How effective are home security cameras?

OREGON, Ohio — Chances are, you’ve seen law enforcement or other security officials ask for help identifying a person caught on surveillance camera while solving a crime. Body camera evidence is becoming more and more useful to police, especially as technology advances.

In addition to requesting witnesses to a crime, the police are one of the first things they ask for when solving a crime.

“It’s hard to put a number on how often we use it, but it’s definitely something when we have it, it’s a great tool! We will use ours Facebook page quite a few to post it to our community, and a surprising number of people who will say, “Hey, I know this person!” said Sergeant Ryan Kantner of the Oregon State Police Department.

Many neighborhood departments say the cameras can not only identify suspects, but also the number of people involved in the crime and any vehicles that may be associated with those people.

Police suggest placing cameras on the front door of your home or in the corners of your home to capture relevant footage in an emergency. Make sure you know how your camera works, whether it requires a subscription series, and whether it’s properly charged, as this is another problem police face with cameras.

Generally, even if you don’t have a camera, it can be helpful to check with neighbors who do.

“You know, we’ll ask the neighbors what surveillance cameras they have in the area. And like I said, we’ll be checking three or four hours each way, because a lot of times you can see a person stop and look or organize themselves. before they get to the car. And like I said, sometimes you can get a better description out of it,” said Sgt. Kantner.

With the holiday season just around the corner and the possibility of pirates in your driveway, police say extra surveillance around your home can be helpful in case something happens.

More local headlines from WTOL 11