BART, Numerous Businesses Using Fake Security Cameras To Deter Crime
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- The revelation that many of the security cameras on BART trains are fakes meant only to deter -- not record -- crime, came as a shock to many of its customers. But it's hardly the only business using dummies, or non-functional cameras, to try to fool the bad guys.
Chuck Wall, the chief executive officer of Creative Security and a former sergeant with the San Jose Police Department, said BART and many other businesses choose to buy fakes because they want to save money.
"It's safe to say that the number of businesses and clients that we come across that have fake cameras, or cameras that are not operating correctly is probably 15 to 20 percent," Wall said.
Wall says he gets about two requests per month from clients asking for fake cameras. but says he doesn't recommend them or install them.
"It's a liability issue," Wall said.
A search on Amazon.com turned up 60 pages of decoy cameras of all shapes and sizes. Many of the fake cameras are sold with window stickers that say "24 hour security" and "camera recording."
There is often no way to tell the difference between a working camera and a fake, but some customers say it seems wrong.
"You see them up there, and you have a false sense of security," said San Jose resident Dan Pacheco.
