MONTEREY - Security companies on the central coast said surveillance cameras are a hot trend in fighting crime for businesses and homeowners.
"The neighborhood that they lived in they once thought was very, very safe is now being targeted," said Kenneth Pacheco, security consultant for First Alarm in Monterey.
Pacheco said criminals are more brazen, making people feel more vulnerable than before.
That's why he said he's installing more surveillance cameras at homes and businesses in recent years.
He said a surveillance camera enhances the traditional security system of alarms, because it can provide everything from a face to a license plate.
Local law enforcenment said it's that detail of a camera that witnesses can't even identify in some cases.
John Lawson, owner of Core Surveillance in Salinas, said his customers aren't necessarily victims before they get cameras.
Lawson said people hear enough about businesses and homeowners getting ripped off to want to protect themselves ahead of time.
"They're being a little more proactive about combating the crime on their own," he said.
Central Coast News told you about Tonya Linares last year when she and her husband caught a man stealing from their own driveway.
Police hadn't had any success catching the guy, so neighbors were circulating the surveillance pictures.
"It feels like he violated my life, my personal life," Linares said.
Police said there is always a better chance of catching the perpetrator with a picture than without.
On Saturday, two suspects were caught stealing money from Vapor Cleaners in Aptos in broad daylight during store hours.
Surveillance cameras captured them taking their time and then breaking into the store's coin machine, walking away with hundreds of dollars.
The business owner said since the surveillance cameras inside and security guards were not enough, she's having cameras installed on the roof.
