Dummy Video Cameras

Dummy security cameras can be a vital part of your video surveillance system.  They can be placed among real security cameras so that criminals aren't sure which are the real cameras and which are fake. Don't fool yourself into thinking that a smart criminal (career criminal) won't be able to spot the difference.  If all your cameras look the same except for one that might raise a red flag.  Some dummy security cameras don't have real looking lenses, maybe the lens tube is just an empty piece of plastic painted black on the inside.  Remember that a real camera will have an aperture.  Some dummy security cameras have a dummy aperture to make them look more real.  If your dummy camera looks like cheap plastic then that can also be a dead giveaway.  

Dummy Video Camera Giveaways

Remember a real camera will have wires, one for power one for the video signal.  These wires are usually run inside of the building, but if a dummy security camera has wires running from it, it will make it look more like the real deal.  When installing a dummy camera make sure you run wires when you do.  If you just stick them up and a thief sees you, they'll know it's just a fake camera.  The best thing is to install the dummy video camera among real cameras in a location where a real camera might be.  You don't want them to be super conspicuous, but you do want them to be seen.  For more realism there are batter powered cameras that have a motion sensor that causes them to move.  Some have a battery powered "on light" that makes them seen like they have power to them.  

Just remember though, that if you can buy a dummy security camera so can a thief.  They can see what dummy models look like and be alerted to them.  The way to overcome this is to use an empty camera casing.  Many security camera companies will sell the empty "shell".  It will look exactly like a real camera by the same company.  Placed in between the real cameras the dummy security camera will really hard to spot.

Security Cameras Don't Always Work.

Real Security Cameras Don't Always Work Either.

My neighbor had his house broken into several months ago. The thing is we live on a busy street with lots of traffic so there is plenty of opportunity for people to be seen. He kept a motorcycle and a grill and some typical porch stuff behind his house where his driveway is. The thieves (a mother and teenager) drove up in a van, got out looked up on the porch then took some patio stuff and a grill. His wife and dog were in the house at the time, and neither one of them heard the crooks.

The thing is he had a security camera, a real one not a fake security camera and he captured the thieves on tape. Unfortunately due to the angle they couldn't see the tag number of the van. My neighbor had a friend at a local T.V. station who put the film on the news. Unfortunately they haven't been caught yet, but the van had been a suspect in other burglaries in the area.

The point is, there is no single security measure that can help for every situation. Being aware and knowing who should and shouldn't be in your neighborhood is one thing you can do for free. Don't get a false sense of security because you think you can't be broken into. Use fake security cameras or real cameras if you must, but don't think that will always deter thieves, it didn't in my neighbors case.

Are Fake Security Cameras for You?

Everybody knows that even though banks and stores use security cameras they still get robbed. On the other hand, statistics show that security cameras do reduce criminal activity somewhat. So what can you do to help prevent crime with spending too much money on a full featured security system? Maybe a fake security camera will work for you. A fake security camera is made to look like a variety of video security cameras but doesn't really do anything except sit there. The whole idea behind using fake camera is that what appears to be a video surveillance system will scare off a potential criminal.

Using a fake security camera around the house can help keep criminals away. Burglars don't like to take risks look for the easiest target they can, so they may simply look for a easier target if they see signs of a home security camera system. If you do decide to use a fake camera you should get the more expensive model. The cheap cameras are easy to spot which defeats the purpose. Remember that they do not actually provide any security if a burglar does break in.

Sometimes a camera is used as a deterrent and to make a record that can help the police catch criminal, and the courts to prosecute. Sometimes they are also used for monitoring one person can keep an eye on more than one area. Obviously, this won't work with a fake security camera, you need the real thing.

If you are looking for a cheap way to make your home look less of a target to burglars, then a fake security camera might be worth considering. If you plan to install a real security system that uses door and window alarms, motion detectors etc., Then you might want to just get a real camera, the cost between fake security cameras and real cameras is not too different for the protection the real thing affords.

The value of a fake security camera depends on what you want it for. If all you want is to find an cheap way to make it look like you've got a security system, then dummy security cameras could help you. Just make sure you put them in an obvious place where criminals are likely to see them. However, if you really want to increase your security, then a fake security camera is not the way to go.

Fake Security Cameras

Increase Your Security With Fake Security Cameras

Fake security cameras or dummy cameras are non-functional surveillance cameras designed to look like real security cameras in an effort to discourage minor theft and vandalism, often with mixed results.  They are placed in obvious places so that passing people notice them and think that the area is being monitored by camera.

The most inexpensive fake security cameras can be recognized by lack of real lenses, lack of power cords or video cables.  More expensive cameras have cords that make them appear like the real thing and the lenses and housings appear more like real security cameras.  Broken surveillance cameras can also be used as fake security cameras.  Some of the more realistic cameras will have pan and tilt mechanisms or blinking lights to simulate a real camera.

Because fake security cameras are non functional they are usually placed in areas of minor vandalism and theft, as they are likely to be spotted by professional thieves as fake.   Many times they can be placed with actual working security cameras to increase the deterrent effect, with little extra cost.  Many times security camera kits may be purchased with fake cameras that look exactly like the real cameras.   This leads thieves and vandals to believe that the whole area is under surveillance as because the real cameras are indistinguishable from the fake security cameras.