House Surveillance cameras

[SigmaPi@UofA]

Hi all...

We here at the University of Arizona... just got a house. However this was previously owned by XYZ fraternity... To say the least we are extremely trilled and happy to finally have a structure to call home... however we face an issue with the previous owners... I don’t want to bash this house so I'll say that this house is in bad shape… and before we being to repair it, I would like to set up a surveillance system. This way when something happens we will have it on film so our hard work and money will not be wasted. We are worried that the previous owners will come back and break every window again, deface the property, or endanger any of my brothers... For those with houses and surveillance systems in place... could you please give me a lead as to where i could go, and what prices to expect.... we are looking at having 4 cameras’ in place.


Thank you....

James
‘Sage’

[honeychile]

Count me among the paranoid, but I don't see anything wrong with survellience cameras, whether or not there's a prior history to a house. The biggest problem that would happen would be deciding who was going to watch these tapes!

If you can afford them, go for it!

[SiKeS]

I totally think its a good idea. AKL's annex was in the process of getting fixed up to move in.. Its a really nice property and was almost ready when sometime in the middle of the night, a group of people completely trashed it.. Broke windows, pipes, etc...

Repairs are now planned, but not in the near future. Sad but it happens... So security is def. a good idea. We'd like to have proof but don't.

To address the thread - Nope, sorry I'm not sure where to go about getting that.. Check your yellow pages for security

-Matt

[SigmaPi@UofA]

Originally posted by pixell
Why are you worried that they would do such a thing? If anyone has threatened you should definitely notify the correct authorities. Possibly talking to your president, advisors, or even the police depending on the type of threats.

Good luck and congratulations on your new home!

I am the current president... the local PD has been notified... also our greek office also advised me to look into surveillance cameras due to the current nature and past history of this chapter. I am not one to bash other houses so i wont, however we are worried and almost positive that something may and will occur such as broken windows. Every single window in the house was broken when they left, and to repair the windows will cost over 5K... the last thing we want to do is have to replace them twice, and without evidence as to who did this deed... we would have to pay out of our own pocket.

EDITED:
Im sure this does not reflect the entire chapter just a few individuals....

[Kevin]

Maybe haul their butts to small claims court to pay for your original damages to the windows.

Otherwise, you'll want to make sure to get some of those 0-lux cameras (work in zero light). Also, a well-lit exterior is a lot of help in reducing this kind of BS. There are better options these days than old-fashioned time-lapse VCR's. You can get computer software that does a great job.

Also, pay attention to the resolution of the camera. Many cheap models only have 300 lines or so of resolution which just ain't good enough to see what's going on say 100 feet away (what I mean is that it'll be tough to make out faces).

Just look in your local yellow pages under "security". There should be several firms there that do this kind of stuff. Get competitive bids and then have one setup a system.

[AGDee]

Keep in mind that all of your brothers actions will be recorded as well so they'd better stay on their best behavior! Their own tapes could bite them in the butt if they're not.

Dee

[AlphaSigOU]

If you're going to place a surveillance camera system in your house, abide by the following guidelines:

Cover all your entrances (main, side, delivery) and make sure they are well lit. In entrances that are not regularly used, have proximity sensors that will turn on the lights whenever someone approaches the door.

If you use videotape to preserve surveillance video, keep the VCR and tapes in a locked box that only one or two people have access to at all times.

Post clear notices that the premises are protected through video surveillance. Instruct members to lock their doors and windows in their rooms whenever they are unattended.

We don't have a house.

But my biggest peeve about surveillance cameras...is yeah they are on but half of the time not even recording.

[KellyB369]

Originally posted by AGDee
Keep in mind that all of your brothers actions will be recorded as well so they'd better stay on their best behavior! Their own tapes could bite them in the butt if they're not.

Dee

I was wondering if anyone besides me was thinking this.

[AZSigKap]

Hey SigmaPi@UofA!
I go to the U of A too and just want to wish you the best with your house! I am almost positive which house you guys bought so I TOTALLY understand why you are looking into getting security cameras. Anyways, I think we had a dinner exchange with you last semester and you were all great so, again, good luck! You guys deserve the best!

AZSigKap

[RedhawkPike]

Originally posted by KellyB369
I was wondering if anyone besides me was thinking this.

that was the first thing I thought of as well.

[Little E]

if you are gonna invest in this, go with a security agency who will also help upkeep the system. In four years, or so, your house will be full of new brothers and it is easier if there is an agency or whatever to help keep the system, knowledge like this gets lost.

lol i don't know if i'd want our house under camera though... that stuff is too 'Skull'ish to me. not that i don't love my sisters!