The Sherpa rapid mobile video surveillance deployment system can climb a pole by itself, enabling it to be deployed in less than 10 minutes, and deliver a number of pan/tilt/zoom camera-head options. Robust and all-weather proof, the cameras can be controlled remotely from a single location, either by radio transmission, 3G, GSM, Wi-Fi or any other recognized transmission system. Once in place, the camera can remain active for up to 48 hours. Video recording can take place either remotely, locally at the camera head or in both places.