When you install a system, you aren't just buying a gadget; you are creating a surveillance boundary. Be precise with that boundary. Respect the fact that while your property is yours, the sidewalk, the street, and the airwaves are shared.

Have you had a positive or negative experience with a neighbor’s security camera? Let us know in the comments below.

Do you really need to hear what the squirrel is saying? Generally, no. Disable audio recording unless you are specifically monitoring a delivery zone. Audio is where most legal "expectation of privacy" claims are won.

It’s a familiar scene on social media: a clip of a porch pirate swiping a package, a bear rummaging through a trash can, or a neighbor’s dog making a great escape. Home security cameras have moved from luxury items to everyday essentials. In fact, walk down any suburban street today, and you’ll see the distinctive white glow of a Ring or Arlo camera on nearly every front door.