Tierra H. was a student at Jordan High School in Durham, North Carolina.
Tragically, a couple on a walk one day found Tierra murdered, lying face down on the back porch of an abandoned home.
She had cuts to her face, head, and body and was brutally beaten.
When detectives arrived at the scene, they found a hall pass from the high school that was signed by one of the school’s principals.
Police tracked down the principal who met them at the high school to review security footage.
The school has over 50 security cameras and investigators found security footage of Tierra walking in the school hallways the day she was found murdered.
Around lunchtime, video shows Tierra walking and talking with a male student.
The principal was able to identify the male as her ex-boyfriend.
In the video, the two teens were talking and laughing as they walked.
But, seconds later the male she was walking with grabbed Tierra’s cell phone from her and quickly walked away and Tierra after him.
Once outside, the male walked away from the school with Tierra following close behind.
Soon, the school’s cameras lost sight of the teens.
So, detectives went to the neighborhood the two were seen walking towards.
A homeowner’s security camera caught the two teens a block away from where Tierra’s body was eventually found.
Police took all the video evidence and obtained a warrant to search the male’s home and question him about the murder.
The male was subsequently charged with the crime.
If not for all of the school’s cameras, and security cameras in the neighborhood, who knows if the police would have been able to solve this horrible crime?
Now, when it comes to outdoor home security cameras there are tons of options.
But one type of camera that’s often overlooked for security is a trail camera.
What is a trail camera?
A trail camera is also called a game camera.
They are motion-activated cameras that take pictures or video and are typically used to capture the actions of wildlife in the area.
These cameras can be set up and left unattended for extended periods.
They’re weatherproof and built to withstand outdoor conditions without needing a lot of maintenance.
Using trail cameras for security:
Most trail cameras are battery-operated.
This means they can be set up anywhere that you need surveillance.
Also, depending on how often the camera is activated the batteries can last months.
So, if you have a long driveway, or a large piece of property, a trail camera would be good for areas where there is no power or internet.
Most trail cameras have an infrared sensor that detects temperature changes or moving objects.
Another great thing about trail cameras is that they have night vision.
Since they are designed to be set up in places with no lighting the night vision is good quality.
There are several different ways to check the video captured by a trail camera.
Some cameras have an SD card to store the footage.
Other cameras have built-in cellular or Wi-Fi capabilities, so you can easily download the footage to a smartphone or computer.
That means, you don’t have to worry about running wires for power or internet connectivity.
Drawbacks to trail cameras:
Trail cameras can be big and bulky, and they’re typically camouflage colored.
So, you wouldn’t want to use them inside your house or even outside if you care about aesthetics.
Additionally, most cameras have fixed lenses, which means they don’t tilt or adjust to get the perfect view.
Since the cameras are battery-operated you don’t know when they fail.
The batteries could die before you check them so you might miss out on capturing some footage.
You should plan on replacing the batteries regularly to avoid missing any footage.
Lastly, these cameras typically only come with basic features.
They don’t offer all the neat features that come with a security camera that can connect to your home’s power and internet.
So, you won’t have things like talk back or live-viewing that come with most home cameras.
Trail cameras wouldn’t be my first choice of camera for home security around a building.
But they can be a lifesaver if you need to capture security footage in a remote location, and a great option for places where power or internet connectivity is impossible.
Now, if you are considering a trail camera, check out brands such as Browning or Bushell.
Aside from cameras to keep watch over your home and property, you should also have overlapping rings of security and deterrents to ward off intruders.
