FAQ
Click on a question to see the corresponding answer.
Q: Do cameras deter crime?
Generally, criminals are no longer deterred by security cameras and bright lights. They assume, based on their experience, that residential security cameras are not monitored for activity at night so no one will respond to disrupt their criminal activity.
The AwareNet approach involves many cameras (i.e. at least one per block) with real-time monitoring and real-time response to disrupt criminal activity while it is occurring. Although success is not guaranteed and nothing deters all crime, we have proven the AwareNet approach can be successful.
Q: Is AwareNet a business?
Yes. AwareNet is available for any neighborhood in the United States. But the founder, Tom Scheifler, is committed to provide AwareNet at no profit to all 79 neighborhoods in the city of St. Louis (his hometown).
Q: Who pays for the service?
A neighborhood organization pays for the service by signing up as an AwareNet customer.
After a neighborhood becomes a customer, a neighborhood resident becomes an AwareNet "member" (not a customer) when they enroll a camera with AwareNet. There is no cost to the resident to enroll a camera.
Please contact us if you know of a business or organization that would like to sponsor the AwareNet service for your neighborhood!
Q: Who pays for the cameras?
Typically, residents of each block purchase their own cameras. However, we are always looking for ways to reduce or eliminate the cost of the camera for residents.
Please contact us if you know of a business or organization that would like to sponsor cameras for your neighborhood!
Q: Are there terms of use available?
Yes. The terms are available here.
Q: Which cameras are supported by AwareNet?
See the Supported Cameras information page. Please request support for other brands/models of cameras that meet the minimum requirements. We will work to support as many different cameras as possible.
Q: I already have home security cameras. Do I have to replace them to enroll a camera with AwareNet?
No. You can keep your existing home security cameras and simply buy a camera that is compatible with AwareNet (see previous question).
Q: Who owns and operates the cameras?
Each resident or business owns and operates their camera(s). Residents can also work as a group to purchase and install cameras for their block.
Q: Is there a monthly "subscription" fee?
There is no cost to the camera owner to operate the camera (other than the nominal cost of the electric and internet usage). Many camera manufacturer's offer "premium" services for a monthly subscription fee that may be of interest to residents, but not required for use with AwareNet. The premium services offered by Reolink are not required for the Reolink cameras to work with AwareNet.
The neighborhood association, HOA, etc. is the AwareNet customer and pays the monthly cost for the AwareNet service.
Q: Does AwareNet configure and install cameras?
We can recommend a professional to do your installation and instructions for configuration are available.
Hopefully, each block has a "block buddy" who has some experience with DIY home security cameras and can be the person to install a camera or help someone else on the block. But please, do contact us if you have issues with configuration or installation and we'll try to help (help@awarenet.us)
Q: Do I need a computer to setup or operate the camera?
No. You do not need a traditional laptop or desktop computer. But you do need an Android or Apple smartphone or tablet (and of course, you need home internet service too).
Q: How do I get started? Is there a cost?
A: Follow the steps outlined on the Getting Started page. You need to supply your own camera but the AwareNet service is paid for by your neighborhood organization.
Q: What is a data card? What size should I buy?
A: The data card stores the video clips so that you do not need to pay a monthly subscription to store video clips "in the cloud". You need one data card per camera. They are not very expensive so get a 256GB, class 10 data card like the SanDisk Extreme PRO.
Q: Can I enroll more than one camera with AwareNet, say, one for the street and one for the alley?
A: Yes! Please do.
Q: Should I enroll my indoor security cameras with AwareNet?
No! Please enroll only OUTDOOR cameras with AwareNet.
Q: There is already someone on my block with a camera enrolled with AwareNet. Would it help to have another?
Yes! The technology is good but not flawless. A second camera, especially one located on the opposite side of the street, can be very beneficial (if the first camera misses something, the second one may catch it).
Q: How do I configure my camera to automatically send alert event information to AwareNet?
See the Reolink Email Setup page for step-by-step instructions.
Q: How much of my internet data is this going to use?
We have designed the AwareNet system to use very little of your internet data but it depends on your specific camera and the configuration of the camera. The Reolink cameras will store the video clips locally on the card in the camera. And you control which video clips are sent to AwareNet by email. If you follow our camera configuration guide, clips sent to AwareNet will be about 1MB in size and it will send videos only when it has detected a person between the hours of 10pm and 6am. Most nights, that will happen only once or twice.
