A mid-June 2024 report from the Observer Research Foundation found that footage from security cameras were 65% of the time valuable to catch miscreants. Home security cameras are the ultimate neighborhood watch volunteers, always vigilant, and ready to record. They don’t sleep, don’t blink, and provide crucial evidence that can crack open a case. Here are 15 examples of how footage from home security cameras helped bring criminals to justice.
Ecommerce package stealer
In 2022, a Ring doorbell camera in Orlando captured a teenager nonchalantly swiping a package from a doorstep. The homeowner immediately contacted police, who used the clear video footage from the home security camera to identify and arrest the suspect. The stolen package was recovered and returned to its rightful owner.
Teenaged spray painting artist
In 2023, a high-definition doorbell camera with night vision in Seattle recorded a group of teenagers egging and spray painting a car parked in the driveway across the street. The homeowner, upon reviewing the footage the next morning, contacted the police. The detailed video showed the faces and clothing of the suspects, making identification easy. The teens were apprehended and faced charges of vandalism.
Mountain bike bandit
A motion-activated security camera mounted on the garage of a house in Austin in 2021 captured a thief using bolt cutters to break the lock and steal a high-end mountain bike. The homeowner was alerted by the home security cameras and immediately contacted the police. Police circulated stills from the video footage, leading to a tip and the arrest of a known bicycle thief. The stolen bike was recovered and returned to the relieved owner.
Neighbor turned vandal
In a quiet suburban neighborhood in Charlotte in 2022, a homeowner noticed a long scratch down the side of their car. Upon reviewing their security camera footage, they saw a neighbor walking by their car, stopping briefly, and then hurriedly walking away. The video showed the neighbor holding a sharp object, leaving no doubt about their guilt. The homeowner confronted the neighbor, who sheepishly admitted to the vandalism and offered to pay for repairs.
Gas station hit-and-run driving
A busy highway in Phoenix installed high-resolution security cameras after a string of hit-and-run accidents in 2023. In 2024, a car slammed into a gas pump and sped away, which was captured by the installed security cameras. The footage revealed the license plate of the fleeing vehicle. Police quickly identified the owner, who admitted to the accident and faced charges for hit-and-run driving.
Camera and dogs
In 2022, a homeowner in Denver received an alert from their home security systems in the middle of the night. They saw a shadowy figure approaching their front door. Suddenly, their Golden Retriever started barking ferociously, which startled the would-be burglar and sent them running away. The homeowner promptly filed a report at the nearest police station. The dog and the camera saved the night!
Tampered mail box
In 2023, a resident of Portland noticed that their mailbox looked tampered with and several pieces of expected mail were missing. On reviewing the doorbell footage, the resident found that the mail carrier did deliver a package but the package looked suspiciously empty. The resident contacted the post office and shared the doorbell camera footage. This evidence helped launch an investigation into mail tampering within the local postal service.
Witness on the wall
For an observant resident in a close-knit community in Chicago, the home security cameras mounted on the side of their house captured the footage of a masked individual breaking into a neighbor’s house across the street. The resident alerted the neighbor and called the police. The police apprehended the suspect as they were attempting to escape with stolen valuables. The neighbor’s security camera footage provided crucial evidence for a swift prosecution.
Georgia’s unlocked car thefts
In 2023, a quiet neighborhood in Atlanta was plagued by a string of thefts from unlocked cars. A resident who had a security camera mounted on their garage captured the footage of a young man rummaging through unlocked cars parked on the street. The homeowner shared the clear video footage with local authorities, which helped the police to identify the suspect. The video evidence led to the arrest of the young man. Stolen items were returned to their rightful owners.
Suspicious camper with tinted windows
In a rural area outside of Boise in 2024, a homeowner woke up to an alert from their security camera systems signaling an unfamiliar car parked in their driveway. The homeowner checked the camera feed and saw a suspicious-looking camper with tinted windows. Concerned, the homeowner called the police immediately. When officers arrived, they ran the license plate and discovered the camper was reported stolen. The stolen vehicle was recovered and an investigation into the theft was launched.
Upgraded neighborhood watch
In 2023, the town of Fairfax launched a community program that encouraged residents to register their home security cameras with the local police department. This network of vigilant eyes proved its worth when a string of vandalism incidents hit the town park. By reviewing footage from multiple registered security cameras in the vicinity, police were able to track the movements of the suspects and identify a group of teenagers responsible for the damage. The teens were apprehended and faced charges of vandalism.
Saving the dog’s reputation!
In 2022, a dog owner in Miami returned home to find their neighbor angry and complaining that the homeowner’s dog destroyed the neighbor’s flower bed. The neighbor threatened legal action. Luckily, the dog owner had mounted a security camera overlooking their backyard. The camera footage showed that a stray cat had destroyed the flower bed. The relieved dog owner shared the video evidence with their neighbor, avoiding a potential lawsuit and preserving the good neighborly relations.
Rounding up vandals
In 2024, a newly built high school in San Jose installed high-resolution security cameras throughout the school grounds to deter vandalism. The investment paid off when security footage captured a group of students spray-painting graffiti on the school walls after hours. The school used the video footage to identify the students and issued disciplinary actions.
Cyclist hit by a car
An avid cyclist in Austin always wore a helmet camera on their rides. In 2023, while riding on a busy road, this precaution proved invaluable when they were struck from behind by a car. The helmet camera captured the entire hit-and-run incident, including the license plate of the fleeing vehicle. The cyclist, despite sustaining minor injuries, reported the incident to the police and provided the crucial video evidence. The driver was later identified and charged with hit-and-run driving.
Foiling a home break-in
In 2022, a homeowner in Los Angeles received a motion alert from their home security cameras in the middle of the night. The homeowner watched in horror as the live feed showed a figure attempting to break into their back door. Without hesitation, the homeowner called 911 while keeping an eye on the live feed. The police arrived on the scene within minutes, apprehending the suspect as they were trying to pry open the door.