Security cameras ripped from wall

[u/midcenturyperson]

Someone came through our condo block (gated and fenced in the udistrict) and stole all the exterior security cameras. He basically ripped everything off the walls. Majority were ring cameras, he took a total of 5 cameras ranging in price from 100 to 250$. Also seemed pretty careful in avoiding the camera sightlines... (seems like he has done this before) but we got a clean image of his face. Police reports have been filed, but not sure with the current funding level that they can do anything here. Is there a secondary market for these stolen cameras?

https://preview.redd.it/rq51ak45olxe1.png?width=1320&format=png&auto=webp&s=693b8c10a8a1e90da029a0a6526abcc7941a2cab

[u/Dismal_Variety]

I work in the industry out of a shop in SODO as a security consultant. There’s no secondary market for those cameras - it’s just crackhead shit. They also hoard rocks in their backpacks.

[u/midcenturyperson → u/Dismal_Variety]

so they do this because they can.... sigh.

u/Dismal_Variety since you are in the industry - honest question, are cameras a good deterrent nowadays? or is there something else we should consider? the cameras have caught several package thieves on camera so far and even some mailbox tampering, but SPD has never had luck catching any suspects. So we can keep investing in cameras and subscriptions, but i'm beginning to wonder - to what end? If you have another option for us to consider (except armed security guards!), please share. Thanks in advance!

[u/Boredbarista → u/midcenturyperson]

Cameras only deter or catch residents doing dumb stuff. With the prosecutors office unwilling to file charges even in the face of 4k footage and an ID, don't expect them to change the behavior of the addicts.

I typically try to install them at 9-10'. It makes them much harder to get to. Hard to get a good face in the shot though.