Excellent thread!
Years ago, when I moved to Cumberland County, NC, a sheriff's deputy showed up to greet us as we were moving in. Said the area we moved to had many home burglaries. Here is what he advised: "Put bars on all your exterior doors and windows, have a fire escape, get a gun, get a dog, and keep your perimeter lighted at night. Don't have shrubs or bushes near windows or exterior doors where a dork could hide." He also gave us his cell phone number in case 911 was busy. He took his patrol area very seriously, and in four years we never had to call for help.
I still consider that sound advice.
IMO, cameras do not deter ... they just capture the break-in if the crooks don't disable them first.
Years ago, when I moved to Cumberland County, NC, a sheriff's deputy showed up to greet us as we were moving in. Said the area we moved to had many home burglaries. Here is what he advised: "Put bars on all your exterior doors and windows, have a fire escape, get a gun, get a dog, and keep your perimeter lighted at night. Don't have shrubs or bushes near windows or exterior doors where a dork could hide." He also gave us his cell phone number in case 911 was busy. He took his patrol area very seriously, and in four years we never had to call for help.
I still consider that sound advice.
IMO, cameras do not deter ... they just capture the break-in if the crooks don't disable them first.