While I don't know the specs, brand, or quality of the equipment, and whether it includes any type of installation, it sounds like an entry level system.

It will provide you with a sense of security by allowing you look at the area, and see all is well, but it's highly unlikely it's going to produce any sort of usable image/photo to identify anyone.

The crime shows on television are make-believe when they enhance and blowup the picture and you can then see every detail. Equipment used in casinos - well that's a different story - especially when there is somebody watching and controlling the cameras 24/7.

The DVRs now typically have a built-in Web-server so that you can view them remotely from a PC, I-device, or Droid.

Quality can very greatly in the basic systems but some do now produce some very good night-time images. Although the software setup can be very challenging on some.

To answer your first question, Google "internet security camera" and you'll see several stand-alone cameras, with Web-servers, that can also be viewed remotely, and like the other systems have an alarm zone area for detection, and will send you an email. Although they need to be rated for outdoor use and I still haven't seen any yet that produce any type of usable picture at night.

Maybe if the criminals stealing your plants aren't too bright, you could plant some poison oak, too!

I think I am going to wait until the prices go down and the technology improves. I just don't have as nice plants as before in front. I have dogs, but they did not bark, so I did not catch them.

It's not really so much of prices going down, and technology improving - everything is already available within the consumer, industrial, and professional markets that meet the needs and requirements of those markets.

While there are always incremental improvements, and some occasional deals on websites such as Costco for bundled systems, it's been pretty stable overall for the past 5 years.

From what you describe, however, I think your best first approach is motion detecting floodlights, with very bright lights aimed directly into the area. Keep the sensor down so traffic doesn't set them off, and it should really help.

Being from the Bay Area myself, it's really sad the City has gotten like this - it really never was...

"I think I am going to wait until the prices go down and the technology improves. "

There is good stuff out there, it is just very far from inexpensive.

Among the most popular types of home and business security systems on the market today are WDR camera systems.

If I change from astound to Comcast, I could get one, but right now, it's too expensive to have one at this time. I assume it will become more affordable in the future.