Front Porch Security Options

[N80]

I live on a quiet old street downtown in a small city in South Carolina. For the type of location crime has not been bad here even though sketchy areas are close by. But, yesterday I came home to find packages missing from my porch that were reported as delivered by FedEx. For a number of reasons I do not think they were stolen. For one, there was an Amazon package delivered at the same time that was not missing. Trying to deal with FedEx right now....not a good experience so far...but I think it is a FedEx glitch. Hopefully. Plus we've never had a package stolen off the porch. But, my wife thinks we need some sort of security out there and I agree.

I have two possibly impossible criteria. #1. I do not want it to be web, cell, wifi or internet based. In other words, I'm looking for a closed system. I feel like I give away too much personal info as is. #2. I do not want to pay a monthly service fee of any sort.

So the question is, is it possible to easily set up a porch security camera on my own without it being web based or paying a monthly fee. I'm sure there are ways to do anything but I would want it to be fairly inexpensive and simple enough to DIY.

Thanks for any input.

 

[AWSubie]

This is the type of system I use. Very easy to setup and economical. Any old computer display or small flat tv can be connected to it.

Search Amazon for various brands and numbers of cameras desired . The resolution of the cameras is not tremendous but good enough to monitor porch activity.

When Fedex insists that they have delivered an item It’s nice to be able to tell that u have security cameras and that no one has come to your house. They change their frame of mind very quickly.

 

[5030]

We just have a cheap $9.95 Harbor Freight wireless proximity alarm with the speaker end in the house on the ledge by the sink. Works flawlessly and the batteries in both the transmitter and the receiver last at least a year. Pup has gotten tuned into it as well. When it alarms (goes off), he goes off as well.

I believe you have an issue with Fed-Ex. We have had that happen more than once, tracking shows delivered but it wasn't and came the next day instead. Fed-Ex has been getting a little schlock about deliveries lately it seems,

 

[Rockbadchild]

yes for sure I bought a set online it was 8 camera with a receiver hard wires, we had it plug in on a TV. I believe we had the option to go see it live online but we never made the account... I can't remember the cost but it was reasonable and it payed for itself since we got stolen once and was able to identified the individuals and got our stuff back ...

 

[ljjhouser]

Cameras may be helpful to know when something has arrived or is missing. But it is a rare event that "scares anyone off" or "catches the person." I have cameras on both houses, 15 on one and 8 on the other, plus Honeywell Alarm Ademco alarm system on both.

To make the camera give you the information you would need to be a mega pixel camera (MP) for very high resolution. That means is POE - probably power over ethernet and connected to a nvr (recording device). Check Securitycameraking.com

I DO NOT recommend this as a solution. The object is to prevent the loss of packages. A camera will not do this. The neighbor across the street had a small motor bike stolen from his drive across the street. He asked me if I could see it. There was just enough to see the end of his drive. Saw the person take it, but NO facial identification - too far away. The simplest may be the Ring device. But it is internet. Most all cameras are.

Remote access means internet connected. Motion alert means you will get notice when the wind blows.

My best answer - have your packages sent to a pickup place, such as Walgreens - etc. A little trouble, but not near as much as the frustration of trying to find a package. Best wishes. Sorry you package is lost and hope you find it.

 

[workinonit]

I like my 8 camera ring setup. It does just what you are looking to do. But it is wifi.

 

[Rockbadchild]

Cameras may be helpful to know when something has arrived or is missing. But it is a rare event that "scares anyone off" or "catches the person." I have cameras on both houses, 15 on one and 8 on the other, plus Honeywell Alarm Ademco alarm system on both.

To make the camera give you the information you would need to be a mega pixel camera (MP) for very high resolution. That means is POE - probably power over ethernet and connected to a nvr (recording device). Check Securitycameraking.com

I DO NOT recommend this as a solution. The object is to prevent the loss of packages. A camera will not do this. The neighbor across the street had a small motor bike stolen from his drive across the street. He asked me if I could see it. There was just enough to see the end of his drive. Saw the person take it, but NO facial identification - too far away. The simplest may be the Ring device. But it is internet. Most all cameras are.

Remote access means internet connected. Motion alert means you will get notice when the wind blows.

My best answer - have your packages sent to a pickup place, such as Walgreens - etc. A little trouble, but not near as much as the frustration of trying to find a package. Best wishes. Sorry you package is lost and hope you find it.

I agree it has its limitation and if the intruder knows you have cameras and wear a face mask you are out of luck ... we got lucky to be able to identified it but it do give you more information with then without.

 

[N80]

All good points guys. But yes, it would be nice to be able to tell FedEx that they never delivered it or that I have proof that it was stolen. Funny thing is that this package was 70 pounds of brake rotors and pads. If they were stolen the thief is going to be unhappy with his labors.

 

[ljjhouser]

I wish there was a good answer to this porch theft business. It needs to be stopped. I do not feel sorry for people who do this.

 

[ljjhouser]

Will that thing connect to the internet so you can check it?? Ha LoL