Security Cameras: Are They Worth It?
When people think security, the first thing that comes to mind is usually security cameras. As one of the most visible and widely implemented types of security system, these small but conspicuous recording devices are often used synonymously with the term security system. From convenience stores to government buildings, security cameras can be spotted everywhere throughout the modern world.
While the proliferation of video surveillance in the modern world raises a number of concerns surrounding privacy and government control, that’s not the topic we’re discussing today. Instead, we’re going to be taking a granular look at the ins and outs of installing a domestic security camera system, and whether or not they’re worth it for your particular situation.
Now, there are a number of factors that come into play in this discussion, and we won’t presume to know your situation implicitly. What you ultimately choose for your home will depend on a number of specific things that depend entirely on your situation, so instead of giving you a concrete “yes or no” answer to the titular question, we’ll leave the answer up to you. What we’re going to do instead is give you the information you need to make the decision adequately.
Security cameras in a domestic setting
When they first gained popularity as a security solution, security cameras were large, low-resolution and extremely expensive. For the most part, only places of businesses and the very wealthy could afford to install and maintain them. Fast forward a few decades and security cameras are now smaller, easier to maintain, and cheaper than they’ve ever been before!
This, as you might imagine, has made them viable as a means of monitoring and securing smaller spaces such as homes or other properties. With kits available as inexpensive as one or two hundred dollars, installing a set might seem like a no brainer for anyone seeking a way to make their home a safer place.
There are, however, a number of reasons why this initial presumption might not actually be the best course of action in your case. From unreliable budget systems that create the illusion of security without actually securing your home to vulnerabilities inherent to this type of security solution, the answer is not quite as cut-and-dried as you might think.
The pros and cons of installing a surveillance system
Now that you’re aware of the fact that security cameras might not be all that they’re cracked up to be, it’s time to get down to the granular details surrounding the debate on whether or not you should install them. There’s a lot of ground to cover here, so we won’t waste your time with idle chatter. Let’s look at the pros and cons of installing a security camera system in your home!
Pro: fairly inexpensive
One of the best things about modern security cameras is how inexpensive they are. With some kits selling as cheap as $150, they’re one of the cheapest ways to improve your home security. These sets may not include the functionality that more costly sets do (more on that later) but if you’re out of the house most of the time, the added security can be a godsend.
In the modern world, crime is an unfortunate but unavoidable part of life. Even if you live in one of the safest cities in Florida, no one knows when or how they’ll become the victims of a property crime. An in-home security system can give you peace of mind like few other things can. For anyone that has valuable items in their home, a security camera setup is likely to be well worth the fairly minimal investment required.
Con: upkeep costs can pile up
While the decrease in cost for the initial purchase of a home surveillance system has definitely made it easier to install such a system in your home, maintenance and service costs are anything but cheap. In order for your system to be of use, it will likely require regular visits from a home security professional. These technicians don’t work for peanuts!
Another added cost that can make the purchase of a home surveillance system untenable is that of real time monitoring and analysis, a feature that many security systems include as a service billed monthly. Without real time monitoring, a security system is far less effective, as potential threats to your property can go unnoticed until you manually verify the footage, something that is time consuming in and of itself.
Pro: attractive software and hardware features
In the days of analogue video surveillance, most features such as infrared video, high resolution capture and redundant storage were prohibitively expensive. This being the case, only the most financially well-off security camera owners could afford to run systems such as these. Fast forward to today, and many of these features come standard with almost all video surveillance security systems!
With these features, your chances of preventing a burglary or act of vandalism instantly increase, as do your chances of identifying a suspect should they escape undetected. These features help homeowners protect their property and belongings with dramatically increased efficacy, providing those on the fence with a good reason to buy into this tech.
Con: conspicuous and attention-drawing
While security cameras can without a doubt improve your home security in many ways, they can also make it more conspicuous and even lead burglars to target your home. No matter how inconspicuous a security camera might be, it’s highly likely to be spotted by someone casing your house for a burglary.
Due to how expensive this type of security system has been in the past, security cameras often create the impression that whatever property they are installed on is housing vast amounts of valuables. While their cost-effectiveness has made this all but completely untrue as a rule, the perception surrounding security cameras persists nonetheless, and can draw attention from all the wrong types of people.
Pro: assist in the management of large properties
For owners of large properties such as farms, ranches or estates, security cameras can be a vital tool to help monitor and manage the property. In addition to securing the property against burglars and other security threats, security cameras can also be vital in tasks such as monitoring livestock and checking for property damage after an act of god has occurred.
With newly added functionality in modern security cameras that allows you to peer through the lens of each individual camera from your phone, tasks like these can become exceptionally expedient and convenient. Never again will you have to trek all the way out to the back 40 to check whether or not one of the cows gave birth yet!
Conclusion
While everything we’ve discussed above without a doubt factors into the discussion surrounding the viability of surveillance cameras as a home security system, there’s more to the story. We didn’t have the time to discuss every pertinent factor today, so it’s up to you to do your research and thoroughly assess whether or not this is the best solution for you and your property.
One great way to get a better handle on this topic is to find a real estate agent who is knowledgeable on the subject and ask them for their advice. There’s a good chance that they’ll be more than happy to help you find the best way to secure your home, and you might just make a lifelong friend along the way. It’s a win-win!
