Why should I bother with Security Camera Systems anyway?

This is a question I’ve heard time and time again when discussing the cost of installing a mid to high-end security cameras. The initial investment is higher than many customers expect, and they wonder why they should bother with a system in the first place.

Security camera systems provide several great services beyond simple incident playback, both in home and business applications. These include:

• Deal documentation
• Increase Safety by reducing break-in likelihood
• Live monitoring/notification
• Evidence
• Convenience – Package arrived
• Increases security for your home and family
• Peace of mind

Deal documentation

Over the last few years, it’s become more common practice for lenders to record document signings. I definitely recommend consulting a professional for this application, because there are audio recording laws that have to be adhered to, and they vary by state.

This is most commonly seen in medium to large size car dealerships.

Increase Safety by reducing break-in likelihood

Criminals aren’t stupid. They’re still people. When they’re considering a place to knock over, they’re going to avoid the houses with security cameras, or security system signs in the yard.

This is where you can put yourself and your whole neighborhood at an advantage.

One house is all it takes in a neighborhood with good coverage of the public neighborhood areas to deter these types of criminals to some extent.

Live monitoring/notification

There’s a few types of notification and live monitoring you can have with a camera system. Many of these systems are integrated with security alarm systems, which have live people monitoring for alerts from your system and will contact you by phone in the event of a problem.

There’s also ‘smart home’ apps like Wyze which has many of the same features, but with no monthly fee for notification. The door contacts can send a push notification to your phone and let you know when doors to your home open and close, and it keeps a log of them.

The Wyze system is very inexpensive and has no monthly fee associated, just know they aren’t really a ‘security’ system–They just have all the same features in their ‘smart home’ system. I still use it as the cheapest security option, because cameras and door contacts that notify you on your phone is better than nothing.

Evidence

This is the most common use for security cameras, and also the one you hope you never have to see. Something bad happened, and now you need to gather evidence to find out exactly what happened, and who did it.

Having a good security camera for the situation, and a good quality camera is more important for this task than just having the cheapest option. I’m not calling for throwing the highest cost camera in, I’m just saying that we need to pick the right camera for the job.

A 2MP (1080p) camera is great for a hallway for this, but not watching a whole parking lot.

Convenience – Package arrived, Pizza is here!

I actually find myself using the camera primarily to see when packages arrive, or food delivery is coming to the door. It lets me get to the door before my dog starts barking and annoying the neighbors.

Being an apartment dweller, I am constantly worrying about how loud I am for the neighbors. Especially with a dog. This gives me a little more of an edge to keep my dog from bothering the neighbors.

Increases security for your home and family

When you’re not at home, it’s nice to know that you’ll be notified when something abnormal happens at your house. Did a door open? Was there motion in your kitchen when no one should be home?

With a camera system you can be notified, then immediately open the app and view your cameras, to know exactly what’s happening at your home real time.

Peace of mind

All of the features above combined give homeowners, renters, and business owners peace of mind. These positives are the bullet items that people look at for why they invest in a security camera system, but the reality is that there’s usually a percipitating event.

Most home owners and renters do not expect to be in a situation where video evidence would have been helpful, and it’s usually once a situation arises that the cameras are finally installed.