2010 January

The most important achievement of a burglar is to steal into and out of a house without being detected. They really strive to achieve for this perfection when they come to work in our houses. With a suitable home security surveillance system installed in your home, the burglar will have to be a bit more creative to stay undetected. While a video cam might not deter a burglar, you might as well make life harder for them and make them bleed for everything they steal.

The benefit of a having a visible security camera installed in your house is to make burglars hesitate in targeting your property. Burglars will assume that the security camera is just a small part of a more complex security system that can ruin their night at anytime. If the burglar was less determined and diligent, your house would most likely be left alone.

The security camera will record the view of that part of your house that you want secured. Aside from the images, a video security camera will also record the sounds that reach it. If you happen to be watching those cameras while a burglary is actually about to happen, you could call in the police and have the thief arrested before he can walk 10 steps into your home. Security cameras outside the house will protect your walls from vandalism and clue you in to any suspicious characters constantly watching your house.

Security cameras are installed in two ways. The security cameras that are meant to be visible are overt surveillance cameras. These cameras serve to witness any crime and act as a deterrent to the perpetration of a crime. On the other hand, covert security cameras are supposed to catch thieves who are commonly present in your environment. A good example of commonly seen people are employees in the office, housekeepers, gardeners, maids and other people who are trusted with access to an office or a home.

An advantage of hidden cameras is that people don’t know where they are. They may be told of the existence of the covert security camera but, since they don’t know what it watches, they won’t know where to do their stealing. Most would be thieves would rather leave things alone than get caught in the act by hidden video cameras.

The cost of security camera surveillance systems may vary depending on the level of technology and sophistication of the devices. The more common cameras are similar to regular video camcorders that are simply mounted onto walls. You can set the system so that you can monitor your house even while you are working in your office. The more sophisticated home security surveillance systems are connected to computers to automate the security system. You may want to schedule cameras to function when you are out of the house; and turn them off in some places when you enter your house.

Motion detectors can also be used to automatically turn the cameras on whenever a motion trigger is caught by the detectors. Aside from automation, security systems that use computers have more space to record the videos.

Security systems range between a few hundred to several thousand dollars. Don’t let the prices scare you away. What is more important than the systems themselves is the peace of mind that you will have knowing that, if anything should happen, you will be able to give the police some evidence in case someone robs your house.

By: Eamon Carlyle

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Are you inquisitive, discreet, and friendly? Do you like to court danger and are you fast on your feet? You can go for a career as a private eye. With related training and a high school diploma, you can make a go of it. But first, get a surveillance camera as a partner.

Become a detective

You can be in a lucrative business if you have what it takes to become a detective. No worries, you don’t have need a Ph.D., M.A., or a college degree to follow in the footsteps of James Bond. With rigorous training, and knowledge on the legalities involving espionage can jumpstart your career. Of course, you’ll need modern-day spy gadgets to give your career a boost.

A private detective needs a pal to be with him 24 hours a day when he is on a case. With a covert surveillance camera, he can track his target and have a record of the target’s activities. For efficient investigative work, he needs other gadgets that will require quite an investment since these items do not come cheap.

You may need the latest model surveillance camera, or if you want the full regalia, you can get the snake camera or swallow a camera inside a pill! You can disguise your cameras in spy glasses, clocks, and camcorders the size of a matchbox.

As a detective, you have to get your creative juices flowing all the time. People are becoming smart, as well as your average miscreant. They’ll know what to avoid and how to avoid detection and apprehension.

Why need people?

Put on that charm and turn it full blast when you need information in the right places. Whether you’re working for an agency or working solo, you’ll need people aside from your surveillance camera. Information coming from the right places can help you with your detective work.

The first person you should befriend is a lawyer. His advice is indispensable if you want to avoid loopholes and legal problems. A criminal lawyer and a divorce lawyer should top your list. Of course, don’t overstay your welcome. You’ll have to pay their hourly fees, but charge it to your clients. You’re in the career to earn not get to the almshouse sooner.

