpful'' if unattended and resolution is lacking).
7) Worry about potential lawsuits from people that ''assume'' the cameras mean ''safety and imediate responce'' from 24 hour monitoring. (We would need to make clear that equipment is not constantly staffed).
Are the benifits worth the costs and the risks? What is it costing us in terms of collisions on our streets by not having observation and documentation? We cannot get all way stops without documentation of the past collisions, and yet often police reports are not filed as people are in a hurry to leave.
Let me know what you think. The police stated they will only install cameras if the city Council directs them to, and the police will not ask the Council.
Should the neighborhood install our own cameras?
Do you want help setting up a camera for the security of your property?
What do you think about using the cameras for known ''problems'' in public areas (such as vandalism, grafitti, harrasment, alcohol abuse, illegal drug sales, violation of stop signs, speeding,...)?
I have been using security cameras for my property for over eight years. (It also makes a good ''anunciator'' if I am busy in another room and don't know if I should be interupted to answer the door). The cost of the cameras has become fairly affordable. Even the taping has become affordable with VCR's selling for under $100 and 6 hr VHS tapes available for under $1.
By using the ''timer'' mode on the recorders, it is possible to tape 12 hrs a day un-attended from one camera using 2 VCR's. If there is no indication of any ''problem'' the tapes can simply be re-used. If there is ''consern'' about a possible problem, the tapes can be reviewed in 1/6 of the recording time by pressing the ''fast forward'' while the tape is playing.
By using a low cost (for example obsolete demonstration model) Camcorder, the camera can display the time and date, and can easily be plugged into the VCR's without requiring the more expensive tape.
The police have accepted information we provide readily. So has the city procecutor. But the police are not willing to install their own cameras due to:
1) cost
2) training, maintenance, and monitoring personnel
3) fear of public responce to what might be considered a ''first step'' to a police state
4) questions about privacy issues
5) questions about ''illegal search and seizure''
6) questions about whether a ''tape'' is admissable evidence (it is if it is part of an individuals ''testimony'' of what they witnessed; it may not be ''helpful'' if unattended and resolution is lacking).
7) Worry about potential lawsuits from people that ''assume'' the cameras mean ''safety and imediate responce'' from 24 hour monitoring. (We would need to make clear that equipment is not constantly staffed).
Are the benifits worth the costs and the risks? What is it costing us in terms of collisions on our streets by not having observation and documentation? We cannot get all way stops without documentation of the past collisions, and yet often police reports are not filed as people are in a hurry to leave.
Let me know what you think. The police stated they will only install cameras if the city Council directs them to, and the police will not ask the Council.
Should the neighborhood install our own cameras?
Do you want help setting up a camera for the security of your property?
