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Most of the cameras are mounted high on the ceiling. It would be quite an effort to get them off without ladder and tools.

Liberty wrote: Systems are getting pretty reasonable, We Just set one up and If I get an alarm I can monitor my 15 cameras and from here 50 miles away over the net. and talk to whoever is responding to an alarm via the cell. I don't know many bussiness owners who won't go in if the police won't respond but the video surveilance systems might could take some of the risk out. Only problem is that sometimes the camera and equipment is what the thief is really after.

Stupid wrote:You can sit in your bedroom and watch everything that is going on in your office. Why do you still have the need to go investigate, especially with a gun?

Because, as has already been stated, DPD won't go unless you are ONSITE and have seen it IN PERSON. Wouldn't want them to interrupt their speedtraps to stop a crime in progress. False-alarm fines would encourage the alarm companies to fix problems, without requiring the above situation.

If your location has broadband internet, IP cameras can be bought for under $100 each, and added to your LAN. An IP camera has a built-in streaming (or sequential still) video server. Type in the numerical IP address, and your web browser displays whatever the camera sees.

The software that is built into such cameras typically includes motion detection, and can also include automated responses, so that email alerts are sent whenever motion is detected, various phone numbers are dialed with pre-recorded messages, etc. The system can be configured so a computer on your LAN will start recording when the cameras detect motion.

All electronic cameras capture infrared (unless IR filters are added), so they can see in the dark, and can see quite well if invisible IR light sources are added.

That Said:
a) It's silly that Dallas wants to fine someone for an unregistered alarm system, when that alarm doesn't ring DPD, and DPD wouldn't respond even if it did.
b) An alarm can be triggered by many things, few of which can be verified by sitting at home watching the video on your computer. Cats. Backfires. Vandal tosses a brick through a window and splits.
c) Any responsible property owner would respond to the alarm, prepared for anything from stray cats, to an active burglary in progress. Especially in Dallas, where the PD will not respond until a person on-scene calls in a verified report.
d) The on-scene inspection will either reveal a false alarm, a burglary in progress, or a crime scene after the fact. Two of those possibilities will be investigated by detectives the next day. The other will bring a live police response, but only because the person on-scene needs help RIGHT NOW!

I'd use the technology, because it's cheap and very cost-effective compared to monitored alarm systems. Especially so in a city that won't respond until a person on the scene verifies the intrusion.

I'd also respond to an alarm expecting to find anything from a whizzing wino, to a major crime in progress. I'd advise 911 accordingly, but be prepared to protect myself until the uniforms showed up.

Kevin

KD5NRH wrote:

Stupid wrote:You can sit in your bedroom and watch everything that is going on in your office. Why do you still have the need to go investigate, especially with a gun?

Because, as has already been stated, DPD won't go unless you are ONSITE and have seen it IN PERSON. Wouldn't want them to interrupt their speedtraps to stop a crime in progress. False-alarm fines would encourage the alarm companies to fix problems, without requiring the above situation.

Although I don't agree with Dallas' Alarm Ordinance, trust me, they are not running speed traps. (whatever that is).

DPD is so short staffed that priorty 1 calls are being blind dispatched in hopes someone on another priority 1 call can clear and handle it.

Geister wrote:Stupid, do you have any idea how much that kind of surveillance equipment would cost, especially sending it from his place of business to his home?

WHO CARES! IT'S A BUSINESS EXPENSE! WRITE IT OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!


you know, I hear all kinds of beef on the DPD.
to , last year, my associate and I had a home invasion. We called the Fuzz, and I tell you what, they responded quick, fast, and in a hurrah. We had one knuckle-dragger get there ALMOST in time to catch somebody, and the rest of the Uniforms arrived shortly thereafter.
So, I would conclude that they do respond to calls, and in an efficient manner, when the chips are down.

so n'ya!!

txinvestigator wrote:... they are not running speed traps. (whatever that is).

I think I heard somewhere that they are what's used by some PDs to help with [cough] quotas.

sparx wrote:

txinvestigator wrote:... they are not running speed traps. (whatever that is).

I think I heard somewhere that they are what's used by some PDs to help with [cough] quotas.

What do they use for bait?

txinvestigator wrote:

sparx wrote:

txinvestigator wrote:... they are not running speed traps. (whatever that is).

I think I heard somewhere that they are what's used by some PDs to help with [cough] quotas.

What do they use for bait?

well, speed, of course!!!