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A video camera offers a degree of security simply by being conspicuous. Its presence goes a long way toward deterring would-be burglars because having seen one camera, an individual can never be certain how many more are on duty, or where they're located. This is evident in the fact that decoy cameras, empty enclosures intended to be conspicuous, are available from numerous suppliers. The type of security provided by a camera is identification, either complete or partial. This can be identification of one or more individuals, vehicles, or even situations to be avoided. Even if a positive identification of an individual or vehicle is impossible because the face is obscured, or the license plates are never fully in view of the camera, valuable information may still be gleaned from the camera data. This might include an individual's approximate height, weight, and distinguishing characteristics; or make, model, and color of a vehicle, perhaps even a partial license plate. This information may be obtained in real-time by simple observation, or by computerized post-processing of the video record. Today, even relatively inexpensive computer software makes it possible to step through a video frame-by-frame. Even a brief view of the plate, so brief as to be imperceptible to a witness, may still be recovered with the aid of a computer. And some cameras are so sensitive to light that they can 'see' and record a driver's face, or vehicle's license plate in light much too dim for the human eye. This too, can be recovered with the aid of a simple personal computer. Many camera models designed for the home are small and easily hidden. Frequently, such cameras are employed as 'nanny-cams', and used to identify situations such as pilfering or worse.
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Numerous instances of caregivers battering, or otherwise assaulting helpless individuals have been recorded by hidden cameras. These include assaults against family members (infants, for instance) or patients in institutions. And on rare occasions, the ability to recognize a dangerous situation can be a lifesaver. There are cases on record where homeowners, upon hearing a strange noise outside at night, ran outside to see what was happening and were hospitalized or worse, as a result of confronting car thieves. In such cases, had a camera been available, these people could have identified the situation and called authorities without ever having left the bedroom. Pets too, may benefit from the use of a properly positioned camera and monitor. In the garage, for instance, pets may be attracted by the heat of the radiator, and choose to lie down beside, behind or in front of a wheel. Because few drivers walk around the car as a precaution before getting in and driving off, pets lying near the vehicle are at risk of serious injury or death. With a properly positioned camera and monitor, the driver need only glance at the monitor to verify that it's safe to drive off. The home camera protects property as well. We've all heard horror stories of crimes against animals (people shooting horses, beating animals to death, or abducting pets), property such as boats or cars vandalized, or buildings destroyed by fire. In each of these, and similar cases, one or more cameras properly placed might have prevented these crimes, or subsequently identified the criminal by examining the video record with a suitably equipped PC. |
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