Home Builder Developer - Interior Renovation and Design

A section along Anderton Avenue could collapse as a result of flooding or an earthquake, the city says

Courtenay officials are monitoring a retaining wall on the Courtenay River, saying a section along Anderton Avenue is at risk of collapse in the event of flooding or an earthquake.

The area of greatest risk along the 260-metre wall on the west side of the river is a 50-metre section below an unoccupied hostel and the 10-unit Anderson Arms apartment building next to the 5th Street Bridge.

Building owners and residents have been notified and the city said it is installing warning signs, but there are no immediate evacuation orders, nor an immediate timeline for repairs or replacement.

Staff are working to determine best path forward for the impacted properties and expect to have more information for residents and property owners in the near future, the city said in a notice this week.

The city made repairs to the 50-metre section in 2016 and recently noticed more movement in the piles.

Failure may be a gradual slide toward the river, or a rapid collapse caused by a flood or seismic event, said the city.

The Anderton Avenue retaining wall protects the banks from river flows, but backfill behind the wall has been sinking toward the river. This is a concern because buildings can only withstand a certain amount of movement before they become unsafe to occupy, according to Courtenays engineering department.

The risk of failure is much lower behind the 210-metre concrete section of the Anderton Avenue wall and the sewage lift station and Riverside Park behind it, according to the city.

The foundation of the 5th Street Bridge is not at risk, but the city said debris could damage the bridge if a rapid collapse of the pile wall were to occur.

dkloster@timescolonist

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Courtenay concerned about retaining wall along river - Times Colonist

December 14, 2023

The City of Courtenay is notifying the public about the potential risk of failure to the Anderton Avenue Retaining Wall located along the west side of the Courtenay River, parallel to the 400-block of Anderton Avenue.

The City has been closely monitoring the Anderton Avenue Retaining Wall following a repair in 2016. The wall is made up of two sections a 50-metre sheet pile section and a 210-metre concrete section. Monitoring has detected movement of the sheet pile wall, which indicates a risk of partial or total failure.

Failure may be a gradual slide toward the river, or a rapid collapse caused by a flood or seismic event. The risk of failure is much lower behind the concrete section of the wall, along Riverside Park.

Private property owners and residents impacted by this risk have been notified directly, and the City will install warning signs in the affected area.

This notification is a proactive measure to make property owners and residents aware of the condition of the Anderton Avenue Retaining Wall. We recognize that this information may be concerning, especially among impacted residents. said Mayor Bob Wells The City is completing additional structural inspections, and is actively working to determine a path forward for the impacted properties. We are committed to ongoing communication about this sensitive matter.

The City of Courtenay will provide property owners and residents with further updates as additional information becomes available. To learn more about the risk to the Anderton Avenue Retaining Wall, visit http://www.courtenay.ca/andertonwall.

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Potential Risk of Failure of Anderton Avenue Retaining Wall - City of Courtenay

An easy-to-use home security camera that works seamlessly with SimpliSafe security systems

Nobody makes home security as easy and hassle-free as SimpliSafe does. In our SimpliSafe security system review, we talked about how it took us less than 30 minutes to install the system, and that system included the SimpliCam.

The SimpliCam is an indoor camera that just plugs into a wall outlet and connects to Wi-Fi. It doesnt offer much in terms of features, but its a reliable camera that just works. It can detect and alert you of movement, stream and record high-quality videos, and it offers two-way audio communication. In our experience, thats all an average person needs to keep an eye on their home while at work or running errands.

Although it works as a standalone security camera, the SimpliCam works best as a part of a SimpliSafe system. Together with SimpliSafe security sensors, the camera can monitor your home and give you visual access in cases of emergency. Moreover, SimpliSafe usually bundles the camera ($99 value) with its security system for free.

One minor drawback of the SimpliCam is that it doesnt record locally. Youll need a cloud subscription. Thats another reason to use the camera with the SimpliSafe security system. Cloud storage costs $4.99 per month for one camera or $9.99 per month for up to five cameras. It isnt the most affordable cloud plan out there, with options like Ring offering cloud storage for unlimited cameras for as little as $10 per month. With a SimpliSafe security system, however, you can buy a $29.99 per month professional monitoring subscription, which includes cloud storage for up to 10 cameras.

Additionally, with this SimpliSafe subscription, youll get video verification. In case of a break-in, SimpliSafe will use your cameras video ability to verify the incident and send the police faster to your home.

