Dummy-camera:

risks of simulating surveillance

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Dummy-camera, also called fake surveillance camera, is a device offered on the market as a cost effective way of deterring criminals and to intimidate anyone. Also ordinary people, when approaching a Dummy-camera staring at them, are induced to believe they are spied upon, and lead to put on their best behavior for fear. It could be said that impressionable citizens are scared of being caught on surveillance devices.

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The fake camera exterior appearance is quite similar to the real thing, but all the inside hardware is missing, as is the technology to provide image capturing. That is why a Dummy-camera can be so cheap, no costly system being built around it. The function of these fake cameras is limited to deterring people from performing criminal acts.
Is this enough?

It may be debatable if it is a good idea for anyone to implement a Dummy-camera or more of them. The point is that nobody likes to be observed for the record, especially if he/she is plotting illicit activities.

Realistic replicas
Some Dummy-camera replicas are so realistic that may be easily believed to be the real thing. One should consider those having a blinking light, a visible cable, a weatherproof protection for outdoor mounting. To be effective, a Dummy-camera has to look authentic, genuine, realistic.

Some fake cameras are pointing in a fixed direction, other ones, built like dome cameras, give the impression of constant 360 degree surveillance, with darkened bulb, looking quite realistic.

A more expensive special kind of fake cameras are motion activated. They have a built in motion detector, that provides back and forth movement covering the scene from side to side, upon detecting motion.

This feature is designed to fool observers to believe it is the real thing, by enhancing the similarity with authentic cameras. We feel that it would be preferable to spend money on real surveillance instead.

You may see one of the following dummy cameras which are not operational.

Motion-Sensing Dummy Cam - 7856M

Dummy Video Camera w/LED - 7856D

Deterrence factor
But can one rely on deterrence alone? If there is no other option it may be better than nothing. However we believe (and this is only a personal opinion) that a higher level of confidence could be gained by adding to the above deterrence (that may or may not be quite effective), some other form of evident or hidden surveillance.

If this type of reasoning makes sense to you, you may explore the full review of covert or hidden surveillance cameras given in another dedicated page,
Hidden Camera
and of course, the full range of real, in full view, either
Outdoor Surveillance Cameras
or Indoor Surveillance Cameras.

It is reported also that many fully functional surveillance camera systems in fact operate no better than a Dummy-camera. For any private or even public institution it may be quite rare to have teams of employees whose only job is watching continuously its surveillance closed circuit televisions.

Quite often, either nobody is assigned to observe the monitors at any time or, if they are, they may not perform their duty seriously enough for long stretches of time.

The chance of any alarming event being in fact caught, in real time or when recordings are played back, may be further reduced if a time-lapse recorder is used, because of the periodic black-outs. In fact when viewing in sequence the inputs from many strategically placed cameras, important events can be missed if they fall in switch-off time.

False security
It is sometimes contended that a fake camera may offer a false sense of security. This attitude may be dangerous and we would not want to encourage it.

The use of fake surveillance or of a Dummy-camera may be a provisional solution for people that think that they cannot afford at the present time an adequate amount of surveillance equipment, of installation and of maintenance.

A Dummy-camera may be a cost-effective temporary solution to any surveillance project by reducing somewhat the risk. Fake or dummy surveillance cameras may be better than complete lack of any surveillance system at all, but it may be unwise to rely on them alone.

For people that cannot or will not afford to spend on security equipment, a fake surveillance camera may be a preferred alternative. Many companies will claim to supply the best Dummy-camera.

Warning labels should be displayed, to reinforce the feeling that they are real cameras. And, to carry more conviction, a prominent sign could be added, warning that surveillance is being implemented (even if in fact it is not).

Criminal behavior
Most criminals cannot tell the difference between a real and a fake or Dummy-camera at first sight. They would not spend much time on the issue, unless they know for sure of any valuable loot to be obtained by not renouncing too easily.

It is true that most of times wrongdoers probably will not waste their time just to examine if a certain device is true or a fake Dummy-camera. But if the premises are sufficiently attractive they may try other means (that we will not disclose here, for avoiding giving ideas to the wrong persons).

Criminals usually study the area before they strike. If they see a camera outside a house (a real one or a Dummy-camera), they will probably be deterred from robbing the place.

Other risks
A Dummy-camera, as well as a real one, may risk to be vandalized if reachable. Therefore it should be located high, in a position that looks natural for camera placing but not easily reached.

The vandals could imagine from too close inspection, if interested, the real consistence of the camera. It is one more risk to consider, specially during prolonged absence.

Suspect people planning wrongdoing may be in search of weak spots to damage, in order to void the function of a surveillance camera that they fear fully operating to their disadvantage.

It is anyhow recommended to spend some time at regular intervals to dust the Dummy-camera and perform a minimum of maintenance, to remove any signs that might suggest that it is just sitting there for deterrence.

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Dummy-camera should be considered only as a provisional implementation of a more complete and structured surveillance system. How to avoid the risk of over-confidence by planning for security.

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