Would you Build your Home Security on Deception?
Author: Elia Levi
Date Posted: July 26, 2006
When you take a stroll in your town and you look around you cannot
miss them. Every few steps, especially near banks and public offices,
at gas stations and at chain stores, you will see unobtrusive but
omnipresent little boxes peering on passers-by.
You know that those are Surveillance Cameras hopefully in charge
of protecting the security and well being of all citizens. You trust
the appointed Authorities that they will use the information collected
by the cameras in legitimate ways, only to keep criminals in check.
However, when you think of it, it may give you some uneasiness,
as if all your deeds, thoughts and intentions were no more private,
as if you were by now to the mercy of some mysterious and nasty
blackmailer. That is the power of deterrence.
The question can then be asked: is the mere presence of the little
boxes (surveillance cameras) capable of influencing people’s actions?
We would like to think that honest people are not affected, while
those with something to hide are being kept straight, and if not,
they will be easily caught.
It may not be always exactly so, but it has been affirmed that
the security services of large organizations administering the information
supplied by large arrays of surveillance systems, do not hasten
to repair or replace the single pieces of faulty equipment, reasoning
that they continue to perform their deterrence task even when unable
to provide useful images.
Around these arguments a whole new business developed. What if,
instead of installing complex, delicate and costly surveillance
systems, only mock-up cameras, looking exactly like real pieces
of equipment, were put in place in full display?
Their impact can even be enhanced by showing large signs, also
easily procured, warning that the premises are under constant control,
even if it is not true.
The problem is: can dummy cameras be relied upon to provide home
security? Our personal view is that it would probably be too dangerous
to put too much confidence unto a bluff.
Although they may have some value, better than no security provisions
at all, for a short time, while planning for a more complete system
to be put in place, it would not be advisable to build one’s surveillance
only on a fake camera.
Although most burglars would prefer to go for another easier prey
without spending time on investigations, one can never be sure that
some clever person will not interpret subtle signs to deduce the
deception.
The subject of home surveillance for providing security to persons
and property is too serious to be solved only with a cunning trick.
But as only a small element of a larger well thought system, even
a dummy camera could play a useful part.
About The Author
Elia Levi is a retired engineer. He built a website to assist with
a step-by-step Guide to understand, design, select and set up, all
by yourself the best and least expensive surveillance system for
your home security. Read more on the subject of this article at
http://www.1st-diy-home-surveillance-guide.com/Dummy-camera.html
Article Source: JKD Street Combat
- online collection of Home Security articles.
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