Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 22, 2013 21:05:16 GMT -5
I want to upgrade our exterior home surveillance cameras and will be attending a neighborhood meeting on the subject this weekend.
When I first installed them about 5 years ago, two neighbors told me I would be violating the law if my camera captured an image so much as 1 inch off my property and that they would sue me for invasion of privacy. A couple of years later they both asked to review my footage so they could see who broke into their car/stole something from their front porch. Go ahead, just imagine my answer.
Does anyone have cameras? Are there laws or restrictions in your area about their use? Is it a state, county or city thing? Our HOA highly recommends them because of criminal activity in the area. And they want to establish a registry so, if something happens in a section of the subdivision, they can reach out to folks with cameras to see if the perps are on camera. I'm good with that but don't want to end up as fodder for a lawsuit from a sleaze.
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Peace Of Mind
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Aug 22, 2013 22:12:40 GMT -5
We have them and the HOA recommends them. Because of some property damage our HOA had them installed at the community center/pool areas. I have no clue what the laws are but I don't think they are a problem here unless you have them pointed in somebody's windows.
We just upgraded ours recently too with the brand Q-See and they are way better than the Lorex we first had. Nobody minds that we have them and we have a cop next door. I think he'd tell us if it was a problem.
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tskeeter
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Post by tskeeter on Aug 23, 2013 18:25:01 GMT -5
Not an attorney, but I would expect that if an activity takes place in a public place, such that a person could see the activity if they were there in person, it is OK to capture a video image of the activity. The principle would be is there a reasonble expectation of privacy in the location where the video was captured? I think there is a reasonable expectation of privacy in your home or in your yard that is enclosed with a privacy fence, but not on a public street and probably not in your open to the world front yard.
However, to minimize the risk of lawsuits for invasion of privacy, many businesses post signs that video surveillance equipment is in use. Might be a precaution to consider.
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8 Bit WWBG
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Post by 8 Bit WWBG on Aug 23, 2013 20:18:30 GMT -5
My HOA has strongly advised AGAINST any kind of camera. I don't remember all the details, but it was kind of the opposite of what the OP experienced. That by having the camera out there, it was expected that it would provide protection, and somehow I might be liable if it didn't or some crap like that.
I also agree that I would absolutely hate to get dragged into something because it was believed that my camera held the evidence either way.
And I'm really starting to think that a little LESS monitoring in this country would be a good thing.
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swamp
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Post by swamp on Aug 23, 2013 20:28:08 GMT -5
Wow. I must live in nirvana. The only residences who have surveillance cameras are the drug dealers and the apocalypse guys.
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motherto2
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Post by motherto2 on Aug 23, 2013 22:11:38 GMT -5
I actually bought some to install inside and out the last time I had some vandalism at my house. Now, a disclaimer - our vandalism is kids running the subdivision roads at night, not typically breaking and entering or other serious crimes. But I live alone, so I got ticked. They are still in a box somewhere in my storage closet. I really wished today that I had the inside camera hooked up. I gave the pupster a really large bone from a BBQ place yesterday, and he was rather lethargic this morning. I even came home at lunch to check on him. He had thrown up and had the runs, but he was a little more chipper. I would have loved to be able to access a camera while at work to see what he was up to and to make sure he was still kicking.
But I would agree - I'd hate to be brought into court because of something that happened. If it's your property, that is one thing. Tough call though.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 24, 2013 20:39:55 GMT -5
Thanks for all the good perspectives and advice. For what it's worth, I know that some neighborhood cameras have confirmed that it's coyotes and not human sickos killing local pets. Heart wrenching for sure, but I can understand a native predator better than I can a human perv.
