IC Realtime CEO Matt Sailor contributed expert commentary to CBS 12 Richmond On Your Side coverage examining why doorbell cameras can leave major gaps in home protection.
Doorbell cameras have become a default first step for many homeowners, offering a quick view of the front porch and a record of common incidents like package theft.
In the CBS 12 Richmond report, the technology was framed as useful—but narrow—because it typically captures only one slice of a property, while other approaches remain unseen.
Sailor’s commentary focused on the mismatch between perceived security and actual coverage. A single device aimed at the front entrance can’t account for side access, rear doors, driveways, walkways, or other places where a person can approach without ever appearing on the doorbell view.
Storage and retention were another practical limitation raised. The report noted that many doorbell cameras may lack on-site storage and rely on cloud recording that is not retained for long periods—creating challenges when footage is needed later for law enforcement or insurance purposes.
The segment also tied these issues to real-world expectations around evidence. When recordings are short-lived or dependent on account settings, homeowners may discover too late that the relevant window has passed or that video was never preserved in a usable way.
Rather than treating a doorbell camera as a complete solution, the discussion positioned it as one component—best paired with additional viewpoints that provide perimeter awareness and continuity beyond a single doorway.
Despite cost considerations, the coverage emphasized that the more meaningful decision is about risk and preparedness: whether a home’s security setup can reliably document what happened, from multiple angles, across the areas that matter most.
Sailor also pointed to a common behavioral trap in residential surveillance—assuming that buying a camera equals being secure—and encouraged homeowners to treat security planning like other skilled home services, where a professional assessment can reveal blind spots that aren’t obvious during a quick DIY install.