OK, not wanting to step into any poop here, but some good rules to live by:
Do not go where you are not wanted.
Do not speak deeply of things you are not deeply knowledgeable about.
While not exactly seeing the whole side of a car, a cam mounted high on a side window inside aimed somewhat downward will show enough to prove a 'keying' event alongside most of that car. Front and rear cams might aolso9 offer some coverage at the ends of the car. See the many members here who do this type of install on the "Side Cams:" thread which
@TonyM kindly gave a link to, and the viewing areas they attain. Also note that any cam mounted more inward will 'see' far less of the lower side since the car body will be blocking the view below the glass. Such a mounting would be adequate for driving protection though.
@kamkar1 clearly shows us how much better security cams could do this job where they are possible, which is not always. And as has been already said, that won't work here even as good as it can be. Still nice though.
Yes, outside-mounted cams could offer a better view against keying, but would need to be mounted on an end pointing the other way to get full side coverage. This is not practical for most of us and waterproof cam choices are extremely limited when you factor in reliability. And it would offer little for driving protection where you want to see farther out to the sides to capture crossing traffic at intersections, driveways, and parking lots. Such cams mounted at both ends on both sides might do both jobs well but now you're getting more complex and costly for very little practical gain.
Perhaps most important is the fact that external cams are far more susceptible to vandalism which is the major concern here. Kind of obvious they're not a good choice for this member, ain't it?
@cltjames came here seeking knowledge and advice, not a fight or a pissing contest where there's no winners. We should be trying to give him what he seeks, which he has clearly explained through this thread.
Offering alternatives is fine so long as they will meet his needs and wishes, but if they don't those are only distractions so need no mention.
Glad to have anyone join in here as long as they've read and understand what has been covered so far and can help us further those things which are not yet decided
. I do not know and have all the answers, only more than a little experience with side-cams and dashcams in general along with a deep interest in the subject that has shown me some of what other's have experienced
. I'm always open to learning more
Got to run off to work now and hoping to come home to something good here in this thread
Phil