Its worth noting that SimpliSafe recently came out with a new indoor camera that is far more advanced than the SimpliCam. Its called the Smart Alarm, and it costs $139.99. This camera can be paired with the Fast Protect monitoring plan to gain access to 24/7 live agent monitoring.

The camera uses AI to detect person-triggered motion events, and when it does, it reports to the live monitoring center. The camera can stream to the monitoring center during emergencies and even create a two-way audio link between an agent and the cameras speaker to potentially ward off intruders.

Thats taking a more proactive stance in protecting your home, and the Smart Alarm might very well be a good upgrade to the SimpliCam. However, there may be some potential privacy implications, especially because its an indoor camera. We value privacy, so for now, SimpliCam is still our top choice.

High-end Wi-Fi and IP cameras with 4K color and night vision

Lorex is known for the quality of its security cameras. Many Lorex camera models are vandal-proof; for example, the ones we tested had heavy-duty metal casings and protected power cords.

Dont be intimidated by their solid construction, though. Lorex cameras are some of the easiest to use security cameras. Although youll need to spend quite some time setting them up it took us almost half a day to completely set up, install, and configure our six-camera Lorex system youll find that once theyre set up, theres not much else to do to keep them running. They are set-and-forget types devices.

One thing we really liked was that it stored footage in a local recording box called a DVR. The DVR has plenty of storage space, usually 1 TB or more, and its expandable with additional hard drives. Lorex can store footage for days on end without cutting. Ours kept recordings of the past two weeks.

Although Lorex cameras seem dated in design, some of them actually have really advanced features. Weve seen dozens and even tested a couple with up to 4K resolution. What really surprised us, though, were the Lorex cameras with artificial intelligence, something we only ever see in more modern brands like Google Nest and Arlo. Certain AI-powered Lorex cameras we tested were capable of distinguishing people from other moving objects, also known as person detection.

FYI: Is artificial intelligence a friend or foe? In the context of security cameras, AI is a friend that improves detection and provides tons of security value. However, thats not the case with all types of AI.

One bestselling home-use Lorex camera is the 1080p HD Outdoor Wireless Security Camera. Its an affordable but dependable camera, retailing for as low as $149. We think this camera really represents Lorex well.

The hardware is impressive. It has a 115-foot night vision range, meaning, it can see as far as 115 feet out in near-total darkness. It can record audio and video, it has a 1080p HD resolution, and the construction itself was solid and rugged. It wasnt perfect we would have liked to see a wider field of vision than its 118-degree lens and it doesnt work in temperatures below zero. However, its a perfectly reliable and budget-friendly option, which is true for most Lorex cameras.

Speaking of which, Lorex offers a wide variety of options. Thats one of the best things about this brand. In most cases, youre free to mix and match different camera models depending on your needs. If you need more indoor cameras, for example, Lorex offers packages with up to eight indoor cameras. That makes personalizing your security camera system a lot easier with Lorex.

Video doorbells and weatherproof cameras powered by batteries, mains electricity, or the Sun

Ring jumpstarted the video doorbell market in the early 2010s, and after being bought by Amazon, it continued to produce innovative security cameras. Today, it has a completely separate line of home security cameras, divided into these models:

Ring cameras leverage advanced technology, but they arent complicated to use. For example, the newest Ring Spotlight Cam models use radar to more accurately detect and report movement, but when we tested it, it worked just like regular motion detection weve seen countless times from other cameras. And thats the thing about Ring: It provides better-than-most features without complicating the user-experience.

Other Ring camera models include motion detection, two-way voice, and Amazon Alexa and Echo integration like the doorbell cameras. Smart integrations let us control our home alarm system with voice commands and send our security video to various in-home displays of our choice. Ring cloud video storage costs $3.99 per month for one camera or $10 per month for an unlimited number of cameras installed in one address.

Ring has an expansive product catalog, but lets take a look at one example: For most climates, the Ring Spotlight Cam is one of the best weatherproof cameras for scaring off prowlers as it can withstand temperatures five degrees below zero. This $200 camera comes equipped with bright spotlights that you can program to turn on when it detects motion. It also has a 110-decibel siren, plenty loud even for an outdoor camera.

An even more advanced version of the Spotlight Cam was released recently at the 2022 Amazon hardware event, which also features 3D Motion Detection. This additional feature uses radar technology to track the movement of prowlers within your property, and in addition to the cameras live feed, 3D Motion Detection enables a Birds Eye View of your lawn. That, in addition to the spotlight feature that comes with every Spotlight Cam makes the Spotlight Cam Pro a solid option to stand guard outside your home.

