According to the Heisenberg uncertainty principle, you can not know the true effectiveness of installing a security camera because once people are aware they are being watched, they stop commiting crimes.
Okay, Heisenberg wasn’t talking about theft and crime, he was referring to the obsurdity of quantum mechanics where observing an event changes the outcome of the event. However, this applies to crime too, where a potential thief who knows they are being watched, is obviously less likely to commit a crime for fear of being caught. Although a well prepared theif may simply don a mask before commiting a crime, the majority of crime can be prevented before it occurs.
This means that fake security cameras can potentially have the same effect in preventing crimes from occurring, even if they lack the follow up uses of evidence gathering and criminal prosecution.
What are some of the benefits of fake security cameras?
Obviously the number one benefit of installing a fake security camera is to deter crime
Improved customer service and employees effeciency is an added bonus of dummy cameras
Employees who work security will often increase patrols and remain more vigilant if they believe there are surveillance cameras watching them.
They give employees a sense of security which in itself can ward off potential criminal behavior.
What is Downside of installing Fake Security Cameras?
They may provide a false sense of security as well. This is why most security experts and CSOs choose to implement a mix of both functioning and non function cameras. This allows you to have surveillance in the most important places, but also allows you to give the impression of surveillance in areas that may have installation contraints.
So what makes a good Fake Security Camera?
Good fake security cameras can be intentified by one single trait. They are real cameras.
That is to say, the casings are the exact same casings that house real surveillance cameras, the only difference being that the fake security cameras are missing the inside electronics, lenses and other componentry.
The general rule of thumb is that the more features the dummy camera maintains, the more realistic and effective it will be. This means you can get a quality dummy camera that offers things like:
- Infrared blinking lights
- Pan Tilt Zoom
- Motion detecting
and pretty much any other feature found in a real camera.
In fact, some people buy real cameras and use them as fake cameras by simply not hooking them up.
Lets take a look at some of the available options for dummy security cameras
First you will probably want to let people know they are being monitored. Try out a set of stickers or a lighted cctv sign like this one.
Next decide on the style of camera you think works best.
Fake Dome Cameras
A fake dome camera will run anywhere from $14 – $50 depending on the features.
The Dome Dummy Camera with LED light
The Dome Dummy Camera with LED light can be mounted to the wall or ceiling and is powered by a couple of aa batteries. It measures about 5 x 5 inches and about a foot across, and has an LED light that adds a realistic effect.
The Dummy IP Camera with Light
The Dummy IP Camera with Light is a bit smaller measuring closer to 4” x 4”. This housing was originally designed for an IP camera that allows viewers to log in remotely.
The Dome Dummy Camera with Motion Activated Light
This fake camera has a built in motion detector that activated a red led light when someone gets within 3 feet. The best benefit of this camera is that the LED Light helps drawn attention to the camera, and adds to its realistic creditbility.
The 8 Inch Dome Dummy Camera in Outdoor Housing with LED Light
This fake dome camera works great outside. Even some really sophisticated crooks will see this as a high tech surveillance system. It has a red led blinking light, and gives off the impression that your business is guarded by 360 degrees of security surveillance.
Fake Bullet Cameras
Bullet cameras are very common and immediately let people know that they are under surveillance. Some business prefer dome cameras to bullet style because a dome camera is protected from someone redirecting it towards a wall. However Dome cameras aren’t quite as obvious to people and don’t function quite as well as bullet cameras when acting soley as a deterrant.
The Silver Bullet 5 Inch Dummy Camera with Square Shield
The led light on this camera was actually added as an afterthought so that people could see the camera at night.
A great fake security camera for use in parking lots, this bullet camera has an authentic video cable, and weather proof aluminum housing.
Solar Powered IR Dummy Camera in Circular Outdoor Housing
This dummy camera is powered by the sun if you install it outdoors, but it also takes 2 aa batteries if you want to install it inside. Measuring 10”x 6” x 7” this fake security camera features an authenic video cable,a nd a fullly adjustible plastic mounting bracket.
Zoom Cameras
Dummy Camera with Zoom Lens and Motion Detector
This security camera housing features a fake wireless antenna and zoom lens, but also has a fully functioning motion detector. If someone walks by within 10 feet, the camera will begin to pan back and forth, adding to the realism of the unit.
It also comes with a cctv window sticker.
Heavy Duty Dummy Camera in Outdoor Housing with Light
This was an actual unit for housing a security camera and its large size makes it very noticeable day or night. It also has a flahing LED light that makes sure it will get noticed. Very easy to install, this camera housing unit is 9” x 5” x 4”
The 15 Inch Heavy Duty Dummy Camera in Outdoor Housing with Light
If you thought the 9inch was a beast, this 15 inch is sure to entice you.
This heavy duty dummy camera in outdoor housing with light is the first of its kind to have the camera lens built into the glass front. This camera is next to impossible not to notice due to its size and led light.
With an authentic weather proof heavy duty metal housing, video cable, and fully adjustable and easy to install metal mounting bracket, this fake camera is the top of the line and works great for any outdoor location or event where you want to deter crime.
Fake Security Cameras always work better when mixed in with real security cameras, but are often used alone as well, especially during traveling events or where the installation of active surveillance is contrained due to location.