Question Apartment Door Camera - to stop "porch pirating"

[truckinboots]

Hey Folks,

I'm trying to determine what the most cost-effective camera would be and what holders/mounts would be needed to accomplish the task. Its for an apartment door. Its primary function is to capture and record anyone who steals packages. There has been numerous thefts in the last 3 - 6 months, like over 10 packages have gone missing. I'm convinced someone is stealing. So the goal is to stop that. There was an incident of a different nature. So it has become readily apparent that the door needs to be monitored.

The thing for me is - subscription? no-subscription? There's so many cameras out there, some are real expensive, but they don't seem to hit the nail on the head, for what I'm looking for? So I thought maybe I'd ask the forum. I just don't have any experience with door cameras at all. This angle, that angle, but none seem to hit where the bottom of the door and the floor meet, which is where packages are normally delivered too. So that's kinda critical? Battery operated is also needed as there's no wires available. So I think I need it to face down from the top of the door with some sort of anti-theft holder and mount. I did a sketch, but I can't upload it here. ( I don't see an option).

Any ideas about camera's and mounts? anti-theft variety?

Thanks in advance I look forward to all your suggestions.

 

[USAFRet]

The most "cost effective" is a fake camera.
There are many, $10 or so.
Seeing that, they may go elsewhere.

A real camera (I have several) will not prevent a theft. It will only give you a video of it happening, after the fact.
Reolink is my go to solution.

Reolink Official: Security Cameras and Systems for Home & Business

Trusted by over 2 million users and featured in top-tier media, Reolink delivers reliable and budget-friendly security products for home and business worldwide.

reolink.com

Going in to actual cameras...battery and WiFi is a bad solution. How often do you want to replace the batteries?
Maybe a solar solution.
(and I am really not a fan of 'WiFi + security')

 

[truckinboots]

Hey Folks,

I'm trying to determine what the most cost-effective camera would be and what holders/mounts would be needed to accomplish the task. Its for an apartment door. Its primary function is to capture and record anyone who steals packages. There has been numerous thefts in the last 3 - 6 months, like over 10 packages have gone missing. I'm convinced someone is stealing. So the goal is to stop that. There was an incident of a different nature. So it has become readily apparent that the door needs to be monitored.

The thing for me is - subscription? no-subscription? There's so many cameras out there, some are real expensive, but they don't seem to hit the nail on the head, for what I'm looking for? So I thought maybe I'd ask the forum. I just don't have any experience with door cameras at all. This angle, that angle, but none seem to hit where the bottom of the door and the floor meet, which is where packages are normally delivered too. So that's kinda critical? Battery operated is also needed as there's no wires available. So I think I need it to face down from the top of the door with some sort of anti-theft holder and mount. I did a sketch, but I can't upload it here. ( I don't see an option).

Any ideas about camera's and mounts? anti-theft variety?

Thanks in advance I look forward to all your suggestions.

The most "cost effective" is a fake camera.
There are many, $10 or so.
Seeing that, they may go elsewhere.

A real camera (I have several) will not prevent a theft. It will only give you a video of it happening, after the fact.
Reolink is my go to solution.

Reolink Official: Security Cameras and Systems for Home & Business

Trusted by over 2 million users and featured in top-tier media, Reolink delivers reliable and budget-friendly security products for home and business worldwide.

reolink.com

Going in to actual cameras...battery and WiFi is a bad solution. How often do you want to replace the batteries?
Maybe a solar solution.
(and I am really not a fan of 'WiFi + security')

Hey, Thanks for reply, I was thinking one of those "door cameras" or "doorbell cameras". I can not alter the door at all, or screw into the frames, walls. Its an apartment building.

Something like this >>> Over-door-No-Screw-Camera-Mount (amazon)
And then something like Euki , Botslab, and then there's google nest doorbell camera ($190 - I think).

The thing is the mount and the camera -> point outward into the hall, where I want the camera to point DOWN towards the foot of the door.

Hope that helps - I can post a sketch - when I get home - if that's helpful.

 

[USAFRet]

Hey, Thanks for reply, I was thinking one of those "door cameras" or "doorbell cameras". I can not alter the door at all, or screw into the frames, walls. Its an apartment building.

Something like this >>> Over-door-No-Screw-Camera-Mount (amazon)
And then something like Euki , Botslab, and then there's google nest doorbell camera ($190 - I think).

The thing is the mount and the camera -> point outward into the hall, where I want the camera to point DOWN towards the foot of the door.

Hope that helps - I can post a sketch - when I get home - if that's helpful.

The typical thing now is a Ring or Google Nest camera.
They have a pretty wide field of view.

I'm not a fan of those, because it talks to the mothership too much.

My Reolinks are all internal, talk directly to a volume on my NAS. Nothing goes outside my house.


As said though...door cameras do not "prevent" theft, but only give you a video of it happening, after the fact.
Thieves will just wear a mask and hat.

 

[USAFRet]

Something like this >>> Over-door-No-Screw-Camera-Mount (amazon)
And then something like Euki , Botslab, and then there's google nest doorbell camera ($190 - I think).

That Blink would probably work. At least as an inexpensive trial.

 

[hotaru.hino]

I find the problem even if you get a solution that records who's doing it is if the local law enforcement can even do anything about it. Even if they could identify the person, at least in the US, porch pirates are treated on the same level as shoplifters. And unless the value of the item is high enough, it's treated as a misdemeanor that doesn't ramp up with repeat offenses.

So basically, you might be able to catch who it is, but you may not be able to do anything about it.

If your apartment office allows for it, you should have the packages dropped off there. Otherwise if you have enough room in front of your door, see about investing in a package locker or a PO box if it's not too inconvenient to go to one like twice a week.

 

[dingo07]

Your best bet is go with a battery Ring camera, and mount it on the frame with double-sided tape. Can someone steal it, yes, if they want to... but anything can be stolen if someone wants it bad enough.
The Ring is the most reliable, next to the DoorBird.