Consumers, businesses turn to Internet surveillance

But he wasn't there in person. He saw it all over the Internet.

Video surveillance is everywhere. Cell phones have cameras. Gas stations catch every move. Pet owners can watch their dogs over the Internet at doggy day care.

Analog video is on the way out, and digital technology is taking over the market.

And now the Internet has provided people with another viewing technology -- digitally monitoring your home, business or construction site for burglars.

Sounds thrilling.

But in Naples, knowing what's going on is a big deal.

With more than 100,000 seasonal residents, booming construction and numerous retail stores, burglary is something to worry about.

In 2001, 2,285 burglaries were reported in Collier County, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. Burglary was the second most common crime after larceny. In 2002, there were 2,301 burglaries reported. For the first six months of 2003, 927 burglaries were reported, said Sheri Mausen, spokeswoman for the Sheriff's Office.

From May through October, many homes go unguarded, and when the seasonal visitors return, the burglary calls increase, Mausen said.

"It's really tough for us to pin down a suspect because we don't have a precise time of when the burglary occurred," she said.

But with digital video surveillance, months of data can be stored on a computer. Remote access allows people to be their own house sitter.

"The remote factor is the cherry on top," said Len Osborne, chief executive officer of Naples Technology Inc., and Dan's brother.

NTI is a computer company not a security store. But two years ago, Len Osborne decided to bring surveillance and computers together. He developed his own digital video system and has been installing it for the last year. He's worked on 30 homes and businesses.

Business owners can monitor employees, and developers can view the progress of a construction site.

An eight-camera video system lets Dan Osborne enjoy vacations at his North Carolina home.

"It's enabled me to feel so much better about leaving," Osborne said. "Even though I'm away, I'm here."

A variety of cameras allow people to choose a system that best fits their price range. Len Osborne's systems run between $1,500 and $2,000.

At Simmons Security & Sound, remote digital video systems can cost $1,000 and can go up to $75,000.

"We assess what the issues are and why they need our system," said President Mark Simmons, "and then we design a system according to their needs."

At Diamond Security & Sound Systems Inc., systems range from $3,000 to $10,000.

"It gives you piece of mind especially for business owners," said Diamond President Ron Olsson. "They can keep an eye on what's going on when they're not on site."

Some companies offer video surveillance over closed circuit TV.

"As that type of technology becomes more and more affordable we'll probably see more and more of it," said Cpl. Lee Van Gelder, of the Collier County Sheriff's Office crime prevention unit.

But for people who can't afford the price tag of a video system, other options exist.

The Sheriff's Office offers free surveys of homes and businesses, and they run a night watch program for construction sites.

Van Gelder suggests home and business owners be proactive. Have people check on a house, he said. Keep the property lighted, and make it look lived in.

But for Len Osborne, digital video is the most secure way to go.

"In Naples, we have so many high-end homes," Osborne said. "They have security systems, but no video. If (burglars) break in they have five minutes to do whatever they want."

Digital video continues to grow and will likely push analog out of the picture, Osborne said. He's happy with his business so far, and thinks the demand will continue to increase.

No matter the price, video security is becoming the norm.

And the person behind you in the grocery store can record everything you buy -- with his cell phone.