Note: Some cameras offer additional features which will increase use of your internet data.
Q: What information is AwareNet collecting about each alert event?
AwareNet is collecting the information sent to it via email from the cameras owned and operated by neighborhood residents. For each alert event, it typically includes the name of the camera, the date/time of the event, the type of event (i.e. person or vehicle), and the event video recording.
Q: What does AwareNet do with the information collected?
The information for each event (see previous question) is stored in the AwareNet system for later reference and reporting. The information may be shared with the public, law enforcement, city officials and neighborhood organizations as appropriate to support neighborhood safety and security. Camera owners still have complete control of the video copy stored on their camera.
In addition, AwareNet has the ability to send real-time notifications to appropriate persons (e.g. safety committee volunteers or a professional security guard) to review the event information and take action as appropriate.
Q: How long does AwareNet keep the information collected?
Typically, video clips are deleted after 15 days unless the event is categorized as unusual, suspicious, or criminal. Other than the video, data about an event is kept indefinitely for analysis and reporting.
Q: Who decides where the cameras are located?
Each camera owner decides where to place their camera. Here are some location tips to consider.
Q: Should I contact AwareNet if I move my camera or change where it is pointed?
Yes. Please tell us if the camera has been:
Relocated from the street to the alley or vise-verse.
Pointed in a different direction (N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW).
Relocated to a different street address.
Q: Should I contact AwareNet if I change the setup / configuration of my camera?
Yes. Please tell us if you change any of the following:
Camera Name
Email address you use to automatically send alerts to AwareNet.
Q: Who has access to the live video for each camera?
Access to live video for each camera is controlled by the owner (typically using the smartphone app for their camera).
Live video is not made available to AwareNet and is not available using AwareNet.
Q: Will I be notified if my camera recorded criminal activity?
Currently, camera owners are not automatically notified of criminal activity recorded by their camera.
Q: Can I get real-time alerts from other AwareNet cameras in my neighborhood?
No. The AwareNet system is not designed or intended to send residents real-time alerts. It is designed to send real-time alerts to a designated set of contacts (e.g. safety committee volunteers or a professional security guard) responsible for reviewing the alert and taking the appropriate action.
Q: What about privacy?!?
Like any home security camera, it is the responsibility of the camera owner to ensure the camera is not recording something private. We ask that you point your cameras at public settings such as the street in front of your house or the alley behind your house.
Many cameras have a "privacy masking" feature that allows you to "black out" areas in the field of view that should not be seen or recorded. This feature can be used to help ensure your privacy and the privacy of your neighbors. Please, please discuss your camera location with your neighbors and show them a sample of what will and will not be visible to the camera. It is best to be open and collaborative with your neighbors.
The camera owner controls the audio recording. Cameras that are capable of recording audio with the video will have a configuration setting that determines whether the audio is recorded. Audio can be very helpful to the people monitoring the alerts sent to AwareNet but audio is not required.
Q: Can these cameras "read" a license plate?
No. The cameras do not have automatic license plate capture capability.
If a vehicle stops in the field of view, it may be possible to determine the license plate by reviewing the video clip.
Q: Do these cameras have "facial recognition" technology?
No. Not at this time. But the facial recognition technology is starting to appear in residential cameras such as these. The AwareNet system is not designed to use facial recognition technology even if cameras enrolled with AwareNet start using it (and it is the camera owner who would decided whether it is used on their camera).
Q: How does the alert process actually work?
Q: Can I stop participating with AwareNet?
Yes. Participation is completely voluntary. At any time, the camera owner can turn off the notifications sent to AwareNet or simply turn off the camera.
Q: What does a designated reviewer see when they get an alert?
See a sample with explanation.
Q: Where is this available?
AwareNet is available for use anywhere in the United States.
Q: On a Reolink Duo (version 1) camera, how do I watch / download the high resolution version of a recorded video clip?
As indicated by the name, there are two separate cameras in the Reolink Duo. Currently, the app does not allow you to watch the high resolution version of live or recorded video when you are in "dual camera" mode. You must first switch to "single camera" mode. See details here.
Q: I still have more questions that don't seem to be answered here. How can I contact AwareNet?
First, try the search feature just in case the information is here but elusive (click the magnifier icon in the header of this page).
If that doesn't work out, send us an email at help@awarenet.us. Be sure to tell us who you are, where you live, what information you would like and how you would like to be contacted (email or phone).