exterior wireless security cameras

We are a 23 member HOA located on a Private Road a mile outside of town. Most of the parcels are 5 to 10 acres. I have been asked to research the installation of a security camera at the entrance to the subdivision. We have had a lot of suspicious traffic and would use a camera to monitor vehicles and hopefully get license plate information. The Sheriff can not help us with speeders but trespassers, already warned by a sign with the appropriate legalese, have been a problem. Once the uproar over why we won't put a gate across the road died down, surveillance was the next suggestion and our board feels it has merit. Wireless cameras with motion detectors and night vision seem to be the best solution although they would have to be battery or solar powered, since there is no power available on the entry road. I would like to monitor it on my PC or DVR.

I'd appreciate any advice members could afford us on this issue, pros and cons,the best system to use if the member is pro camera, etc.

Thank you very much.

Jerry Tuck

Wireless camera kits have a maximum operating distance and weather greatly affects the signal. If that is your choice to go wireless rather than run a siamese cable underground to the closest residence, chose a high end wireless system. It is going to cost you! Don't forget to purchase a camera that is Vandal and Theft Resistance. I've seen many a camera swiped in all places! Don't even bother looking at Costco or any other department store. Purchase from an Alarm/Surveillance dealer or look on Ebay for quality equipment.

thanks,

15 years experience in industry.

Good luck, you have many issues because its so far away. Power, internet service, maintaining the equipment...

How about a simple hunting camera to capture the car image? You could visit it only when your suspicious of something, or a house gets broken into.

Jerry:

It sounds like no matter how you do it, you will incur a lot of expense installing a single camera at the entrance to your subdivision. What will you get for your efforts? Pictures of cars entering and leaving.

So when the Smith home gets broken into, you will have video of fifty or so vehicles. Unless the Smith's big screen TV is poking out of the trunk of one of those cars, your video is going to provide no real help to the police. They are not going to chase down all fifty cars to see who was up to no good.

For the same amount of money, you may be able to install many cameras on the homes of your owners, where you have power and cable readily available. This would put the video where it is needed.

A weatherproof, hunting camera starts around $50.

Check out (Community uses solar cameras to boost neighborhood watch) from the news feed page:

http://www.wndu.com/home/headlines/Community-uses-solar-cameras-to-boost-neighborhood-watch-163477086.html