A home monitoring system comprises a control apparatus adapted to provide enhanced privacy, resource management and alert management. The control apparatus includes a camera for capturing video at the home. A memory stores captured video. A communication interface is operatively connected to the control apparatus for streaming video and receiving control commands. A central system is remotely located relative to the control apparatus and in operative communication with the communication interface for receiving and storing captured video from the control apparatus. A remote unit is remotely located relative to the control apparatus and in operative communication with the communication interface for generating control commands to the control apparatus to terminate transmission of video to the central system.