Abstract: A self-contained surveillance unit includes a climb-resistant tower and a heavy, but portable, base supporting the tower. The tower has various components affixed thereto. All components sufficient for operation of the surveillance unit, including observation, wireless-communication and self-powering components, are located on the tower well above the ground at a height sufficient to render them difficult to access from the ground. At least one such self-contained surveillance unit may form part of a surveillance communications network in which the network also has one or more central transmitting and receiving sites having monitoring facilities.