Give a newshound a drink and cultivate this partnership. You’ll have the latest scoop or get an earful of information you won’t be reading from newspaper. For this you must be able to filter what’s in and what’s out until you have established your credibility with him or her.

There’s the utility man, clerk, records officer, hotel guard, and several others in and out of government service that can give you useful information. It’s not also unusual to deal with shady characters. They’re the lynchpins to any covert surveillance on top of your surveillance camera.

Subtle disguises

Your arsenal of surveillance equipment and gadgets won’t be complete without some handy costumes for your disguises. A false beard, a wig, or nun’s habit can give you some cover.

Interested? Check out a surveillance camera that’ll fit your budget and start putting on the charm.

By: Nahshon Roberts

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One of the most important parts of any home security system is the security camera. Most effective home security systems utilize cameras to ensure that the home is as secure as possible. Security cameras are able to record many different events that could happen in your house. They without a doubt make your home much safer, and provide peace of mind.

If you’ve ever tried to purchase a security camera then you’ll no doubt already know how confusing they are. There are hundreds of different types, all of which server different purposes. There are some important guidelines that you should consider before you rush out to buy your home security camera. You could also consider buying them online in order to save even more money.

Where Would You Use It

Before you can decide which type of camera is best for your needs, you first need to decide what exactly you will use it for. You should ask where it is going to be located. In particular decide whether you want it inside or outside.

You can buy very small mini cameras which can be hidden easily, these are perfect for spying on the new nanny to check that she’s as good as she says. You can also buy cameras that record with a regular VCR, wireless cameras, or PC cameras. All of these cameras are very useful for different situations. When you have decided the reason for installing your home security camera system then you can decide which type would suit you best.

Buy Them

If you are looking for a great place to shop for security cameras without spending a fortune then you should defiantly check out the online stores. One of the biggest and most reliable stores is SafeMart. You can check out their online store at http://www.safemart.com. This company offers state of the art technology at reasonable prices.

Protecting your home is priceless, however that doesn’t mean that the systems you install have to be expensive. You can find a great value system by simply visiting the safemart website and checking out what they have on offer. You are sure to find every kind of security camera you could eve want at SafeMart.

By: Ray L. Walberg

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Are you worrying too much about your teens and their driving? There are new surveillance cameras that’ll give you an idea of your kids’ driving habits and you can show them proof before they roll their eyes and deny everything.

Teen driving

Working mommies’ romance with the surveillance cameras starts with nanny cams. They worry about their toddlers left in the care of somebody else. As the kids grow older, they rely on more sophisticated surveillance systems to track their family’s activities at home.

With the toddlers now in their teens and already driving cars, mommies and daddies are becoming frantic. If you have given your teens the privilege of driving their own cars, then better take some measures to make sure they are following safe driving tips.

This concern is legit. More and more teens are involved in car accidents in a ratio of four to one driving adult. Costs for the car surveillance cameras may be steep but when it comes to the matter of your children’s safety and discipline, $950 is trifling.

How do these work?

These cameras are small (like a 9 volt battery) and can be placed under the dashboard of the car. These gadgets record the speeds, sudden stops, and swerves, and sound an alarm when fast acceleration and over speeding are detected. The 10 seconds before the acceleration or speeding is also captured by the cameras.

All these information from car surveillance cameras can be downloaded to your PC. Of course, your son or daughter will know that there is a camera inside their cars. Warn them that they cannot remove or tamper with these if they want to drive their cars.

Helping your teens help themselves

Of course, teenagers can be hard nuts to crack. As parents, your guidance and supervision will help them through their turbulent years. Don’t be pushovers and give in to their every whim.

To make your teens understand that driving is a serious matter, sign a drive safely contract with them. Show them you are serious and you are ready to take away their privileges if they renege.

You can form a teen-drive-watch with your friends who also have their own kids at the wheels. Request your friends to report your kids’ driving habits. This will deter them from gunning down the highways because mom’s and dad’s spies are everywhere.