Not all Ring cameras are super-advanced, though. There are also ones that are more low-tech but very reliable and affordable. One example is the Ring Indoor Cam, Rings most affordable security camera to date. The Ring Indoor Cam is comparable to our top-pick, the SimpliCam. It plugs into an outlet, streams and records videos, and detects motion. And at just over $50, its an affordable option for those who prefer Rings catalog of Wi-Fi cameras.

Whats New: Another new creation by Ring is the $250 Car Cam, a dual-camera hardware designed to protect your car whether its running or parked in your garage. It detects motion, is LTE-ready, and has a built-in Alexa so you can start a recording with your voice while driving.

ADT offers a trifecta of security cameras: An indoor camera, an outdoor camera, and a doorbell camera. Together, these three cameras can watch over your home with their 1080p HD resolution, two-way talk feature, and smart capabilities that help them distinguish between important and unimportant events.

So far, those are pedestrian security camera traits. The very best aspect of ADT cameras, though, is that they come with the ADT home security system. These are not standalone cameras, so you can buy them only if you also buy a security system.

That makes sense, though. ADT is a leader in home security monitoring. Its cameras may not be top-of-the-line in features and tech, but paired with ADTs reliable monitoring service, high-quality home security equipment, and 145-year long history and experience, these cameras become much more useful than similarly-featured security cameras.

Of course, if you really want smarter cameras, ADT gives you options. As far back as 2021, ADT and Google Nest have maintained a solid partnership that saw Google Nests smart cameras added to the ADT roster. Google Nest Cams are some of the smartest security cameras around. We wont go into too much detail as youll soon meet them down this list, but one special feature of the Nest Cams is facial recognition.

For a home security system, ADT is teeming with security camera options. We like the ruggedness of the ADT-branded cameras, especially the outdoor camera (pictured above) with an IP 65 rating. Its water- and dust-proof, and its built to work in cold and warm climates.

That said, if youre looking for smarter security cameras, we recommend Google Nest Cams for your ADT system. Google Nest is another top-rated security camera brand, and if you buy Google Nest cameras from ADT, youll get professional installation, including integrating the cameras to your ADT system.

Whichever you choose, though, ADTs greatest selling point is that its not just a security camera system, but a complete home security system. Security cameras prove great for visual monitoring, but ADT sensors can help detect other dangers that security cameras may not be able to.

On top of that, ADT has a solid professional monitoring service, which includes video verification through ADT-connected cameras. Video verification occurs during emergencies. Rather than simply alerting the police that there might be a break-in in progress, ADT monitoring centers can briefly access security camera feeds to confirm the alert. That way, they can assist the dispatchers in identifying the intruder and also speed up police response.

Budget-priced indoor security cameras with free cloud storage for motion-triggered video

With prices that start at just $29.99, Wyze makes some of the most affordable indoor security cameras with mobile app integration. Cloud storage is free for motion-triggered events, which makes Wyze a very affordable home security solution overall. Wyze makes its cameras for DIY monitoring.

Special features include geofencing (motion detection zones), Alexa compatibility, and the ability to detect specific frequencies. For instance, the camera sends mobile alerts in response to a smoke alarm.

Despite being a budget security camera brand, Wyze has been making a lot of high-tech cameras. They now have indoor and outdoor cameras, cameras that can pan and tilt mechanically, and even cameras equipped with a spotlight or floodlight for scaring intruders. And the best part? They are all more affordable than what we normally see in the industry.

One example is the Wyze Cam Floodlight, which as the name implies, comes with built-in floodlights. Its nothing to sneeze at; the floodlights are 2,600 lumens bright but dimmable, it comes with a 105 dB siren, it has a 270-degree motion detection range, and it has all the smart features of the Wyze Cam v3 like person and pet detection. In terms of price, though, it costs half of most floodlight cameras. The Ring Floodlight Cam costs $200 and up, while the Wyze Cam Floodlight costs only $93.99.

Cutting-edge indoor and outdoor cameras with up to 4K resolution

The standard for high-definition security video is 1080p resolution. Arlo pushed the envelope with 4K ultra-high-definition on the weatherproof Ultra security camera, which costs $299. During our evaluations, the Arlo doorbell cameras, indoor cameras, and outdoor cameras automatically lowered their resolution if they detected low bandwidth.

Arlo loaded each camera with special features such as two-way voice, a siren with remote control, and compatibility with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant.

