Video Camera Surveillance with a twist

I promise you that I'm only starting a new topic after extensive research here and googling for hours elsewhere.

My current HOA BOD is a very young group, with no experience, and hold their current positions only as a result of a well-planned overthrow coup. None of them will be re-elected in our Feb 2009 election, but in the meantime, a special meeting is scheduled for next Wednesday to approve the following:

-- Replace the two non-working security video cameras at the front and rear entrances with

-- Twenty-five video-recording security cameras on a WiFi network that will not only cover the main boulevard, but also each of the 20 cul-de-sac streets and nature paths.

-- The camera vendor states that the new WiFi network coverage will also allow residents to give up their current hard-wired Internet subscriptions and access the Internet wirelessly for free.

-- The Twist: This wireless intra-network will also allow net access to EVERY resident to monitor ALL streets 24X7! This is a big selling point from the vendor, and should cover the new special assessment fee.

The BOD plans to reduce the hours of our current live security guards, and replace the vigilance with "senior citizens that don't sleep anyway, and can stay up all night monitoring the cameras from their PC." Those were the exact words from my personal discussion today with the BOD President.

I'm trying hard to remove my personal beliefs and emotions from this situation, so I just want to ask HOATalk if anyone has faced a similar situation.

Thanks in advance,
SB

Wow, that crass comment is sure to win a lot of votes from the senior crowd. I like this guy simply because he makes me look quite enlightened.

Seriously, if that comment makes it out you can expect a huge backlash from the citizens who might have otherwise been looking at the cameras. Further, I don't know if he realizes it or not, but there is a good chance that said group is not likely to be looking at their computers anyway.

All in all, I think the whole thing is a business decision. And I would be in favor of any action to reduce the costs. I don't personally believe that the cost/benefit is there for the vast majority of security systems. If you really feel a need, then I would go for a cheap service of with a uniform and a cell phone.

I personally have serious doubts that the wifi network will deliver as promised for a reasonable fee. The simple truth is that what seems like an easy thing has proven to be far less then easy when municipalities have installed them.

We did consider a system similar to what you propose (with only 6 cameras). There are many issues involved. The two that shot down our proposal were:

1. Initial cost of the system and the high maintenance costs.

2. While it seems like the cameras could replace guards, it came down to the fact that if there were no guards, who would be responsible for security? Even if the 'old folks' watched the cameras, they might not take action - and probably would not. Therefore the cameras are worthless. We also searched for a company who would monitor our cameras remotely and deal with the security - no takers.

I think your Board needs a detailed plan of how the system would work, who would be responsible, and what the REAL costs would be.

peter

SeaB,

Simple question: Why does the board feel this is necessary? Is crime that rampant in your community or is this perhaps just a "feel-good" measure of security?

FWIW: I test network system implementations for a living when I'm not dealing with HOA issues.

The bandwidth comment is an interesting issue. If there are going to be 25 cameras, I seriously doubt that this will be standard 802.11 WiFi like you have in the typical laptop. 3 or 4 cameras would have a serious impact on network performance. More than likely the vendor is talking about something like a Motorola Canopy system with much higher capacity. It also comes with much higher costs for both installation and maintenance. Plus any homeowner who wants to use it will have to have special (expensive) hardware.

If they are talking about standard 802.11 WiFi, then you won't have to worry about the pirates that Glen mentions. They would just get fed up with the slow performance and go somewhere else.