When is your son or daughter ready to drive

Before your child can have a car, give him responsibilities and gauge how he or she does these. A responsible teen can be trusted with a car. If he or she is ready, give a lecture on responsible driving. Try to embed these nuggets of wisdom that will someday save a life.

Getting a driver’s license is not the end-all and be-all. Your teens should not be driving alone after he or she gets the license. They should be supervised and log 60 hours of driving with you on board.

While your teen is still getting used to driving, prohibit the use of cell phones and music inside the car. These are dangerous distractions.

So, before you give him the key to the car, secure surveillance cameras. Someday you will be glad you did because you’ll be able to warn him or her of the dangers of reckless driving before it’s too late.

By: Nahshon Roberts

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As we all know, the need for security in our homes, in our businesses and in our community is in an exceeding and alarming increase nowadays. Just simply having human and/or animals posted at whether general or specified locations as security guards is either now proving to be not enough or in some cases the extent of just a futile measure. A number of people because of this fact have over the years been moving towards security surveillance systems as an alternative, or to assist security personnel in their work, as just one of weapons in their realization for defense of self. For some time now businesses and corporations held the monopoly for the use of security cameras to hinder criminal and illegal conduct in form of thieves and robbers, but however the trend has now been moving towards home owners and private use.

After all a thief does not really care if it is a house or store once there is something valuable to steal, it is all up for grabs, mind the notion used. This all is fine and dandy but however leaves the homeowner or proprietor in a predicament being what the best surveillance system for his/her specific needs is and one that would return his investment.

What most people have foolishly come to believe is that propping a camera on the outside of the premises most times in view of the door or windows dependant on their perspective, is all they need for security purposes. Unfortunately for them it is not until an incident of burglary or robbery occurs and they find out that they are no usable and visible images on the reel of tape that they realize the chose the wrong camera and it was in fact not enough for their security. Hopefully they do not blame the camera for their misfortune but their lack of judgment in the use of them. What is even worst is when they actually wait until an incident of such happens to realize that they actually needed a security camera in the first place.

Budget is also something to think about, not everybody can afford a ten thousand dollar security system but fortunately for those with a less inclination for such funds there are several types of cameras readily available at very affordable prices. For example, you can choose from a simple wide-angle camera that can capture a large area to those that can be remotely panned, tilted and zoomed in to effectively track a burglars trail as they maneuver around in the home or on the property.

Lenses consideration.

Like a security surveillance camera the lenses themselves tend to vary from the standard available lenses, being the least expensive component. The thing is if you are one of those persons who puts the camera in the vicinity of the doors or windows, it is a good idea to purchase a security surveillance camera that is equipped with a lens which aperture automatically adjusts.

When it comes to still cameras the amount of light that enters it determines whether you end up with a picturesque quality image or well, a dud. Lenses with a fixed aperture if and when in the presence of very bright light, sunlight or even headlights can produce washed out images with unrecognizable features. Surveillance cameras are no different in this perspective and this little characteristic for such a camera as you know is the difference between the criminal being identify and caught or hoping someone caught a glimpse of guy because your camera could not. By getting yourself a security camera with auto-aperture that will adjust the lens according to the amount of light, will aid in captures no matter the amount of light the a good quality picture.

By: Trendon Cato

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Have you noticed how some people seem to **** Christmas? Not me though, I love it. And those lovely decorations always get me in high spirits. Unfortunately, some people seem to disagree. Every year it’s the same problem. I hear neighbors complaining about someone stealing decorations. Or just plain trashing them. Obviously the people who do these kinds of things lack to whole Christmas spirit. And catching them red handed is extremely hard. It gets dark real early and because of the cold outside there aren’t that many people walking around who could see someone stealing or vandalizing your decorations. That’s when home camera surveillance comes in handy.

Not only can you catch those Scrooges in the act, the video images are allowed to be used in court. So depending on how bad they have been they could be spending Christmas Eve in prison, while you can rest assured that your house and everything around it are safe.

