Abstract: A surveillance system utilizing a mesh network having a large number of surveillance cameras. A plurality of limited range transceivers in direct or indirect communication with one or more of the cameras are located at a large number of nodes and are in communication with other transceivers in the network and are in communication with a control station. In a preferred embodiment most of the nodes are equipped with three transceivers to provide simultaneous communication with one or more camera and at the same time receive and transmit information from other nodes. This system utilizes a routing protocol that was initially developed for wireless voice-over Internet protocol services to large regions. This preferred system incorporates transceiver chips that enable communications over multiple frequencies and communications protocols.