Do Security Cameras Actually Deter Crime? What the Research Says

NetSecure360 installs ADT-powered security cameras throughout South Central Pennsylvania, including Harrisburg, Camp Hill, and Mechanicsburg. Here is what the research actually shows about camera effectiveness.

What the Research Actually Shows

The question of whether cameras prevent crime has been studied seriously. The findings are consistent across multiple independent studies.

University of North Carolina Study

One of the most cited studies surveyed 422 convicted burglars. The results were clear:

• 83% said they tried to determine whether someone was home before breaking in.
• 60% said the presence of a security camera would cause them to choose a different target.
• Visible surveillance equipment ranked among the top factors that caused burglars to abandon a target.

The Halo Effect: Cameras Protect Your Neighbors Too

Research on surveillance camera programs has found something important beyond direct deterrence: cameras reduced crime not just at the monitored locations, but in surrounding blocks as well. This "halo effect" means a camera on your home contributes to lower crime on your street, not just your property.

Citywide Camera Programs: Measurable Crime Reductions

Multiple studies analyzing citywide camera deployments have found meaningful reductions in crime across covered areas. The effect holds across different neighborhood types and crime categories, reinforcing that visible surveillance shifts criminal behavior at scale.

Why Cameras Work as a Deterrent

Residential burglary is almost always opportunistic, not professional. Most break-ins are planned for 15 to 30 minutes in advance. The burglar is evaluating risk versus reward.

A visible camera signals three things at once:

1. 1The homeowner is security-conscious. A camera shows deliberate investment in protection, which implies there may be more layers behind it.
2. 2Evidence exists that could be used in prosecution. Even if a burglar proceeds, they know their face and actions are on record.
3. 3A better target is nearby. Most criminals choose the path of least resistance. A house with cameras is harder than a house without.

Which Camera Types Are Most Effective?

Not all cameras work the same way for deterrence. Here's what research and security professionals agree on:

Where to Place Cameras for Maximum Impact

FBI crime data and security research consistently show where residential break-ins occur. For Harrisburg homeowners, prioritize camera placement based on these patterns:

• 34%

  Front door

  Doorbell camera, visible at eye level, covers the most common entry point.

• 23%

  First-floor windows

  Side-facing outdoor camera covering garage or window lines.

• 22%

  Back door

  Rear outdoor camera covering backyard, deck, or alley access.

• 9%

  Garage

  Overhead or driveway-facing camera. Especially important for attached garages.

Entry point data: FBI Uniform Crime Report and residential burglary research. Burglar behavior data: University of North Carolina at Charlotte, "Understanding Decisions to Burglarize from the Offender's Perspective" (2012).

What Cameras Alone Cannot Do

Cameras are highly effective against opportunistic burglars. They are less effective in two scenarios:

• Determined, professional criminals (a small minority of residential cases) who have already assessed your specific home as a target.
• Crimes of impulse or domestic situations that do not involve the risk-calculation that cameras disrupt.

This is why the highest level of protection combines cameras with a professionally monitored alarm system. If a sensor is triggered, the monitoring center responds. Cameras record; the monitoring team acts.

Frequently Asked Questions