And your Christmas decorations aren’t the only things a home camera surveillance system can protect. With the recession trudging along slowly, more and more people are becoming desperate. A lot of them have lost their jobs and some may be at their wit’s end. As a result, burglaries have been on the rise this past year. Did you know that even before the economy went haywire, a house was broken into every 8 seconds in the United States? That’s 3 out of 4 homes. That is a huge number.

Burglaries, as vandalism, can be quite traumatic for the victim. When I was a kid, someone broke into our house. Luckily, we weren’t home at the time. But to this day, my mom still tries to block the doors with ladders and chairs. Just so she’ll hear it immediately when someone is trying to get inside. Maybe even scare them off with the sound of a falling ladder. So far, I’ve been unsuccessfully trying to convince her to install a home surveillance security system. But because she’s a bit technically challenged, she’s scared she won’t know how to operate it.

Which is nonsense of course (though I’ve never told her that so bluntly). These days, camera systems can be remarkably easy to operate. And as prices have gone down considerably in the last decade or so, they are now more affordable than ever. Leaving you with some extra cash to have one installed for you in case you’re all thumbs. Oh, and don’t forget to get in touch with your insurance company as soon your home camera surveillance is operational. Often, it will give you a discount on your homeowner’s or renter’s insurance.

Add to that your increased feeling of safety and there really is no good reason not to install some video cameras in and around your home.

By: Nat Fields

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Surveillance cameras have their good uses. Criminals have been caught and jailed based on undeniable video evidence, cheating spouses have been captured on film and forced to pay greater alimony and child support for their ex-partners, and cops have been suspended for sexual harassment and physical mishandling of visitors and suspects alike. Just some of the few cases you read about that can convince you surveillance is good.

However, what do you do when surveillance cameras intrude upon your most private of private moments? How do you cope when intimate affairs are recorded in video and broadcast for the entire Internet world to see?

How It Can Happen

Generally, surveillance cameras are used for home security and public security. You can install small and portable cameras in your house while the government sets up a surveillance system in your neighborhood ostensibly to deter crime and monitor traffic.

Imagine this scenario: Your partner transferred the cameras to your bedroom because he wants to videotape your bedroom shenanigans without your knowledge. After your bitter separation, he uploads the video over the Internet and it becomes a hit.

Or this: In the interest of adding spice to your relationship, you both agreed to place some of the wireless surveillance cameras inside your bedroom. One messy divorce later, you are faced with an Internet video showing you and your despised ex-partner in compromising positions.

Or this: Video surveillance operators across the street intersection videotaped your intimate moments for voyeuristic purposes. The same perverted individuals broadcast the footage over the web.

In whatever way your lady parts came to be plastered all over the Internet, you must deal with the fall-out of other people’s perversions.

How to Prevent and to Cope

Of course, prevention is always better than the cure. If possible, never allow your partner to videotape your intimate bedroom encounters; never install surveillance cameras in your bedroom no matter what you do; never perform live shows where your privacy can be compromised unless you are on a deserted island; never leave the windows open in any way, either in terms of locking it and closing the drapes; and never let your private videotapes lying anywhere.

However, unfortunate scenarios such as the above mentioned do happen. How to cope boils down to:

* Doing something concrete about your plight – filing complaints and lawsuits is a good first step. You can also seek professional help and your family’s support.

* Forgetting about the past and not worrying about the future. You should take each day as it comes and live for the joys of the present. Learn to appreciate the small things in your life now – your ex-partner is paying you sums of money for alimony and for his bastardization of your relationship, your perverted voyeurs of local public officials are in jail, and you are alive.

* Moving on. If this means that you have to do something drastic like changing your place of residence or something mild like changing your hairstyle, then go for it. Just always remember that life must go on, you were a victim but you cannot be a victim forever, and that it is other people’s problems if they see you as anything less than the worthy person that you are.

In the end, your life should never be ruled by one mistake brought by man’s inappropriate use of surveillance cameras. Life is yours, take it!

By: Nahshon Roberts

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You have reasons to be afraid, really afraid. Terrorists and criminals are real. They’re ready to pounce where you think you are safe. The proliferation of surveillance cameras in public places is proof of this.

