Insuring Camera Destruction During Theft

JDJ

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If one of my cameras is stolen, I want to insure that the thief won't bother to steal from me again by forcing him to damage or ruin the camera as he steals it. In this scenario, assume the thief would only have exterior access, and would spend at most five minutes, because perimeter sirens would trigger. Because of the way the camera is installed, he would be forced to cut the camera cables, or pull hard enough to break them.

Let's say the camera only costs $100 new. What is the market for a used camera with cut cables? Wouldn't the resale value be ruined? Even if he goes to the effort of obtaining replacement cables, soldering, testing, and wading through any applicable Murphy's Laws, he would be left with a used and (probably) obviously damaged/repaired camera that he could only sell for pennies on the dollar.

Is my theory solid, or am I missing something? Is it easier to sell a camera in this condition than it seems?

Does anyone else employ tactics to damage a camera if it is stolen?
 

JDJ

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You are way over thinking this...no one is taking your camera.
Overthinking? Guilty as charged. :)

Just out of curiosity, I would value your opinion on whether a lower-cost camera would be worthless once the cables are cut.
 

fenderman

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Overthinking? Guilty as charged. :)

Just out of curiosity, I would value your opinion on whether a lower-cost camera would be worthless once the cables are cut.
Please don't waste your time on this.... this will cause grief only to you.
 

looney2ns

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If one of my cameras is stolen, I want to insure that the thief won't bother to steal from me again by forcing him to damage or ruin the camera as he steals it. In this scenario, assume the thief would only have exterior access, and would spend at most five minutes, because perimeter sirens would trigger. Because of the way the camera is installed, he would be forced to cut the camera cables, or pull hard enough to break them.

Let's say the camera only costs $100 new. What is the market for a used camera with cut cables? Wouldn't the resale value be ruined? Even if he goes to the effort of obtaining replacement cables, soldering, testing, and wading through any applicable Murphy's Laws, he would be left with a used and (probably) obviously damaged/repaired camera that he could only sell for pennies on the dollar.

Is my theory solid, or am I missing something? Is it easier to sell a camera in this condition than it seems?

Does anyone else employ tactics to damage a camera if it is stolen?
Install them properly, don't expose the cables to the weather. Postion them so you get good face shots. And your good.
Study this>> cliff notes.
 

SouthernYankee

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Almost all my cameras are covered by another camera. They are also behind a fence with two Dogs. Come on make my day :) :)
 
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pinko

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Chances of your camera being stolen are slim. As for the market,you couldn't give it away. No one wants a partially damaged used camera. A thief is more likely to target easy higher value items like garden gnomes and wind chimes.
 
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