Multiple setup options made Arlo cameras famous, too; cameras plugged in or operated wire-free, and magnetic mounts made setup hassle-free. The video was saved locally on a USB or to the cloud, free for seven days. Arlo cameras work best when grouped together to create an integrated network of security cameras.

While the Arlo Ultra offers the most impressive video resolution in Arlos lineup, there are slightly more affordable options that still provide crystal clear video quality. One of our favorites is the Arlo Pro 4, which is an indoor and outdoor camera that runs wire-free on batteries. Its a slight improvement over the Arlo Pro 3 we reviewed.

The Arlo Pro 4 features a 2K HD resolution; slightly lower than the Ultra, but still above industry average. While it costs less than half the latest Arlo Ultra, it provides similar features such as an integrated spotlight and color night vision. Its also quite rugged for a security camera as sleek-looking; its resistant to rain and sun (it has UV protection, too), and it can operate in temperatures as low as minus four degrees Fahrenheit.

Heads up: The latest from Arlo is the Arlo Pro 5S, a 2K spotlight camera with an extra-wide 160-degree viewing angle, dual-band Wi-Fi, and extended battery life. This latest camera works exceptionally well with the Arlo Home Security System.

Smart doorbells & indoor/outdoor security cams with facial recognition and continuous recording

While our Ring paired naturally with Amazon Alexa, Nest was best with Google Assistant and other Google Home products. Nest cams work intuitively with Google Home speakers. For example, we could say, Hey Google, play the backyard camera on the kitchen Chromecast, and it would perform the task.

The Nest Cam options include the plugged-in indoor model, the battery-powered weatherproof model, and the floodlight-equipped model. There are also wired and wireless video doorbell options. All these cameras share the same core features, including motion detection, person detection, and activity zones. Each can also be added to a Nest Aware subscription, which enables cloud recording plus up to 10 days of continuous recording at the highest tier. But even without Nest Aware, we still enjoyed mobile notifications from the cameras and three hours of event history with snapshots. That being said, we chose to keep our Nest Aware subscription because of facial recognition.

The smartest feature of all Nest Cam models is facial recognition, or as Nest calls it, Familiar Face Alerts. Its one of those features you can only get with a Nest Aware subscription, but if you shell out the monthly fee, Familiar Face Alerts can improve your home security tremendously.

The Nest Cam starts by cataloging all the faces it sees, and then, it relies on you to put a name to those faces using the accompanying app. Nests AI is powered by Google, so you know that recognizing faces is no hard task for the camera.

Now, once it has a database of Familiar Faces (dont worry, your cameras Familiar Faces stays on your account and wont be used in facial recognition of other Nest users), youll be able to really configure your notifications. For instance, you can tell Nest to notify you if this particular person is seen, lets say your kid, so you know they got home safe from school. Its that kind of personalization that makes Nest an incredible partner in home security.

New Feature: You can now view live footage from the latest Nest Cams on Alexa-enabled smart displays and smart TVs. In addition, Alexa can now announce motion detection and doorbell ring alerts, as well as deliver two-way audio.

Video doorbells and indoor/outdoor cameras with easy installation and long-lasting batteries

Blink sells easy-to-use wireless cameras for indoor and outdoor use. These are low-priced at $35 and up, yet excellent quality. Special features on Blink cameras include one-way or two-way audio, a motion sensor, customizable motion zones, a temperature sensor, and the option to use Amazon Alexa for arming and disarming by voice.

The Blink Indoor and Blink Outdoor, which are both battery-powered cameras, feature a PIR motion sensor. Although it doesnt sound as impressive as person detection or facial recognition, the PIR sensor is the perfect sensor for these cameras.

PIR motion sensors read heat signatures and are only triggered when the moving object produces body heat. Thats another way of saying that its only triggered by living things. It reduces false alarms, not to mention, saves a ton of battery power compared to motion detection facilitated by the cameras computer vision itself.

Blink provides affordable cloud storage with pricing similar to that of Ring ($3 per month for one camera and $10 for all cameras). You can also access local recording without monthly fees with a Sync Module 2 hub and a USB flash drive.

FYI: Amazon, the company that owns Blink and Ring, announced that its shutting down support for its Amazon Cloud Cam cameras by December 2022. Cloud Cam owners, however, will receive a free Blink Mini Indoor as replacement, plus a one-year free subscription to Blinks cloud plan.

