Security cameras are a great crime deterrent for any neighborhood. That's why Vivint's Streety app plans to get everyone involved to make it even safer.
The smartphone app is expected to become available this March and offers a way for neighbors to help each other out. It appears to be modeled around the concept of a neighborhood watch, where a group of adults from a community that promotes safety via series of late-night patrols around their area to hopefully discourage would-be criminal behaviors.
Digital Innovation
As wireless connectivity improved along with faster broadband services, homeowners now depend on remote IP cameras that can be installed within the household or externally around the perimeter. This allows users to monitor activities within the immediate area of their property.
Nonetheless, there are certain instances wherein the external cameras of a particular house are positioned to cover a wide range of angles, which often includes a view of their closest neighbor's residence.
Smart home integration also enhances some of the features of connected devices within the home
Open Source Sharing
What Streety offers is the ability to request and share videos wirelessly even from third-party cameras. However, Vivint-branded models can share live footage to approved users anytime. An example given by the manufacturer illustrates a situation where a pet from across the street wanders into the owner's yard.
With pre-approved access, they can view live footage via Streety and view their neighbor's yard to check if it is there.
"Our goal with Streety is to make it that easy [to share camera footage]," said Clint Gordon-Carroll, Vivint Smart Home's vice president. "We're really focused on making stronger neighborhoods, and we can do that by sharing."
How It Works
According to a company representative, the Streety app can connect users with their neighbors inside a 300-yard radius from their home, which is estimated to be about two blocks. Their identities start off hidden through an avatar and remain that way until both parties agree to connect via the platform.
Users can tweak and customize permissions for their neighbors. Access can be set for all the time or scheduled for specific periods only. The live footage only works with compatible Vivint security cameras. For other brands, users can just send a request for a clip of a specific period.
Privacy And Results
Vivint claims that privacy is taken very seriously. Therefore, users are required to verify their home address and continue to stay anonymous until both parties agree to share information. Camera owners are given full control to only share what they want. The 300-yard distance limit is also in place to ensure that users are connected with people within their area.
The smartphone app was successfully tested in several neighborhoods in Salt Lake City, Tampa, Florida, and Las Vegas. Vivint claims that authorities were able to identify a car burglar in Las Vegas, thanks to footage shared through the Streety app.
