Using Your Home Security Camera Footage To Provide Evidence Of A Crime

July 25th, 2022



When a security camera catches a criminal in the act, your footage is doing its job. Your security camera can be used to provide evidence and craft police reports, ensuring that culprits are caught if you become a victim of their misdeeds. While it’s true that security cameras do ward off and deter crime, there are some brazen criminals who ignore the presence of the camera, don’t notice it’s there, or think they can get away with their plans anyway.

You can use your security camera footage as evidence of a crime in both residential and business applications in Chico, CA. Today’s high tech security cameras are better than ever, and may even zoom in on the face of a trespasser for easy and clear identification.

Tips For Using Your Footage 

There are a few tips you should keep in mind if you plan to use your Chico, CA security camera footage as evidence of a crime or in a police report. These tips include:

Don’t post to social media

It might be tempting to post your footage to social media in order to gauge local friends and family on the identity of the criminal. Afterall, it gives you a melding of minds, and surely someone has to know who this individual may be. This can actually harm your case, and it’s best to share the footage with police and heed their advice first. In some instances, defense lawyers use images and videos posted to social media to “prove” their client has a naturally recognizable face, and that this is proof that the individual on the footage simply cannot be them. 

Use backup drives or SSD cards

Using a backup drive or SSD card makes sharing your footage with the proper Chico, CA authorities easier than ever. In this way, if you do not receive your footage back, it’s not much of a loss to you, and handing over relevant footage is incredibly simple. You won’t need to dig for the right portion of your footage, and police can get right to the point in watching it.

Keep watch for neighbors

If you spot something happening to a neighbor’s property, you can and should share this information and footage with them so they can share with the police if they choose. For instance, you see a figure making their way into a window in the middle of the night, and you share this footage with your neighbor. It turns out to be just their teenage child sneaking in and out, but it could’ve been a situation far more nefarious, and they’d be glad to have the footage to make a proper report.

A Valuable Facet Of Your Security 

Whether you experience a break-in, a vandalism event, or a person claiming to have been injured by a hazard on your property, your footage is an important part of keeping you protected. If you’re interested in learning more about using your footage in a police report, contact us today.

What Our Customers Say

"I had the Alibi system installed several years ago. It has functioned flawlessly. The image quality is exellent both night and day and in all weather conditions. I particularly like the replay (which can be set at various speeds) and zoom functions of the system. Tech support from Crimefreeliving has been excellent. I have received quick responses to questions, and timely home visits — as when I changed IP carriers and my Alibi system needed to be reset. I have recommended Crimefreeliving to several friends."

Rich

"As a small business owner here in Chico we definitely saw the need for video surveillance. After expressing our needs and concerns Tim did an excellent job getting us set up with the set up with the appropriate equipment. He really took the time to address our concerns in a very friendly, professional and knowledgeable manner. I highly recommend Tim for all of your business and residential video surveillance needs."

Ron H., Owner/Auto Doctor

"I have to say I love having my security cameras at my home. Tim Truby did a wonderful job of installing the five cameras. He is very neat and cleaned everything up after the installation. He explained to me how to operate the monitor, my phone and IPad. However, I have had to call Tim because I'm not tech savvy and forget what he has told me. He usually just helps me over the phone and then all is well. I'm 80 years old and enjoy the comfort of knowing I have these security cameras."

Gloria

"Tim Truby designed and installed a 32 camera system for us here at the Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District. We had received several other quotes from security system vendors, but Tim’s quote was the least expensive. Tim also installed the system quickly and has always been available when we needed him. We are very happy with our security camera system and we can highly recommend Tim Truby for all of your surveillance system needs."

D. Weseman, Butte County Mosquito and Vector Control District

Crime Free Living updated our old video system with a new 16 Channel HD Alibi Video Security System. The old system had been added onto by different installers which resulted in a cabling mess. There were cables that worked and cables that went nowhere. It was a mess. Tim sorted it all out and installed cameras that are very clear. He also installed a monitor for our cashiers to watch hidden areas, a monitor to watch the entry door, and a monitor that allows employees to watch the outside parking and gas pump area. All work was done on time and very professional! Will always recommend Tim and Crime Free Living.

S. AM PM Chico Arco Station

"I had Tim install an Alibi Video Security System at my residence and a couple business locations. The remote view option is invaluable to absentee owners or anyone who travels a lot. The clarity and quality of the cameras have allowed for viewing employee theft. The evidence provided from the HD video cameras was fantastic! Tim was professional and provided extra value from his law enforcement background."

J. Folsom Arco Station

"Tim, I want to thank you again for doing such a fantastic job on installing a wireless IP security camera system at our dream home. The extra time that you took to hide wires, and install a clean, professional system is much appreciated. I still can’t believe the clarity, quality, and ease of use of this new system. I wished that I would have met you before our original inferior system was installed by another company. Now, whether I am at home, or monitoring the system from around the world, I know that my home and family are safe and sound."

John M.

"In April of 2017, my husband and I made a phone call to Crime Free Living that turned out to be a smart and wise decision. Amazingly, in just a few hours, Tim installed four Dome Security Cameras, weatherproof enclosures, and hooked up into our home a 23" Full HD Widescreen Security Monitor. Even more than his professional expertise was the time spent with us in making sure that this system was working correctly and properly installed on our phones so that anywhere in our travels we can monitor our new home in Magalia."

Tieka and Don S.

"I have been using Crime Free Living for the last couple years ar work and at home and I really recommend this product. Tim is a very good service provider. If he can't figure it out, he's got good tech support with the system that he offers."

Gary D.

"I have known Tim for over 10 years. To date, Time with Crime Free Living has installed two separate surveillance systems for my company. With each system, Tim has listened to my needs and custom dsigned surveillance systems for my specific needs and within my budget. The equipment used is always state of the art, the workmanship is top notch, and Tim is the example of trustworthy. I would recommend him for any job."

Steve D., Down Range Indoor Training Center

images Certifications & Training

With 16 years of experience in law enforcement, Tim Truby, CEO, is fully certified in video surveillance and training.

  • Certified Advanced Crime Prevention Specialist
  • Academy Instructor Certification
  • California POST Certification in Specialized Surveillance Equipment
  • California POST Certification in Basic Crime Prevention
    • Advanced Crime Prevention through Environmental Design
    • Certified Alibi Security Dealer
    • Enhanced Risk and Threat Assessment (FEMA)
    • Incident Command System (100 & 200)
    • Certified Cognitech Video Forensic Investigator
    • Neighborhood Watch Toolkit Trainer
    • Computer Crimes/Investigations
    • Domestic Crisis for Crisis Negotiators
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