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Across the US, Popular Video Doorbells Are Recording their Own Thefts (digitaltrends.com)
There has been an uptick in reports of video doorbells getting stolen, according to local news reports. A story adds: According to the reports, residents are waking up in the morning or coming home at night only to find their video doorbell devices stolen. Typically the devices are screwed into place on the outside of a house, often with mounts or braces to hold them in place. While they are wired into the wall, thieves don't seem to care too much about that. In most cases, residents appear to report the devices have been pried off the side of their home. In some cases, the cameras are able to capture an image of the perpetrator as they are stealing the device. Those images are usually available through mobile apps connected to the doorbell, which might help police track down the person responsible for the theft. However, there's no guarantee that officers will be able to find the thieves, especially if they steal the device while keeping their face and other identifying features covered while on camera. Police are suggesting that people keep track of the serial number on their devices in order to keep track of them and watch in case the devices appear on Craigslist, eBay, or other online marketplaces.
A couple of days ago, Teslarati reported a case in which a Model 3 caught video of a thief breaking in that showed both his face and his license plate. From the article:
the Tesla owner noted that he was simply informed that an officer might look into the incident
The emphasis on "might" is mine.
Given that replacing the rear window on a Model 3 will likely cost quite a bit more than your typical video doorbell, I'd be surprised if you even get a "might" from the officers on the doorbell. In fact, they'll likely be annoyed if you make them do a report.
Police "suggesting" that people record serial numbers and "patrol" craigslist, fb market place, eBay, store bulletin boards.. what nonsense. Either the police actively will work a crime or they won't. Apparently personal property crime has become such a banality, law enforcement have abdicated their responsibilities. We as citizens shrug with little recourse other than conscientious objectors, must accept the fact the US is one step from anarchy.
This reminds me of the early 1970s when crime was so bad all the cops could do was recommend you get a gun to protect yourself.
That seems like it might be used by some manufacturers as an excuse to effectively prevent selling of used devices. Which is not to say that it would be a net negative—just that it can be abused.
Then, possibly less than a year after the thing hits the shelves, the company loses interest and you're just out over $100 because they've been "discontinued".