Smart doorbells and indoor/outdoor cameras with long-range and local storage

Swann sells high-quality indoor/outdoor cameras and video doorbells for do-it-yourself monitoring only. Swann cameras feature impressive color night vision, heat sensing, two-way talk, floodlights, competitive pricing, long-range even at night, and compatibility with Alexa and Google Assistant.

Local storage and cloud storage is available for Swann security cams. With free local memory, owners can save each clip for seven days. Camera ownership also includes two days of free cloud storage per clip.

The Floodlight Security Camera, costing $179, shows off lots of Swann technology. The 1080p camera has a 125-degree lens, color night vision, a heat sensor, two-way talk, a siren, and a motion-triggered floodlight with dimmer. It clearly records nighttime action up to 100 feet away, and with its max floodlight brightness of 2500 lumens, criminals will have trouble finding cover!

A budget camera that doesnt sacrifice quality with all of our necessary features for home security cameras.

Although we use Siri for everything on our iPhones, a security camera rarely works with Apples voice assistantthat is, until the eufy 2K indoor camera. It works with Siri, so we were able to view the live feed on our phones by asking our trusted voice assistant, in addition to Alexa and Google Assistant. Siri also provides end-to-end encryption for footage along with a whopping ten days of extra cloud storage through HomeKit Secure Video. As iPhone or iPad users, we loved using Siri with the eufy 2K camera.

The eufy 2K is a very affordable indoor camera, at only $40. Typically, we shell out over $100 for similar devices. We set it up in our living room, and because we had pet detection turned off, we didnt get notified every time our kitten played with its ball of yarn. Instead, we only got notifications about people. All our footage was recorded directly to our 128 GB micro-SD card in 2K resolution.

With the Eufy Security app, we easily checked in at home from anywhere with Internet access, arming and disarming our camera remotely (or creating an automated schedule). We could count on getting notifications when any people came near our home, which thankfully didnt include any intruders.

A wide range of affordable smart doorbells, indoor cameras, and outdoor cameras

Zmodo sells a wide selection of smart doorbell cameras, indoor-only cameras, and weatherproof surveillance cameras for DIY monitoring. We chose these cameras to serve as crime deterrents, but we had friends who used the Zmodo video cams for keeping an eye on their dependents. Some Zmodo cameras are hardwired, and others are wire-free.

A four-pack of Zmodo Mini Cams costs just $99.99. These indoor cameras have night vision, two-way audio, Alexa compatibility, and optional continuous recording in 720p HD. With free service, we were able to review alert clips from the previous 36 hours. Longer-term cloud storage required a $9.99 per month payment.

Another cheap but effective option is the $39.99 Zmodo 1080p Indoor/Outdoor Security Camera. Along with HD color vision in daylight, it creates crisp low-light recordings with up to 65-feet depth of field. The option to set motion detection zones helps limit false alerts.

Zmodo security equipment carries an impressive three-year warranty and a 60-day money-back guarantee.

A simple security camera perfect for families.

A lot of cameras have person detection, which differentiates between different types of movement from people, animals, cars, and inanimate objects. However, the ecobee SmartCamera takes things a step further. Not only does it detect people, but with a panning function, itll actually follow them around, keeping them in the center of the frame. This feature, Smart Focus, isnt something weve seen from any other security camera, so with its 180-degree field of view, youre sure not to miss anything that goes on at your home.

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The 12 Best Home Security Cameras of 2023 - Security.org

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Traveling for the holidays? Keep an eye on your home with the Blink Mini security camera, now just $20 - Gwinnettdailypost.com

ByWXYZ Detroit

Friday, December 8, 2023 3:04AM

DETROIT -- Gangs from South America are breaking into multi-million dollar homes across the country, including metro Detroit, WXYZ reported.

Police said they are highly functional and well-trained.

A police official described the crews, which are believed to consist of four to six people, as highly functional and well-trained.

The thieves reportedly use a jammer to overcome wireless security systems that depend on WiFi to operate. The crews are all dressed in black, with backpacks, and gloves. They are non-confrontational and their goal is to get in and out of the homes quickly, police said.

At least 30 to 40 homes have been hit since September in the Detroit area. Thieves have gotten away with cash, jewelry and expensive handbags within minutes of breaking in.

Police departments in Michigan have formed a task force and urged home owners to have multiple layers of security.

Originally posted here:
Gangs from South America use security jammers to break in to expensive homes across country: police - WLS-TV

To determine the best home security companies ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed 19 companies, with each companys star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:

Pricing is an important factor when choosing among the best home security companies, which is why it accounts for 20% of the total ranking. The editorial team evaluated monthly self monitoring and pro monitoring fees at both the lowest and highest price points as well as contract lengths, policies and limitations.

