Had two units broken into, around 3:30 on a Friday. Did our normal rounds of our 7 locations. Noticed the door latches broke. Called the police once we got a download on a memory stick we gave them. Notified the tenants to come check and help secure the doors. The officer who works 5PM to 5 AM shift called around 3 PM today. He got the guy, or at least knows who it is.

1. The plates were stolen.
2. Not a clear picture of the person.
3. Officer recognized the make, model and within 2 years the year.
4. He did a search on that car model and color and popped up several cases open from other law enforcement offices from other towns.
5. Based on their pictures he was able to also identify the same car and person.
6. We got him a quote to replace two doors. Over $1,500 so it will be a felony. With that he can get a warrant for the guys, girlfriends' residence who lives in that town. They just need to catch him now.,

Since we started about 9 years ago, security cameras have gotten a lot better. Originals were 1 mega pixel, now up to 4 meg. The pictures are both clearer and focused both in the day and the night. These pictures pick up more light and ambient light at night for a better picture. Used to have pictures direct in the broad daylight and couldn't read the license plate. Now we can see small scratches and stickers on vehicles.

Our NVR or recording machine has also gotten better. Now we can record up to 6 months of data, although I prefer to only do 2 weeks. Plus, the new systems flag activity during time periods so you don't have to look through all 24 hours to find movement. Just go to the highlighted period. All of our cameras can now record sound if we want, most we can use as a speaker and talk through, but we don't, and all have zoom capability. None of our earlier models had any of these features.

Probably won't get our damages back, but still feel happy adding to the thief's legal issues.

Our locations stay really clean now. Have notified all tenants its $100 for me to pick up a bubble gum wrapper. With these systems we find who tossed the trash out and tell them they have by the end of day to pick it up or I charge them $100.

We have other motion sensors that wake me up at night. Versus running down to check we can check on our phones or ipads at home.

Technology has really advanced and is more helpful in the last 3 to 4 years. At our largest location we have 84 cameras. Equipment has gotten far less expensive also.