YOUR trusty analog home security video camera has done you well, but moving to today’s newer digital technology can provide an even more robust “digital watchdog” you and your home deserve when you go away on vacation.
Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers’ annual advice about safety and security while you’re away from home this summer includes considering some of the latest home security technology that does more than just record images outside your home.
“For example, people are getting on board with newer technology that allows you to use an ‘NVR’ or Network Video Recorder that uses wireless Internet Protocol (IP) cameras to transmit digital video images,” says Rob Irvine of First Choice Security Systems in Surrey, who demonstrated some of the new equipment on Tuesday with Linda Annis, Executive Director of Metro Vancouver Crime Stoppers.
“Other systems like garage door keypads with cameras can also help protect your garage and your home. These solutions don’t replace the common sense solutions the rest of should also follow, but they do add extra, reliable protection.”
Linda Annis also pointed out voluntary closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera registries are offered in some parts of the Lower Mainland. This allows police to know which homeowners have security cameras and are willing to share video evidence with police during a crime investigation in a given neighbourhood.
Surrey’s “Project IRIS”, North Vancouver RCMP’s “Project OPTIC”, Delta’s Community Watch Program and Port Coquitlam’s CCTV Registry are examples. All information is confidential, and police do not have access to any home security recordings without the owner’s consent.
“The latest in security systems and CCTV registries add an extra blanket of security as we continue to follow our usual common sense steps to prevent becoming victims of burglars and porch pirates,” Annis says.
“Crooks don’t go on vacation. If you notice something out of the ordinary in your neighbourhood, or have information about who’s behind any crime, send an anonymous tip to Crime Stoppers. If your tip leads to an arrest, you may be eligible for a reward of up to $5,000.”
Additional preventive measures:
- Make sure boxes from online deliveries are quickly picked up from your doorstep to thwart porch pirates. Ask a neighbour to pick them up if you leave town and return the favour when they go away.
- Resist the urge to post exciting vacation pictures on social media until you’re back. Nothing says “I’m not home” louder than pictures of you in a faraway holiday destination.
- Make sure your car and garage doors are closed and locked up tight, along with doors and windows.
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Trim your shrubs to eliminate hiding spots, and don’t leave bikes or barbeques in your yard to be stolen.
