HowToSurveillance Blog

Police departments everywhere are facing cutbacks due to the recession which means their responses to certain crimes may be limited. Video surveillance may become more important as an evidence gathering tool. Security cameras can provide valuable evidence to assist police in solving crimes, and they may be more apt to take action if they have solid video surveillance to identify the criminal. Additionally, security cameras can be useful in gathering information about crime activity in the area. Neighborhood watch programs and businesses may benefit from the use of CCTV systems which can provide helpful evidence to police.

Video from CNBC discusses the impact that financial cutbacks will have on police departments. Immediate responses to burglaries, property crimes and other non-violent crimes may be reduced due to police department cutbacks. Former police chief John Timoney is interviewed in this story and mentions that Oakland, CA police department has only 700 officers when it really needs about 1100 to 1200 (based on it’s size) and more cuts are on the way.

A Dallas man on vacation 1400 miles away in CT received an alert on his iPhone that intruders broke into his home. He was able to watch the action using an $5 app called iCam which allows remote viewing of security cameras using the iPhone. Remote viewing of security cameras has been done for years using IP remote viewing software and now this capability is becoming more accessible as wireless networks become more robust. Applications such as the iCam are becoming more common place with the proliferation of smart phones.

Caught on Video Surveillance: A woman comes across a cat, casually pets the animal, then promptly dumps the animal in a nearby trash bin! Poor cat was in there for about 15 hours! This action begs the question “Why?”.

A couple from Indiana had just installed security cameras just days prior to the robbery. The wife had posted an update to her Facebook status (from her cell phone) as she went out on the town with her fiancee. Apparently, one of the would-be robber was someone that she knew on Facebook. The Facebook status notified the robbers that the house would be empty. They were caught on video surveillance and identified.

CNN: Facebook Prelude to Crime Caught on Security Camera

Article from the UK Telegraph about the 40,000 high definition “Eagle Eye” surveillance cameras that that have been installed in Xinjiang province:
Full UK Telegraph Article Here

The city of Mesa, Arizona will be voting in September, 2010 on a law to require surveillance camera systems at convenience stores. Story and video here:
Security Camera Law Proposed in Mesa, AZ

Here’s an interesting news story regarding spy gadgets available to the general public:

Spy Gadgets Video

Seems like you can put a camera just about anywhere these days. The video also showcases some electronic counter-surveillance devices.

The number of surveillance cameras will be increasing in response to terrorist threats. Watch this CBS News story for details:

CBS News Video: Surveillance Camera Coverage to Increase in New York City

Brownstone Security is proud to introduce new license plate capturing day and night security camera BTS-MIR83122HQDN.
License Plate Capture Camera has 8 manual shutter speed control, and according to your needs, the shutter can be adjusted to auto or manual electronic shutters. The speed range of the camera is from 1/50 sec to 1/100,000 sec, so this can achieve reliable license plate recognition. Adopting with SONY HQ1 DSP and Exview HAD CCD the resolution hits 540 TV lines, with 0.05 LUX. It also has a built-in Mechanical IR Cut Filter; the cameras can automatically switch from Color to B/W mode, when the illumination is under 2 Lux.
This security camera can be easily added to existing surveillance systems and can be integrated with Brownstone’s MSGV Series license plate recognition system.
Brownstone Security provides a variety of cameras and DVRs, serving retail, hospitality, manufacturing, commercial, industrial, healthcare, and government industries. If you would like additional information or a demo, please call 310-297-3605 or visit:
www.brownstoneps.com

Law suits arising related to school laptops equipped with webcams. Internet protocol (IP) enabled webcams allow remote viewing of a webcam and may push the frontiers of surveillance law:

CNN Article on School Laptop Webcam Spying