You always hear people talking about them. The infamous “dummy cameras,” which are meant to make your home or business instantly impenetrable to crime. This logic has a flaw in that it isn’t totally accurate. Crime is prevented more by the dread of being caught than by cameras. There is no way to identify these intruders if they are captured because the camera that was meant to be providing security was a fake, which is unfortunate for house and business owners who rely on phony cameras for security.
Keep in mind that cameras are not a very effective deterrent to crime on their own. They are absolutely not preventative measures. Instead of deterring potential criminals, cameras merely serve to identify individuals who have already committed the crime. The only cameras that can capture someone in the act are those that are watched over on the premises with sufficient security to both watch over the cameras and catch the offenders. Dummy cameras are essentially useless because they don’t offer any of these functions.
Remember that many would-be criminals couldn’t care less if there are cameras, and they couldn’t care less if the cameras are real or false. Criminals are well aware that there is nothing that can be filmed that will identify them if they remove any distinguishing apparel and avoid staring straight into the cameras (even if they are real). Additionally, they are reasonably aware that even when the cameras are being watched, it frequently takes a while for the police to be notified of the crime and arrive on the scene. In reality, the typical criminal is counting on the fact that the police are frequently tardy in arriving. False cameras simply cannot help with that; cameras, real or fake, have more to do with identifying the perpetrators of crimes than they do with preventing crimes.
If you’re thinking about installing a dummy camera or a few dummy cameras to protect your home and place of business, you’d be wise to weigh the price of the cameras and installation (if required) against the price of a working, monitored security system. When compared to the security it offers for your home or business and the peace of mind it gives you as the home or business owner, you are likely to find that the initial equipment cost difference is negligible (especially when you consider that many security monitoring services offer the equipment for free).
Nevertheless, there are some really convincing fake cameras on the market, and they might dissuade people from committing crimes out of convenience rather than people who deliberately plan the crimes they are about to perform. The issue is that you will never truly know because there is no accurate method to assess the efficacy of these units unless your company was continuously losing money prior to the appearance of these cameras. The only crimes that these false cameras will most likely deter are minor “petty thefts,” such children snatching bubble gum and similar items. Save your money and use it to pay for a monitored security system for your house or business rather than fake cameras that don’t actually do much good.
Free security systems: Are they worth the cost?
While the question in the title might be a little unclear to some, I am confident that there are some readers who fully comprehend the question. In today’s world, nothing is absolutely free of charge. In fact, items that promote their prices as being free frequently compensate for that and much more in the long run. In the end, you will have to choose for yourself whether the whole cost justifies the tossed in freebies when it comes to home and business protection. However, the majority of skilled security services will offer peace of mind that is well worth the final cost when it comes to protection.
However, one thing is for certain—especially when the item is free—read the fine print before making a purchase. As long as they are the monitoring service in question or you have used their service and equipment for a predetermined period of time, the majority of home and business security systems will permit the equipment to remain (again read the contract in order to find out the specifics of the company you are considering).
You should also keep in mind that these businesses are vying for your business. While they’re handing away freebies and before you sign anything, ask if you can get this as a bonus if you see something you like with another firm but the price is different. Security businesses may have a standard contract, but it doesn’t change the fact that they provide a service that may be tailored to a client’s demands. If not, choosing the other company or attempting to bargain with them won’t do any harm. Even if you have to pay for the equipment, you might be able to get a better price somewhere else.
To put it another way, don’t let the illusion of free equipment blind you to the evident cost that is paid through exorbitant service agreements or excessively extended contractual obligations. If you ask the correct questions, the salesperson will typically divulge this kind of information as well as the fine print. The first thing you need to know is what equipment is suggested for or actually placed on your property versus what is part of the “freebie” package. Never sign anything with a company like this without carefully reading the contract; otherwise, you might be agreeing to pay for equipment that you didn’t even know was going to be installed. Also, never pay for anything that you didn’t agree to have installed.
While I’d like to think that everyone working in the home security industry is meticulous to a fault, that isn’t always the case. In actuality, a lot of these companies’ agents are only interested in your signature and a commission. The size of the sale determines how much money these agents make. However, it is through the monthly service or monitoring fees that the majority of these businesses acquire customers. The largest of the hidden charges in your free home or business security system will be revealed when you compare these fees when picking which provider to bring into your house. When comparing pricing, consider the term’s duration as well as what these fees entail. After all is said and done, you do not want to be locked into a lengthy contract with a business that you do not like (especially when it comes to the protection of your house or business).
Are Private Security Companies a Smart Move for Residences and Businesses?
A home or business can update or remodel its security protocols in a variety of ways. Utilizing the assistance of a private security service is one of these strategies. In the past, private protection was a privilege reserved for big businesses or the obscenely affluent. Many of us are not both of those things. Private security, however, means something altogether different today than it did in the past.
The majority of private security companies are essentially a service that monitors and responds to complaints of issues rather than actual live guards that physically watch over and secure the property. The majority of private security companies have employees in a central location who monitor video cameras, alarm systems, and combinations of the two. They also respond to emergencies and potential problems in accordance with the protocols laid out in the service agreement that was created and the requirements and preferences of the home and/or business owner in any given circumstance, as well as the protocols included in the service agreement.
Since these private security companies frequently monitor multiple homes and alarm systems at once, the level of care and monitoring is not as intensive as it would be with onsite security staff, but the costs are significantly lower than they would be for private onsite security because you are essentially sharing the service with other homes and businesses. It is important to note the significant distinctions between these two types of security.
Private security services are provided on-site to protect the property. They make sure everything is nicely locked up and protected from trespassers and intruders. They will keep an eye on who comes onto the property and goes off of it, and in some areas they may even be armed while doing their responsibilities to ensure an extra degree of security. When you engage an onsite security firm, you have the last say in who works for you and are completely aware of any criminal history they may have (since you would probably conduct a thorough background check). You will pay extra for this type of service, but depending on your family’s or business’s demands, it is frequently a cost that is well worth it, especially if you believe that your business or family is in danger for some reason that is unknown.
The typical private security companies that handle numerous clients for home and commercial security hire employees who are prepared to work for lower pay and, as a result, frequently have questionable backgrounds. Unfortunately, you won’t have complete control over who answers your calls or watches over your house. The majority of these businesses have small, overworked staffs with relatively high turnover rates. You must be prepared to work with the personnel they deploy, or you run the danger of paying more to have police respond to possible false alarms. Others are absolutely happy to bear the potential risk in exchange for the certainty of security, while some people believe this risk is not worth it.
When deciding whether or not hiring a private security company is the best option for the security requirements of your home or place of business, carefully take into account the differences mentioned above. Whatever option you choose, having someone keep an eye on your home or place of business when you aren’t there to do it is a precious luxury that has recently become more accessible, even for the typical household or small business, in terms of security.