App reviews, similar to overall customer ratings, can indicate the health of a home security companys user experience for customers. Ratings from the App Store and Play Store were evaluated, and the higher the rating for a company, the more points that company received.

Customer ratings are a strong indicator of a companys performance, making it 20% of the total ranking. The team evaluated customer ratings from platforms like the BBB, Trustpilot and Consumer Affairs.

Customer support options accounted for 14% of the total ranking, and include each companys offering (or lack thereof) of live chat, phone service, community forum, knowledge base and a blog.

Extra smart home features are a commodity in a time of homes adapting to smart home integration, which is why this category received 10% of the total rankings weight. The editorial team evaluated each home security companys list of smart home integrations with platforms including Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Samsung, Apple Homekit and more.

A home security companys offering of equipment and package options is paramount when deciding how to approach your homes security needs, which is why it makes up 20% of the total ranking. The team analyzed each companys offerings of equipment including full professionally installed systems, wireless security options, cellular network cameras, night vision cameras, Wi-Fi security cameras, plug-in wired cameras, outdoor cameras, fire detection and smoke alarms, panic buttons, water leak detection, sirens and more.

A home security companys ease of setup and installation policies could be a major factor for homeowners. The editorial team evaluated the setip for each company as well to account for 5% of the total ranking.

Additional points were awarded based on the judgment of our review team. Points were awarded for inclusions such as additional service availability and outstanding achievements or awards.

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Best Home Security Companies Of 2023 Forbes Home - Forbes

When purchasing a wireless security camera, consider key factors such as price, video resolution, field of view, audio, storage and warranty. Considering these features will help you make an informed decision and find the best wireless security camera for your needs.

As mentioned, the price of wireless security cameras can vary depending on factors like the brand, features, video resolution and additional functionalities. Generally, you can find wireless security cameras ranging from around$200 to $2,000. However, high-end wireless security cameras with advanced features and higher video resolutions may cost significantly more.

When determining the price range youre willing to invest in a wireless security camera, its necessary to consider both your budget and the specific features you require. Additionally, discounts, promotions and the availability of different brands and models can also impact the price range.

When choosing a wireless security camera, its important to consider the various video resolutions available. The video resolution determines the level of detail and clarity in the captured footage, with higher resolutions offering sharper and more detailed images. When shopping for a wireless security camera, its important to consider the specific monitoring requirements, like the desired video quality and the associated cost, to ensure optimal surveillance capabilities.

When deciding the right wireless security camera, its essential to look at the field of view. This refers to the area or angles the camera can cover and capture within its range. Its typically measured in degrees and can vary among different camera models.

The wider the field of view will allow you to monitor larger areas with a single camera, reducing the need for multiple cameras in some cases. However, youll want to balance a wide field of view and maintain clear image quality and detail. Consider the specific areas you want to monitor and choose a wireless security camera with an appropriate field of view that meets your surveillance needs.

Wireless security cameras can come equipped with audio capabilities allowing monitoring and communication. There are two main types: one-way audio, which allows for listening to captured audio, and two-way audio, which enables both listening and speaking through the camera. Two-way audio can facilitate real-time communication and interaction, making it useful for remote monitoring, engaging with family members or visitors and potentially deterring intruders.

When considering wireless security cameras with audio features, its essential to assess the quality of the microphone and speaker, check for compatibility with mobile apps or monitoring systems and ensure the camera meets your specific audio requirements.

Wireless security cameras offer two primary storage options: local and cloud. Local storage involves saving recorded footage directly onto the camera itself, typically using an SD card or built-in storage. This option provides easy access to footage without internet connectivity or subscription fees, but its also important to consider the security systems storage capacity.

On the other hand, cloud storage securely stores footage on remote servers accessible through the internet. It offers convenient access from anywhere and mitigates the risk of footage loss, although it often requires subscription fees based on storage capacity and retention duration. When choosing a wireless security camera, evaluate your storage needs, consider each options pros and cons and ensure compatibility with the chosen storage method.

When youre shopping for a wireless security camera, its important to consider the warranty. It provides protection and assurance against potential defects or issues that may arise with the camera. The warranty terms and coverage can vary between manufacturers and models, so reviewing the warranty details before purchasing is crucial.

Key factors to consider are the duration of the warranty, what types of defects or malfunctions are covered and any limitations or exclusions that may apply. A longer warranty period can provide peace of mind and protect your investment, while comprehensive coverage ensures that you can seek assistance or replacements if any issues arise during the specified warranty period.

