I just moved to a new city, and did a Google search for my address and have found that my apartment was broken into on Christmas Eve last year. Now looking around the apartment, I could see where the door had been kicked in.

Has anyone had experience with wireless HD video systems and can recommend a starting point? I looked online and nothing stands out.

I figure I'd have a dedicated computer that can be "hidden" and have it communicate via wireless to the Internet.

Looking for something like this, but PC based and capable of multiple cameras: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BDDNmK9uhsI

I'd suggest you can save money with better locks. Prevention, not reporting.

Locks are pretty easy to defeat with force on most doors, and can be bypassed by going through a window. After decent locks I'd be looking at inexpensive hardening (lights on outside, lights on timers inside, thorny/spiky plants underneath windows, eliminating cover where appropriate), then an alarm, and after that more expensive hardening (reinforced doors, security film on windows, high-end locks).

I have a large dog with a terrifying bark. The only time I don't view him as being better than an alarm system is when we're on vacation and he's not home to protect my property.

When we're not home, it's been reported, he gives the mailman a half-hearted bark or two. When I'm home he barks rather more. When my wife is home and I am not, he goes to full-on Eat The Mailman Mode. This is a good thing.

Since it's an apartment, there's only so much you can do to reinforce things. It's not your property. Big dogs do very well, but I can't recommend getting a dog as a security device if you don't have any other desire to own a dog.

Buy good replacement cost insurance for you posessions. After appropriate training and practice, arm yourself to protect from physical harm. There are things you'll need to be intimately aware of being armed in an apartment situation. Safe lanes of fire, what's behind every wall that may be in your line of fire, etc. Don't ignore that part of it.

I should have said that. Thank you.



Training and practice should be an ongoing commitment.

I install camera systems from time to time. I don't ever install wireless cameras because they always seem to need a reboot now and then to keep them working. If you need your cameras to work, go with wired.

I think I only have to pay a Pet deposit...and check on my renters insurance for the "forbidden breed" list. You know, the breeds that actually will stop someone.

The reason I wanted to go with wireless is that I'm assuming that the doors and windows won't do any good. I'm also re-thinking because I'm sure that the opportunistic criminals would be the ones going after the electronics, NOT the really "cool" stuff like identity paperwork ( i.e. birth certificates, passports, social security card, etc. ).

Security is about creating layers of defense, with redundancy if possible.

Your windows and doors are the outermost layer. These should have good locks with reinforced hinges, locksets or window pins, and jambs, ideally with steel or at least solid wood/fiberglass cores. Burglar bars or gates are often on ground- and fire-escape-accessible windows and doors in high-crime areas, but pose significant safety risks in the event of an emergency, and may be prohibited in your building. Window security film provides good security without compromising safety and is more attractive than bars or gates.

After doors and windows comes curtains and lights. Deny a burglar the opportunity to see what valuables are available and chances are they will look elsewhere for a known pay-off. Leaving a radio on and lights on timers can be useful for inexperienced operators, but a pro burglar will usually stake out a neighborhood to watch for you to head off to work, rather than risking chance encounters with residents.

The next layer of defense would be an alarm system, and there are inexpensive wireless units ideal for temporary installation in apartments. Placing alarm stickers on your windows or doors, particularly for a high-end alarm system you might not really have, can be nearly as good a deterrent as an alarm itself.

The innermost layer is to protect valuables within your home. This includes using security cable locks on valuable appliances such as computers, tv's, etc., and a safe for important papers, cash, even laptop computers.

Conversely, if you are at risk for burglary a firearm is a liability. A burglar is not looking to enter your home while you are there. Unless you carry your firearm (with appropriate permits) make certain it is locked securely in a safe whenever you aren't present. The only thing worse than getting burglarized is putting a firearm in the hands of a criminal. The only thing worse than that is having that criminal use firearm against you if you catch him in the act.

Wireless cameras are only useful for documenting the theft, and even then, unless you go with a costly commercial system, rarely provide enough quality to positively identify the perpetrator. The only one I have personal experience with is the WiLife system from Logitech, now replaced with the Logitech Alert product line. This system requires a PC to collect the video and then uploads it automatically to Logitech servers, where you can view it remotely (from a PC or smartphone) or download it to provide evidence to the police if your PC is among the stolen property. I consider the PC to be a weak link, as they are prone to crashing or rebooting and hanging periodically. Using a dedicated PC for the camera system would be more reliable, but at that point the cost of a commercial system is within reach.

Thanks Mark_M. I can only do so much being in an apartment, but the obvious stuff of reducing your vulnerability is best. With gun control laws, it appears it is more trouble than it is worth. The area I'm in, with a State Line running between two cities really complicates things. Not sure how having a weapon is really a "self defense" option if you cannot carry it 95% of the time.

I'm under the assumption I've done everything I can reasonably do, and the point of the surveillance system was to provide good evidence after the fact. HD seemed to be the best way to go. My assumption is that the would-be thieves are amateurs or semi-pros.

The point of the wireless was so that both the wirless router and computer could be hidden in the apartment (or in the walls) and you'd only be able to find the cameras. The outside internet connections are in steel cabinets, so someone would have to take out lines on the pole, or underground, which if you're that dedicated, nothing I do will stop you. I wanted something that would drop the video to the computer, and then upload.

Because of the current state of laws, I did not plan on putting any cameras pointing to the INSIDE of the apartment.

I'll check out the Logitech system and see if it meets my needs.

Excellent points, but I would like to add a few more.

1) Most sliding windows can be lifted out of their frames and the casement locks that come with them are typically weak enough to pop with a flat prybar. Since it's a rental, I doubt permanent alterations are allowed. You can use foam tape to hold blocks in place for the same purpose. Back up the original locks with wood dowels.

http://www.command.com/wps/portal/3M/en_...Vbe7NZP56G6BDgl

2) Buy a decent confetti shredder and use it. No matter what apartment complex I lived in somebody would always go through the trash. I kept finding envelopes that I had thrown out lying on the ground next to the recycling bin. Your identity can be stolen and sold, and it can be VERY expensive for you. If it has your name and adress on it, it get's destroyed. Also consider moving documents off site into a safe deposite box.

3) The same goes for computer data. Encrypt anything else that can be used for identity theft.

4) No idea how to reinforce the door without permanent modifications. Material for convincing the apartment manager is below.

http://www.thenationallocksmith.com/public.asp?2

EDIT


Wanna bet!?! The last time my car was broken into, the theft of my personal papers cost me many times that of replacing the window and radio. Even after adding onto what the insurance covered.

In my experience, the biggest gap in the typical apartment's layered security is that the apartment management will have keys to your apartment, and thus access whenever it deems it necessary. Most apartment leases I've seen have a clause in them to this effect. So even if you change the locks, they have to have a key. Thus, a lot of the security measures can be simply bypassed. Your apartment can be entered, searched, valuable things noted and indexed.

Good replacement value insurance and off site storage for anything you can't afford to lose is, IMO, the best protection. In particular I do not feel comfortable leaving any firearms in an apartment unless they are in a substantial safe when you are not in the apartment. They just have too much "street" value.

Cameras will help document the theft, maybe even help catch the person. They do not mean you will actually recover anything taken. I'd prefer not to take the loss in the first place.

Yeah, me neither. Getting my own house is a priority!