Protect Your Christmas Displays with Security Cameras

It is that time of year to drag out the Christmas decorations. Setting up the house, business, or church can be a fun event for the whole family, as well as creating something beautiful the whole community can appreciate. Sadly more than a few of these lovely and expensive Christmas displays we work so hard to put together get vandalized every year.


Decorations get torn down, broken, or even stolen in the middle of the night when no one is watching. Some simply are out to cause mischief while others may be targeting specific religions. Whatever the reasoning you do not have to become a helpless victim and you do not have to stand guard or form a militia to protect your hard work and cash investment. A wireless security camera system is a small price to pay to ensure you those perpetrating violence and mischief against your nativity scene are brought to justice.


A quality wireless security camera system can be purchased for a few hundred dollars. Since there are no wires hidden cameras can easily be placed inside any decoration to cover any angle. All that is required is a battery power source. They are the easiest cameras to work with and setup can be done in under an hour. A good kit will come with everything necessary to setup your security system. Wireless video data can be monitored and checked from any computer anywhere. Place a sign out to let people know your property is under video surveillance. For lower budgets fake security cameras, which are simply and empty camera housing, can be just an effective deterrent as well. It may seem like a lot to spend, but you will be able to use the system for years to come.


Some decorations or statues are worth hundreds or thousands of dollars alone. These may be candidates for a GPS tracker. These items have led to the recovery of many a baby Jesus statues every year. A tracker can be hidden on the item and should it go missing lead you right to the thief’s doorstep, unless of course it gets thrown in a ditch. Either way you will get it back.


If you are planning on laying out hundreds of dollars on decorations it might be wise to consider spending a few more to ensure they stick around for years to come.



About the Author: Mike Ward is the owner and operator of Protection Depot, a leading online provider of wireless security cameras and hidden cameras. For more information about security cameras, please visit www.security-cams.com.

CCTV Film Making

Film makers are always coming up with new ways to expand their art. Recently several low budget films have been released created entirely with CCTV security camera footage.


Motives for this medium cover a wide range. Some out of necessity are simply finding a cheaper way to produce media that they otherwise could not afford to produce. The thought being why purchase expensive camera equipment when cameras are already out there setup and ready to film. Other film makers seek to make a statement about our society under constant surveillance. ‘Faceless’, a 60 minute film created entirely from CCTV security camera footage is about a woman in a faceless future society who develops a face. The films director and star, London based Manu Luksch, spent over five years collecting footage by request from CCTV operators to get enough material to create the narrated film.


How are these film makers accessing cameras? In one of two ways: hacking, and requesting. The Data Protection Act (DPA) states that individuals have a right to film which they are present on. Ms. Luksch sent out written requests to camera controllers for footage which she was present on. Camera controllers are obligated to post their contact info where cctv cameras are setup. Ms. Luksch has even written a Manifesto for CCTV Film Makers, stating the ethics cctv film makers must adhere to.


Another example of by permission film making is the seven minute long feature entitled, “The Duellists” which showcases pro athletes performing parkour stunts in a mall. In this case the director was given access to the malls security camera control room connected to 160 cameras and filming took place over three nights.


Others prefer the more immediate approach of hacking cameras or video sniffing. They capture footage using a simple 2.4 GHz wi-fi receiver and camera. Connect the two together and you can view any wi-fi signal in range. They simply wander around until stumbling upon a signal. Once a suitable signal and its source have been located they are then able to stage out their performance and collect the footage as it is transmitted. Most films of this nature protest social situations such as poverty, injustices, and video surveillance itself.


CCTV security cameras are everywhere, and As more people continue to explore this new art form we can expect to see more and more of these interesting films popping up on youtube and similar free media outlets.


About the Author: Mike Ward is the owner and operator of Protection Depot, a leading online provider of security cameras and CCTV. For more information about security cameras, please visit www.security-cams.com.

