Between security cameras, social networking and word of mouth…


Story Created: Sep 4, 2011 at 9:38 AM AKDT

Story Updated: Sep 4, 2011 at 9:38 AM AKDT

Thursday morning didn’t start out so well for Anchorage School District Superintendent Carol Comeau.

“I was coming from a meeting downtown and I was told that West High had been broken into and there was substantial damage,” Comeau said Sunday, walking through the back yard of her South Anchorage home.

“It’s just stupid to begin with, that they think they’re going to get away with it.”

Students had overturned desks, destroyed supplies and sprayed a fire extinguisher throughout several classrooms, but the five teeneagers responsible were caught red-handed by school security cameras.

“Before the day was very far gone, the students had been arrested and identified and we’re moving to recommend to the school board that they be expelled,” Comeau said.

The district draws a hard line on property destruction, and Comeau said it’s much more than an innocent prank.


“We don’t just say one size fits all, but there are some crimes that rise to a very high level very quickly,” she said.

Vandalism is one of those crimes.

Several weeks ago, arsonists at Fairview Elementary School caused more than $200,000 worth of damage when they set fire to the playground, and Comeau said the district has already far surpassed its $300,000 annual budget for repairing and cleaning up vandalism.

Just like the West High students arrested Thursday, the Fairview firebug was caught when the arson was recorded on school surveillance cameras, and it points to a growing trend.

“The cameras caught the action,” Comeau said. “We had students already talking about it.”

Between security cameras, social networking and word of mouth, it’s becoming easier than ever to identify exactly who’s behind the crimes.

While the high school vandals wore clown masks to cover their identity from security cameras, they were found out when they bragged about their costumes the next day on Facebook.

In 2003, three girls were arrested for vandalism at Dimond High School after they also bragged about their crimes on Facebook.

“it’s amazing to me,” Comeau said, laughing.

So while crime never paid in the first place, today’s digital world is making sure it never will.

 

I thought this story painted a pretty interesting picture about today’s landscape for crime fighting. It seems like social media may be a huge benefactor for the court systems. I wonder how long it takes before someone  is convicted solely from evidence on social media… something like a facebook post or tweet. It seems incredibly scary to me to think that those channels could hold such power. They seem easily abused to me.

Till next time…


Protect your home & business with security cameras


The times we live in seem to be filled with crime and we are always subject to more and more stories of criminal offences taking place. Sometimes there is a feeling that perhaps we will never be able to feel safe again. But this need not be the way you feel as there are many options open to a person to feel safer. A great example of this is outdoor security cameras which people can use as a tool in their security plan.

Ideally, outdoor security cameras should be just one facet of an overall security program and this philosophy works for the home or business. In order to make sure that the security program works to optimum levels, it is necessary to have a number of factors in place.

The best thing to do when deciding to put together a security plan is to make sure that you talk to people who are experts in the field of security. It is a good option to choose a local security firm that has in depth knowledge of the area in which your business or home is located. There are many instances in which local knowledge can give one the upper hand over criminals. For instance knowing what the broader community is like and whether there are criminal elements already present and then also understanding the local street layout, can both work well to your advantage.


If consultation with local security professionals is not possible there are many online security companies that can assist you in determining just the type of equipment that you will require. There are three elements to a good security program though and these include Monitoring, Deterrence and Capture.

Monitoring is the first element and refers to the act of surveillance on the area that is to be protected. Outdoor security cameras play a vital role here. Given that they are small and not readily visible, it means that those under surveillance will act in a normal way and this could help to ensure that the thought of committing a crime is identified before it takes place. For this aspect to be most effective, it is very important to ensure that live video is being monitored. But whether you have live monitoring or not the cameras should also be recorded for later evidence if a crime is committed.

The second element is that of deterrence and this is perhaps the most crucial as these measures would aim to stop the criminal act before it happened. Deterrence measures would include things such as fences, visible security cameras, surveillance warning signs and even visible guards if this was deemed necessary.

The final item on the check list is capture and this is probably the least attractive element as it means that a crime has already taken place. The chances of apprehending criminals depend on the ability to respond quickly when an alarm is raised. As a result, it is recommended that your system is connected to the police or a security firm. This means that they can respond quickly and will have a better chance of catching the criminals.

These elements make up what most would consider to be a very good security strategy. Outdoor security cameras are a very important element of this strategy and even more so if one wants to prevent crimes from taking place. The only concern with these devices is the possible implications of entering someone’s privacy, but if it is one’s own home or business then this won’t apply.

Help Buying a Home Security Camera System


A home security digital camera or collection of cameras can be a wonderful addition to an already effective home safety system. A home security camera is used for quite a lot of purposes. The first function is to act as a visual deterrent to would be burglars. In most cases, having a home security digicam or a number of cameras put in in your property is likely to discourage a possible burglar. For most homeowners convincing them a home security camera can be beneficial is not the problem. The problem is convincing them that buying a security digital camera isn’t as overwhelming as it seems. This article will supply tips for choosing the right home safety digicam for your needs.

One of many first facets of home security cameras or digicam to consider is whether or not you’ll use a wireless home security system or one that requires connection to a power source. There are lots of security digicam options which might be wireless. This implies the digicam doesn’t should be connected to an exterior energy provide and there is no want for wires. Nevertheless, the digicam still requires a supply of energy which is commonly an inner battery. A wireless home security digital camera may be simpler to install because there is no wiring however it can be more difficult to take care of as a result of the batteries might have to be changed or recharged frequently.


The location of your home safety digital camera should also be thought-about earlier than you make your purchase. Generally, a home security digital camera is put in outdoors. This requires several considerations. Safety of your camera from the weather parts may be very important. It’s best to choose a home security digital camera that is designed to work properly in your environment. You must also think about where you wish to set up the camera. To successfully deter a burglar, the home security digital camera needs to be put in in location of excessive visibility as a result of burglars will not be deterred if they don’t see the home security camera. This may have an effect on your purchase because you’ll want to select a home safety digicam that will be easily put in within the desired location.

Lastly, it is best to decide how you want to file the photographs out of your home safety camera. The recordings out of your home security camera could be recorded in a variety of methods together with on video tapes, DVDs and in your computer. You must determine which method you need to use before purchasing a home security camera to make sure the camera you select is appropriate with your technique of recording.

There are various options obtainable for those who want to buy a home security camera. All of those options can seem overwhelming and should intimidate some homeowners from making a purchase. It is very important remember that careful analysis will make the purchase of a home safety camera a much easier process