Surveillance cameras can help prevent home theft incidents
Consumers using devices to protect packages, thwart trespassers
Many Yuma residents have turned the tables on crooks by installing surveillance cameras to monitor the activities around their homes, thus preventing incidents such as packages and mail being stolen, a burglary or break-in, and having strangers nosing around on their property.
Sgt. Lori Franklin, a spokesperson for the Yuma Police Department, said in case there is some type of disturbance, it helps that the homeowner is able to provide the video footage to police.
For example, if surveillance cameras capture video of an unknown individual on your porch or looking around your property, but they don’t take anything, they are still committing a crime.
“Always call law enforcement. Let us come check it out,” Franklin said. “Make sure you retrieve the video so we have something to use to try and identify them.”
Even if police aren’t able to identify the subject, Franklin said police can still, if necessary, put the video out to the public asking its help in trying to get a positive ID.
Franklin explained that if someone has been told not to come on to your property, and they come back, they can be arrested for trespassing.
If the goal of having a camera is safety, make sure the angle of the camera will allow the user to see the person’s face. If the camera is mounted too high, a hat or hood could block the camera’s view.
If a homeowner does happen to capture something suspicious on their camera, and decides not to report it, Franklin suggests keeping the recording for at least two weeks for police, just in case.
Home surveillance cameras could also possibly help police solve other crimes as well if they are positioned in a manner in which they capture the street and sidewalk in front of a home.
Franklin said surveillance cameras are also extremely helpful during the holidays because it makes it easier to identify thieves who steal packages being delivered to people’s homes.
“It happens a lot more than usual this time of year because people are doing a lot of online shopping,” Franklin said.
If you are going to have packages delivered, Franklin suggests trying to be home when it arrives. If you can’t, she said ask a neighbor to keep an eye out for it, or ask if you can have your package delivered to their home.
Some employers will even allow employees to have their packages shipped to the company. The safest way, however, is to go pick up your package from the delivery service.
“You don’t want a package sitting out in front of your house for an extended period of time,” Franklin said. “Most delivery people, however, are really good about trying to put packages where you will see them, but can’t be seen from the road.”
And once again this year, the most popular item being stolen from people’s front yards, Franklin said, are the laser lights which projects a pattern of lights on to your house.
While they may not be worth much, Franklin said stealing decorations is a crime and police do take it seriously. The thefts, she added, are generally considered a misdemeanor.
If you see someone on your video camera as it is happening, and you are concerned, Franklin said to call 911 and report it. If you are looking at video hours or days later, call the police department’s non-emergency number, 373-4700, to file a report.