Point is, it''s difficult to know the technology or features behind a specific camera simply by looking at it from the outside. What you should probably know are these:
1.) Analog cameras are phasing out giving ways for new sophisticated cameras like IP cameras that can be monitored from anywhere at anytime. so the person monitoring may even be in the subway train, you may never know.
2.) Unlike years ago, many CCTV users can now backup their video recording using cloud storage unlike many years ago where storage was a problem. So if anyone commits crime even 6 months after, they can always retrieve their data to check by date or something.
3.) Fake cameras are also out their to deceive you into thinking there's a CCTV camera present while there's none. But you still cannot tell it's fake because they look so real. however, those who use such fake cams often add real ones + fake ones. Read more here: http://www.smart-surveillance-tips.com/fake-surveillance-cameras.html
4.) Security cameras are now cheap and sophisticated with several functions like: face tracking and detection, motion detection, sound detection, night recording ability etc
Only a novice would mess with such cameras.