ORLANDO, Fla. — Wi-Fi enabled cameras are popping up on shelves everywhere, with inexpensive price tags. Crime statistics showed there are more than 100,000 home burglaries statewide each year. 9 Investigates reporter Lauren Seabrook compared them to the alarm systems people have been using for years, and found out which system could have police at a person's door faster.
A disturbing video showed two men lurking inside a Tavares woman’s bedroom last fall. A Wi-Fi camera caught the crime-spree in real time and texted a live video to the woman.
"It's a step forward from just the traditional alarm,” said Cpl. Sarah Coursey, with the Tavares Police Department.
The cameras react to motion and alert the homeowner, so they can call in real time.
"Our average response time to a call like that is three to five minutes,” said Coursey.
She said there’s a good chance the suspect will still be there when police arrive. 9 Investigates found Wi-Fi cameras for as little at $40 up to $180. Alarm systems monitored by companies can run between $99 and $3,000, plus a monthly monitoring fee.
Ana Tomlinson has a home alarm system that’s accidentally gone off in the past.
"Maybe within … I want to say like five minutes (the company) would call,” said Tomlinson.
Dennis Pena is the district manager for alarm company ADT. He said when an alarm goes off, an employee will call the customer immediately. "It's about 90 seconds,” he said.
If it wasn’t an accident, the alarm company then calls police. But Coursey said the response is slower for an alarm call then an obvious burglary in progress seen on a live video feed.
"We're not running red lights, or running code to try to get there as fast as we would if somebody says, ‘Someone is in my house,’” said Coursey.
But Pena said alarm companies provide other benefits. According to ADT’s statistics, having window decals or yard signs with an alarm company’s logo makes your home 300 percent less likely to be robbed. Alarm companies do offer the live video feed apps, but they’re sometimes more complex and costly.
Pena also points out that monitored systems provide other services such as a smoke and carbon monoxide detection. Plus, he said the sound of the alarm alone can be enough to send the suspect running.
"A loud siren will go off, which is very disturbing,” said Pena. “It's pretty much like having a cop car in your living room."
Coursey said sometimes the burglars are actually pretty savvy.
"I think a lot of them do know there's a time lapse so they can kind of stay around a little bit longer,” she said.
Some people told 9 Investigates that they would prefer to have a sounding alarm go off if someone breaks in while they’re home. ADT told 9 Investigates that it’s not concerned about the Wi-Fi cameras affecting its business.
Cox Media Group