Terrorists and Criminals

Terrorists and petty criminals are getting more and more ruthless every second. They won’t let anybody pass. They can and they will harm anybody. Standing your guard is always a must. You can never be too careful.

There are times when going out is inevitable, you have to go out to work, school, or to run errands and staying safe and out of harm’s way isn’t an option anymore. You can’t always rely on surveillance cameras and the police because they aren’t always there to help. You should know what to do in case you have an encounter with the bad kind.

Criminals aren’t choosy in selecting their victim; they will harm the ones who look vulnerable. Don’t count on anybody else and don’t count on coming across surveillance cameras on the streets. As they say, it’s every man for himself, out on the streets that is. Some people will be scared to help.

There are various ways on how you can protect yourself aside from carrying pepper spray or hiring a big-muscled bodyguard. There are various means of self-defense and there are a lot of places you can learn them. Aside from learning how to kick-butt, you also have to know what to do or what precautions to take in case something disastrous happens.

When You’re On Your Own

These tips will help you stay on the safe side and stay alive:

* Be discreet in making your bank transactions (ATM’s, withdrawals etc.) especially on the 1st and 15th of the month.

* Avoid wearing excessive jewelry.

* Walk confidently. Never show that you are tense and afraid that something might happen (because in one way or another, someone will sense your fear).

* Be cautious of approaching strangers.

* Avoid carrying too much stuff; you have to have a hand free in case someone tries to assault you.

* Try waiting for public transport in places where there are a lot of people, police or surveillance cameras.

* Always walk on the lighted part of the streets; some sidewalks aren’t equipped with streetlights.

* When you’re driving, drive with your car doors locked.

* Vary your driving habits and routes. You wouldn’t want anybody to be stalking you.

* Always check the backseat of your car before entering.

* Have your emergency numbers on speed dial.

There are other ways to stay safe. When you sense that something bad is about to happen or you feel that somebody is tailing you, trust your instincts. Hurry to a crowded place or places with police, guards or surveillance cameras.

Though you can’t always depend on others, surveillance cameras or anything that help you when it counts most; it’s important to have emergency numbers on the ready – police, a friend, or your parents. Never take chances when it’s your life on the line. Terrorists and criminals show no mercy when they strike, but will think twice before harming you if they know help is coming fast.

By: Nahshon Roberts

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Public schools have been equipped with video surveillance CCTV systems even before Columbine. The reasons include increased safety and security for students. Installing video surveillance cameras in schools is a costly project, and school districts must be sure that this is the right route to deter theft, property damage, and to prevent outsiders from entering the school’s property. Even though most school districts that have implemented video surveillance systems have faced privacy concerns from parents, students and civil libertarian groups, school officials assert that cameras curb crime and are important sources of physical evidence when crimes do occur.

Why should schools use video surveillance?

Before secondary and middle school officials install video surveillance systems to prevent vandalism, gang activity, fights, trespassing or theft, they must sit down and conduct a thorough inventory of their needs and security concerns.

Important first questions to ask include:


• What security threats will the new cameras address?

• How will the surveillance equipment address those threats?

• How will the system be maintained and staffed?


After this step is completed, school officials must weigh the benefits and costs of their decision. Most school districts agree that installing video surveillance equipment will help students focus on their studies and not make them worry about outside violence. The security systems run from $500,000 per district for an analog system consisting of CCTV (closed circuit television) monitors to million-dollar IP-based systems with digital surveillance cameras connected to a web network. The system’s cameras are generally placed near entrances, hallways, stairwells, common areas and parking lots that are monitored 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Said Principal JK Johnson of Orange High School in Orange County, California who had 27 cameras installed, “If it cuts down the vandalism…I think it would be a wise expenditure. It’s another set of eyes out there to help keep the school safe if something were to happen.”

Other benefits include:


• Provides school officials with information and evidence that’s not otherwise available.

• The cameras deter crime and may lead some students to confess to infractions that weren’t even caught on the security cameras.

