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You can get spun up quite quickly with just a USB webcam, a raspbery pi or an old laptop, and storage.
check out amcrest cameras. last i heard, they’re privacy respecting.
Those seem pretty affordable. Local storage to an SD card and optional cloud subscription. Thanks!
Unifi is local, with optional cloud. Very pricy though.
It is and seems they're really more geared towards larger installations with lots of users. It's sleek though and if I ever decide to put up a bunch I'll put this one high on the list
Cloudkeys are the low end, only support 20ish cameras. You don't have to go full dream machine or whatever their top end stuff is. Still, expensive.
I've installed a doorbell camera from Reolink. Has a slot for an SD card for recording, motion sensing and push to your phone when something triggers, can pull up playback or live on the app through your local wifi. I think Eufy has something as well.
Neither of those 2 companies are privacy respecting though.
I have a Reolink doorbell cam. I bought the POE version, have it connected to Frigate on my server for object detection purposes and triggering alerts, and the alerts are delivered via Home Assistant notifications.
So I guess it's possible to do it reasonably privately, even if using the Reolink app isn't.
If you use any cloud functions. But cloud just means someone else's computer, so nothing is guaranteed anyway. For local though, as long as your network is secure, so is your data, as much as it can be.
How do I verify companies? This is where I'm lost. I have the idea of what I want but not the words
Is there a trusted site that focuses on privacy that reviews products or companies for their integrity?
I got a waterproof usb webcam, drilled a hole through the wall and connected it to a raspberry pi
Plenty of network cameras, plus anything to run Frigate.
But what are you going to do once you have the video? Usually people want very obvious cameras as a deterrent, to discourage the crime in the first place. If you set the camera and catch them, are you going to confront them? File a police report that will probably do nothing?
OP asked for monitoring suggestions, but my first thought was to put out a fake package that simply has a note: "I'm watching you, stop or I'm going to the police". Which I guess may or may not work, but it's a start, and a warning of intent.
That was definitely a first thought, but alas I was mistaken. I basically jumped to conclusions and I'll reflect on that, but it was not stolen
Set up "no trespassing" signs. Delivery people (usually) still deliver packages as they were invited to the property. Record neighbor trespassing AND stealing, prosecute for a double whammy.
Depending on state, both offenses could be criminal charges, meaning no cost to you.
Absolutely go for the kill and send a clear message.
Our community does what it can to keep out unwelcome visitors. Unfortunately I live in multifamily housing and we give up some luxuries like property so there's not really a trespassing route (though I guess I could argue I pay for half of the space between the units)
Ultimately though I was a fool and no one took my package. I got mad before thinking and that's something I need to work on
Just to know what happened to it and catching the suspect in the act. (I live somewhere where if the theft was proven it would be a legit problem.) But, I was reacting hastily and really made a fool of myself
But yes, the better option would be to get something obvious as you said. I've seen it frigate talked about before but never looked in depth; I'll check it out
Hmm. If you're somewhere with strict laws, like Singapore or something, I would also consider whether there might be a law against secret recording, or recording of other people, and whether that includes audio or just video.
I do appreciate the concern. I live in a place where recording private interactions isn't allowed unless all parties consent; however, in public there's no expectation of privacy. I can record my outside which includes passersby via audio or video
I am no expert by any means. We bought a couple Wyse cameras. Been 2 yrs and doing fine. Cameras are a good price. All the other feature software addons like person detection etc not so much of a good price. We just got lowest tier which fits our needs.
I have one of those but I thought it was one easily exposed to the web. I could be misremembering something I read a while ago, so I'll look it up again
this post was submitted on 12 Sep 2026
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