bigredfish
Known around here
Someone here gets it.
I've been dealing with video for years, both in my time as a police detective and via my side business.
It's amazing how many people--both industry professionals and enthusiasts just don't get it. That extends to people here as well.
In general, video is useless if it cannot identify people and vehicles. If you can't resolve faces and license plates, all the system is doing is showing you that something happened. Which you already know because something is gone, damaged, etc.
The one exception to your statement is if you hear a bump in the night and want to quickly assess whether or not it could be a home invasion in progress. For that reason, well designed systems will have a few overwatch views.
But if you have to choose, choose zoomed in views that give up situational awareness in exchange for capturing evidence.
Probably the only thing that displays more incompetence is the use of IR illumination outside of LPR or other special situations. Lighting is higher priority in a security plan than cams. You are always far better off with the possibility of deterring a crime than capturing it.
This is more important than ever in certain areas like NY where in general, nothing happens to criminals, even if they get caught. Between bail reform in NY and the state of CT doing nothing to juveniles, the criminals are more concerned with getting caught in the act (and being victims of violence themselves) than getting arrested later.
Agree 100%
I’m forever advising folks to focus on getting the money shot. Think in terms of choke points to get facial ID and or License Plates. I learned long ago that’s really the only things LE can make use of.
Overview cameras can also help with vehicles to match the plate to the color/make/model as well. That’s why all 3 of our HOA LPR cams have companion overview cams covering the capture area.
Unfortunately most homeowners simply want wide views and won’t understand until AFTER the event.