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Peace Of Mind
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Post by Peace Of Mind on Aug 24, 2013 23:44:39 GMT -5
Thanks for all the good perspectives and advice. For what it's worth, I know that some neighborhood cameras have confirmed that it's coyotes and not human sickos killing local pets. Heart wrenching for sure, but I can understand a native predator better than I can a human perv. That is so sad and I agree it's better than a mean and hateful person. But still horrible. That's why we fenced our backyard after some dogs mauled a poor little deer years ago. We sometimes sit out on our patio with our cats and we always have a stray or two that we try to help out and would hate for dogs to show up out of the blue and hurt them. We use our cameras to watch the deer eat our flowers. LOL! They used to eat our Roses and Hybiscus out back until we fenced. Now we have one that walks around the house to our front door to eat the plant by our door. DH was able to take stills from the video and we emailed them to friends. We get amused easily. We also can check on our stray kitty on our patio or when we hear loud noises (usually Racoons) without going outside to look. Security is just a bonus. Speaking of our stray. He's here and hungry!
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milee
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Post by milee on Aug 25, 2013 7:51:42 GMT -5
Wow. I must live in nirvana. The only residences who have surveillance cameras are the drug dealers and the apocalypse guys. Our neighborhood area is very low crime. Every 5 years or so there will be a small wave of petty thefts (which I think are teens or career criminals) where people are breaking into cars to steal change and valuables, but that's about it. Anyway, there are some reasonably expensive homes lined up in the 'hood, topping out at around $5.5 million. A new neighbor just built a home and it's OK, but by no means the nicest or most expensive home - maybe $2 million? - and he has all sorts of crazy security. From one of those specially trained German Shepherd dogs to a wrought iron security fence with entry gate to cameras all over. BTW, he's the only one in the entire neighborhood with a fence and entry gate and with visible cameras. We all make fun of him. The oddest thing is that if he really thought security was an issue, he could have bought or built a home in one of the many gated communities around here. Most of the people who live here do so in part because it's not gated and controlled by HOA Nazis. IMHO, he's just generally an ass. He's also the one that lights up his house at night like he needs it to be seen from space. Dude, the rest of the neighborhood and waterfront is dark for a reason - take a hint. I don't think the pirates are going to storm your dock... you can turn off the klieg lights.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 25, 2013 20:34:36 GMT -5
Well, we went to the 2 hour meeting this afternoon and it was good in the sense that we got authentic info about the qualities of various cameras, analog vs. digital, backup batteries, DVR's, software etc. without a sales pitch.
Not so good when I raised my hand and asked about legal issues. "We never thought about that" was definitely not the answer I wanted to hear. Frighteningly, we were shown a video that one person captured on his home video cameras of his neighbor leaving her home at 4 a.m. to meet up with a cab driver. No, no way, don't want to see that stuff.
They want us to register our cameras and let them be monitored by the civic association. Nope, ain't happening here. Friends and neighbors, if you want to know whaz up at your house, get your own cameras. Cheating spouses and addicted offspring aren't my problems.
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greeniis10
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Post by greeniis10 on Aug 26, 2013 13:06:59 GMT -5
Oh, yeah, no way would I personally pay for and install a camera system that the association would then benefit from and want to use! That doesn't sound right to me.
And, talk about privacy issues: why did they actually show the video of the neighbor (that was leaving her house at 4:00 AM)?! Does she know? Problem is, cameras would lead to more neighbor-watching and pettiness and less actual crime prevention in some cases...
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2013 13:24:56 GMT -5
Wow. I must live in nirvana. The only residences who have surveillance cameras are the drug dealers and the apocalypse guys. Nobody around here either. I never even locked my doors before recently and it took me a long time to find a key since they'd just been tossed in a drawer years ago. I do think I want one though. I have an attached 3 car garage which faces sideways (not the front of the house). This entire East side of the house has no windows...all garage...so I can't see out that way and that's where anyone that shows up would be hanging out. We're on a farm, so there can be dozens of neighbors with tractors and hay wagons and four wheelers out there having a big old party by our barn (happens, LOL) and I wouldn't know unless I walked through the garage and looked out the walk door. Drives me nuts.
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ktunes
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Post by ktunes on Aug 26, 2013 16:17:41 GMT -5
you pretty much can't go anywhere without being on a CCTV camera...look up and smile...or wear a hoodie
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2013 19:58:35 GMT -5
Talked to our attorney today and asked him to research and respond. I'm going to call our homeowner's insurance co. tomorrow and find out if cameras are a plus, a minus, or neutral in their view. I'll let ya'll know what I hear from both sources,
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