Deterring Vandalism

When it comes to the value of your home or the smooth operation of your business vandalism can be a big problem. Vandalism may be a simple toilet papering, egging, graffiti, or something more malicious like glue in a door lock, or violent destruction of property. Excessive vandalism can reduce property values, stifles business operations, and contribute to an environment of fear and oppression.


Understanding the mind of these criminals can help. Graffiti is usually done to send a message and the perpetrator has a great desire for it to be seen by as many people as possible. He or she may be communicating with rival gangs to let them know where they are and what they are doing. High traffic, high visibility areas are the most desirable. That being said prompt cleanup is the best way to stop recurrence. It may take some persistence, but if their hard work is continually removed or painted over they will eventually get the picture and return less and less. Alternatively when other “artists” notice graffiti in an area they are highly likely to add their own contribution.


You may not be able to address the social issues surrounding vandalism, but you can do a great deal to prevent your property from being a desirable target for vandalism and graffiti. Keeping an area well lit is central prevention. Signage stating, “This area under video surveillance” can be a great deterrent for more destructive crimes even if cameras are not present or you have fake security cameras. Catching vandals can be difficult to nearly impossible unless you are sitting outside your property 24 hours a day.


This is where a vandal proof security camera can help. These security cameras have a highly durable housing and operate during the day time or at night using infrared light. It very difficult to damage them and should be placed out of easy reach. The fear of being caught on camera is enough for most criminals to move on and find somewhere else to go. Wireless security cameras





Vandalism is illegal. Prosecution is often carried out based on the dollar value of the damage that has been done. Sentences range from a misdemeanor, or slap on the wrist, to felony charges, monetary fines, and up to one year in jail.


When whole communities act together to prevent vandalism the results can be profound. It creates a sense in the criminal mind that this is not the place for us. Even the worst areas have seen a reduction in overall crime rates from violent muggings to prostitution. Not to mention the citizens can enjoy a cleaner, safer, and more beautiful living environment.


About the Author: Mike Ward is the owner and operator of Protection Depot, a leading online provider of security cameras and fake security cameras. For more information about security cameras, please visit www.security-cams.com.

Easiest Home Security Cameras

It has never been easier and less expensive to install in home security cameras. There are so many reasons to install security cameras from keeping an eye on your belongings to watching the kids playing in the backyard while working out of your home office. Traditionally installing a security system meant drilling a lot of holes in the wall and feeding wires all over the place, but this is no longer necessary. If you have been considering getting a home security system, but are unsure where to start this article can help.


The easiest way is to purchase a wireless security camera kit. These kits come with just about everything you need to setup the cameras including the receiver. Wireless security cameras have all the capabilities of regular wired cameras, so you will need to decide which features you will require. Some of the options include color, black and white, infrared night vision, internet accessibility, and various options for video resolution. For a more hands on approach get a model with pan tilt and zoom functions. Use a hidden camera if you want to be covert about it. Another benefit of mini cameras like this is that they consume about 20% of the power larger cameras require. There is something to fit every budget and these security cameras can be purchased starting at around $80, but a higher quality model will run between $200 and $300.


Line of sight is an important consideration when deciding your cameras. You want to make sure there is adequate signal strength to reach the receiver. This usually is not a problem as most signals can be transmitted several hundred feet without a hitch. Higher quality models can transmit up to a mile. Obstructions like walls and solid objects will further reduce signal strength. When at all possible avoid line of sight through concrete walls. Bottom line if you place the receiver too far away from the cameras they will not work.


Setting up the cameras is as easy as deciding where you want to place them, mounting the cameras, and plugging in the power supply. The transmitter inside the camera will automatically relay footage to the receiver. The receiver can be plugged into any television. If you want to record data captured by the cameras the best way is to setup a digital video recorder. Internet based cameras allow you to login to a website assigned to your camera network and view footage from any computer anywhere in the world. You can even access footage over the internet from your mobile phone.


About the Author: Mike Ward is the owner and operator of Protection Depot, a leading online provider of wireless security cameras and hidden cameras. For more information about security cameras, please visit www.security-cams.com.