If I were a burgler, and knew there were cameras, but I was determined to get in, I would just put on a disguise or a mask.
Yep... pulling down a ski mask can defeat cameras! Thank God I live in an old-fashion neighborhood. Even on a very cold day... like today.. hanging around the neighborhood in a ski mask will get peoples attention. Hanging around any particular home... and the police will be called.
There are so many variables involved...
no two homes are the same. In more rural areas, with greater distances between homes and slower police responce times, a ski mask could un-do a lot of preventive deterrent.
Maybe a driveway camera for license plate number collection might be helpful. Of course, a sign and/or announcement would be needed to notify the intruder.
However, if I heard the sound of a door opening somewhere, and then what sounded like a pack of vicious dogs coming towards me from around the back of the house, I'm quite sure I would bolt.
So far... I have been up-front honest... even sorta in-your-face-bold with my detection and deterrent systems. Why would anyone take any extra risk at my home.. when a street or two away.. they can easily find an un-alarmed, non-video monitored home, with an easy to jimmie back door.
.....If I did get inside,(and tripped a motion sensor), I know I wouldn't want to hear what sounded like someone calling 911, and the police answering.
I like that idea! I have tried to interface the alarm with a BVC announcement that would repeat (over and over) that:
"authorities have been notified, police have been dispatched". I haven't got that all worked out yet. Part of the problem is getting enough volume to make my announcement heard over the noise created by the sirens. I also need the OnAlert plug-in. I have also thought about using the alarm system to also trigger the doorbell and/or a phone ringer.. to add to the noise.
But if someone does get inside... I have failed on several levels. - The neighborhood failed.. we actively watch out for each other.
- My perimeter detection failed to alert me... or I failed to act.
- My signs, stickers, cameras, and verbal announcement system failed to warn or deter the intruder.
- My locks and re-enforcements on doors and windows failed to delay the intruder until the police arrived.
I think... if I can put enough reliable detection and deterrent systems ahead of entering my home... even a determinded intruder may be kept outside. I may have already done enough.. I have a couple good systems... and a couple back-ups.
But there should be more options. More.. or other.. systems/methods/ways to keep intruders outside. All of my set-up was designed around and for my home. What about X10 users who do live in more rural areas, or areas with slower police responce times? Or how does a user set-up a perimeter detection system if they live in an apartment... where the only entry may be in a shared hallway?