The only way to protect yourself 100% against porch piracy is to work things out so that packages are never left where thieves can steal them. But since that isn’t practical for many of us, we need to do what we can to keep porch pirates at bay. Enter the smart video doorbell.
The smart video doorbell isn’t a perfect solution to porch piracy either. But it is a key component in an overall security strategy that makes stealing packages too risky for most thieves. So anyone worried about packages being stolen should consider investing in one.
What It Is and How It Works
A smart video doorbell is a doorbell with onboard technology. It has an embedded video camera to record footage of anyone nearby. It also has onboard audio for communicating with visitors without opening the door. Finally, a smart video doorbell can be accessed remotely. Remote access is key here.
When a person approaches a home, a smart video doorbell recognizes the motion and sends an alert to the homeowner. The homeowner can then view live video footage on his phone. He can even talk to the visitor if he wants. Of course, the visitor can respond, and the homeowner will hear him.
Deterrence and Integration
The smart video doorbell’s ability to fight porch piracy is rooted in two things: deterrence and integration. Let us begin with the deterrence factor.
As a general rule, criminals are not big fans of video cameras. Cameras produce evidence that can be used to investigate and prosecute crimes. A porch pirate approaching a home and seeing a smart video doorbell will think twice about the crime he is about to commit.
In terms of integration, smart video doorbells can be integrated with other home security and automation devices. A video doorbell can be integrated with other security cameras. It can be integrated with a consumer’s alarm system, smart door locks, and even lighting. Integration gives a consumer more opportunities to create deterrents to porch piracy.
Deterrence in More Detail
The deterrence factor is all about forcing a porch pirate to decide whether he thinks he can pull off the crime without being caught. A thief who perceives his risk as too high is less likely to proceed. With that in mind, Vivint Home Security suggests the following deterrent effects homeowners enjoy via smart video doorbells:
- Visual Evidence – As previously mentioned, video devices provide evidence thieves are not very fond of. They do not want video footage of their crimes plastered all over TV and social media.
- Real-Time Audio – Real-time audio capabilities make it possible for consumers to scare porch pirates before they do anything. A thief who hears a homeowner’s voice over a smart video doorbell has no idea whether the person is home or not.
- Motion Detection – Motion detection capabilities translate into alerts as a person is approaching a home. A homeowner can take immediate action rather than waiting until he gets home to find his packages have been stolen. Immediate action is bad for thieves.
The best smart video doorbells have onboard AI capabilities for distinguishing between homeowners, delivery drivers, and potential thieves. They can also detect packages and notify homeowners when said packages go missing.
While it may be true that a smart video doorbell doesn’t provide 100% protection against porch piracy, it is an important tool that can be combined with others to significantly reduce a homeowner’s risks. If your home is not equipped with any other external video cameras, consider investing in a smart video doorbell. It could help a lot.