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Best Wireless Security Cameras Of December 2023 Forbes Home - Forbes

To determine the best outdoor security lights with cameras ranking, the Forbes Home editorial team analyzed third-party data on dozens of top products, with each products star rating determined by evaluating a variety of metrics, including:

Price can vary with security lights and cameras based on features and brand. We compared prices as part of our ratings to measure the range of price and affordability.

Customer experiences can inform the most about a moving company. We placed an emphasis on customer review information when rating each company and checked Google ratings, Trustpilot, BBB accreditation, score, years in business and ratio of complaints to reviews to inform our determination.

Field of view is an important feature in a security camera and the greater the field of view, the better, which includes left, right and center.

Brightness is a major feature in a security camera that shows the extent of illumination in the field of view. Cameras that had higher lumination offer sharp, crisp images.

Video resolutions are in 720p, 1080p, 2K and 4K, with the greater the number, the stronger the video resolution. This is important, particularly at night, so that images appear clearer.

Most companies offer warranties on their products that can range in duration and is an important aspect when purchasing a security camera.

Color options can be an important factor for consumers seeking cameras that blend into their home and environment.

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Best Outdoor Security Lights With Cameras Of 2023 - Forbes

Cougar tracks were spotted in the snow in a Minneapolis neighborhood Tuesday morning, one day after the big cat was captured on home security video footage.

The cougar sauntered across the driveway of a Lowry Hill home about 3:30 a.m. Monday, surprising the homeowner, who was at his Wisconsin cabin when he saw the alert on his smart phone.

"I thought it was one of those morning dreams where you doze off and it seems really realistic," said Rick, who asked that his last name not be used to avoid further commotion in the neighborhood.

Late Tuesday afternoon, officials with Minneapolis Animal Care and Control and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said they had confirmed that a cougar was living around the 1700 block of Logan Avenue S., in the Lowry Hill neighborhood not far from Lake of the Isles and Cedar Lake. They warned the public in that area to be cautious.

"Parents of small children should pay increased attention when outside," said Caroline Hairfield, the city's animal control director, in a statement. "Pet owners with small dogs or cats should supervise their animals when they are outdoors."

The agencies were working together on tracking the cougar, and reminded the public that it's against the law to hunt a non-game animal. The DNR and other licensed peace officers may remove the cougar if it poses a threat to public safety.

Rick, the Lowry Hill homeowner who captured the cougar on his home video, said he has seen a few cougars also known as mountain lions before. But having one pass his house in the city was surreal, he said, and didn't properly sink in until after his morning coffee.

Rick said he called police and sent the footage to the DNR. He worried about whether the cat would be able to find its way out of the city, and for the safety of his neighbors and pets.

He and his wife woke up Tuesday to find a bloody trail in their driveway, stretching from the garage to the street, that he suspected was left by a mutilated raccoon.

Rick sent the video to neighbor Dan Bruggeman, who said he was shocked to see the apex predator on his block.

"There's a sense of excitement, to have something like that in your neighborhood, but also a sense of concern," he said.

Even more surprising was seeing cougar tracks in the street Tuesday morning after Monday night's snowfall, he added.

Robyn Bruggeman posted the video Monday on the neighborhood website Nextdoor, eliciting more than 50 comments from people expressing shock, awe and concern for the animal. She wrote that authorities had been notified about the sighting.

The video shows the cougar leaping over a 4-foot fence. Rick said it would've also had to jump the house's 6-foot fence, not shown on the video, to make it by the garages.

This marks only the second time a cougar has been spotted in Hennepin County since 2004, though a cougar was found dead in Bloomington in 2020 after it apparently was hit by a vehicle on a freeway.

A cougar was spotted on video in Duluth this summer, and another was seen a few weeks ago in Carver County. A Wisconsin bowhunter fearing for his safety shot and killed a cougar last month east of Alma, Wis., just downriver from Wabasha, Minn.

There have been over 80 verified cougar occurrences in Minnesota since the DNR began tracking them around 2007. Seeing one of the big cats in a densely populated urban area like Minneapolis is "extremely rare," said Dan Stark of the DNR.

This year has seen an estimated 16 to 20 occurrences in Minnesota, the most ever. Verified sightings have increased in recent years, though it's not clear whether that's due to more cougars passing through or more home security cameras, Stark said.

