Edgewater is a townhouse community located in the Grand Oaks neighborhood of Land O’Lakes, FL. Established in the early 2000’s, the homeowner’s associate was still relying on an outdated surveillance system at the community pool. In 2026, Surveillance Technology, Inc. (STI) addressed two key concerns when designing an enhanced replacement solution.
Previously, the camera controls and footage were only accessed locally from a room on site in the pool area. They wanted to know how to store security camera footage on the cloud. But what they really needed was guidance on how to properly maintain their footage in a way that was easily accessible. Following STI’s installation, the HOA board can now access footage via the internet, receiving real time notifications of any unwanted visitors at the pool after hours.
The second concern addressed was the length of footage retention, which is a key concern for all multifamily residential properties across the state. Florida House Bill 837, signed into law in March, 2023, dramatically revised civil litigation rules for personal injury cases in the state. It grants property operators a presumption against liability in connection with criminal acts and negligence claims, when they implement certain security measures. The first such measure noted in HB 837 is a security camera system at points of entry and exit, which maintains video footage as retrievable for at least 30 days.
An upgrade to an 8 channel H.265 4K NVR and 12 TB hard drive brought the community into compliance by providing 30 days of storage. STI used four Ultra ColorMax turret-style 4K cameras with two-way audio and deterrent features, such as flashing lights when foot traffic is detected after hours. These were installed in the pool and covered lanai areas. Three additional turrets were used on the exterior of the property to capture the pool, the pump equipment, and the sides of the pavilion. Finally, a ColorMax turret with a varifocal lens was positioned to provide a tight view of the entrance gate.
Surveillance Tech can help residential properties satisfy additional parameters for the legal presumption that property owners were not negligent. These include illuminating parking lots and common areas from dusk until dawn with dual light security cameras, or restricting fence areas with key or fob access.
Multifamily residential properties also require an assessment of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). This approach to prevention uses the layout, lighting, landscaping, and upkeep of physical spaces to discourage criminal behavior before it happens. The owner or principal operator must remain in substantial compliance with the assessment. Investing in better lighting and controlled access points improves safety and reduces the likelihood that a court will find you failed to take reasonable precautions. With a variety of light-emitting security cameras and community access control solutions, Surveillance Technology should be a key partner in your future planning.