• The cameras allow school security personnel to do more job-specific work, which saves money in the long run since the mundane tasks will be performed by the security system.

• Money is also saved from insurance premiums by the reduced burglaries and vandalism.


However, costs remain and these must be faced with each security system installation:


• The initial set-up costs, plus maintenance and personnel costs may be too large for the school district.

• Privacy rights must be considered: no audio tracks should ever be recorded, and the cameras should not be placed inside of the school buildings. Civil libertarian advocates must be assured that the system will fairly monitor students and not become intrusive.


If the school districts do agree to purchase video surveillance systems for their schools, they need to conduct adequate research and planning in order to make the new system constructive and beneficial for the students. And once the security systems are installed, school officials should evaluate their effectiveness at set times and adapt to future security challenges and students’ needs.

Copyright © 2005 Evaluseek Publishing.

By: Alice Osborn

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We’ve become so used to CCTV cameras in public areas that we don’t even notice the signs announcing their presence anymore. Video surveillance is a given aspect of modern society, and is something we no longer question. There are so many CCTV cameras in London that individual people can be tracked on their journeys through the city, from the minute they step out of their front door to the minute they close their doors behind them again. While the public protests the lack of respect for its privacy, and demands freedom of movement as an inalienable right, government officials insist that tighter control is necessary to maintain law and order.

Continuous developments in surveillance technology mean that our simple every-day actions are under increased scrutiny, particularly in Chicago, where new intelligent cameras are being installed. In an article on abclocal.go.com, Paul Meincke reports that new technology, called “video analytics” is being added to Chicago’s network of surveillance cameras. The system uses specially programmed algorithms to tell cameras exactly what behaviour to look for, and to then draw attention to instances that meet the criteria. For instance you could programme a camera to look for cars that linger at particular buildings. The camera will take note of all cases of unnecessary loitering and relay that information to a human operator for closer inspection.

According to Meincke’s article, all camera feeds go into a 60-terrabyte storage bin, where data is held for 30 days. Video data can then be accessed retroactively to monitor suspicious activity or to find footage that could possibly count in the prosecution of criminal cases.

In a separate development, Newscientist.com has written an article on specialised surveillance cameras that could soon be installed in passenger aircraft to monitor passenger activity and identify possible terrorist suspects. New software has been developed that analyses the behaviour and ****** expressions of all passengers. In theory, this software allows cameras installed on passengers’ seats to identify suspicious activity and prevent possible air-rage incidents before they happen. The footage will be supplemented by data supplied by 6 additional wide-angled cameras monitoring the aisles.

Some of the things that the cameras are programmed to take note of are running in the cabin, undue loitering around the cockpit, nervous face touching and excessive sweating. The public has been assured that incidents will not be viewed in isolation, and that only certain combinations of unusual behaviour will be monitored. It still seems, however, that nervous passengers have just got more reason to be nervous.

As impressive as both these developments are, they are not without detractors. There is some doubt as to the effectiveness of CCTV cameras in preventing crime. Many people believe that surveillance simply displaces crime, and is only really effective after the event, when it comes to possible prosecution, but that as a deterrent, they are largely useless. People are also reluctant to buy into the increasing global paranoia and wonder at the wisdom of creating an eerily Orwellian society.

Mohan Trivedi, who has experience in surveillance and tracking systems, says that as for surveillance on airplanes, the challenges of correctly identifying and monitoring individuals are simply too great. Lighting and reflections affect image resolution, and active cabin crew continually get in the way. According to Trivedi, they haven’t conclusively shown that the software is capable of overcoming these problems.

Dr Nancy LaVigne of the Urban Institute has said that people are so easily enamoured with new technology that they seldom stop to ask if implementing it is a good idea. She is launching a study that will focus on the effectiveness of surveillance cameras. Whatever she finds, we can be sure that those in charge will continue to push for greater control and more access to our everyday lives, freedom and privacy be damned. Security is important, but at what price?

By: Sandy Cosser

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