Occurrences have been scattered across the state, from Duluth to Bemidji, from the Rochester area to Aitkin County, he said.

If you run into a cougar, don't approach or corner it. The best thing to do is to appear bigger by holding your hands above your head, waving a hat or jacket and throwing rocks or sticks at the animal, Stark said. Make a lot of noise, and pick up small children and pets. Whatever you do, don't run; if the cougar attacks, it's recommended to fight back.

Encounters and sightings should be reported as soon as possible to a conservation officer or local law enforcement so that evidence such as tracks, hair and scat can be documented. Hairfield said residents should report sightings to 311 or the DNR at 651-296-6157.

Excerpt from:
Cougar living in Lowry Hill neighborhood of Minneapolis, city, DNR warn - Star Tribune

Prince Harry's lawyer says the British government did not do a key risk assessment before stripping him of his police protection and had not "considered the 'impact' that a successful attack" would have.

The Duke of Sussex is suing the Home Office over its decision to remove the armed Metropolitan Police officers who provided him with round-the-clock protection while he was a working royal.

RAVEC, a committee that also included police and senior palace aides who Harry had fallen out with, made the decision in February 2020 after he announced his decision to quit a month earlier and before his final royal engagements that March.

A court filing, seen by Newsweek, read: "RAVEC should have considered the 'impact' that a successful attack on [Harry] would have, bearing in mind his status, background and profile within the royal familywhich he was born into and which he will have for the rest of his lifeand his ongoing charity work and service to the public."

"RAVEC should have considered, in particular, the impact on the UK's reputation of a successful attack on [Harry]."

Shaheed Fatima, Harry's attorney, told the court RAVEC's own policies suggested an assessment by the Risk Management Board (RMB) should have been taken before he was stripped of his protection.

"In this case RAVEC chose not to follow its own written policy," she told the High Court in London. "RAVEC chose not to do an RMB risk analysis. RAVEC therefore chose to apply a far inferior procedure to [Harry] that lacked the critical safeguards that have been built into the written policy."

The prince's team believe it is the first time the Home Office has done this and Fatima added: "No good reason has been provided for singling [Harry] out in this way."

"The critical point is that when that decision was taken he was still a full-time working member of the royal family," she continued. "He was plainly still in the RAVEC cohort and the written policies should have been applied to him."

She said "the court does not need to make a decision about" whether Harry should get "protective security," but rather whether the decision was unlawful. It is possible that even if Harry wins, the government will simply take the same decision again using a different process.

Home Office's lawyers argued Harry's police team was not definitively removed and that taxpayer funded security has since been provided to him at certain points on visits to Britain.

However, the round-the-clock protective arrangement was ended when he moved abroad in favor of ad hoc assessments when he returns to the U.K.

A court filing, seen by Newsweek, reads: "In considering whether to provide Protective Security to any such individual, RAVEC considers the risk of a successful attack on that individual.

"In summary, RAVEC considers the threat that an individual faces, which is assessed by reference to the capability and intent of hostile actors, the vulnerability of that individual to such an attack, and the impact that such an attack would have on the interests of the State.

"The Decision was not that [Harry] would under no circumstances be provided with Protective Security. Rather: (1) As a result of the fact that he would no longer be a working member of the Royal Family, and would be living abroad for the majority of the time, his position had materially changed.

"In those circumstances, Protective Security would not be provided on the same basis as before. (2) However, he would, in particular and specific circumstances, be provided Protective Security when in Great Britain."

Police protection officers have so far been offered to Harry in relation to specific royal events to which he has been formally invited, such as Prince Philip's funeral.

However, even on those visits the Home Office has not always given him protection officers outside of those specific events.

Harry's legal representative said in January 2022 that the duke does not believe it is safe in Britain for him, Meghan Markle and their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, unless his police protection team is restored.

The Home Office court filing suggested the risk analysis Harry's team asked for would not have been useful: "An RMB assessment would be of limited utility, however: it could not accurately re-assess impact, or judge [Harry's] vulnerability to an attack when it was unknown for how long [Harry] would be present in GB and what he would be doing while he was here."

Jack Royston is chief royal correspondent for Newsweek, based in London. You can find him on X, formerly Twitter, at @jack_royston and read his stories on Newsweek's The Royals Facebook page.

Do you have a question about King Charles III, William and Kate, Meghan and Harry, or their family that you would like our experienced royal correspondents to answer? Email royals@newsweek.com. We'd love to hear from you.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.

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Prince Harry Says His Security Removal Had One Glaring Error - Newsweek