Security cameras a privacy violation

[TonyR]

Glad I found this site- I've been reading through old posts and learning a lot. I'd appreciate any feedback on the following:

I recently installed security cameras near the front entrances of a multi-unit rental property. We've had increased car break-ins lately and two of the cameras are aimed at the sidewalk and street. This is a fairly busy area and many people walk past this building.

Someone who lives down the block sent me a letter stating that cameras are not allowed to continually record public space. Is this true?

[Teen2233]

I think it is legal, however it would depend on where you live.

There may be a state law against it, so I would check with a local real estate association and or a local lawyer.

[Debbie]

In my city, it is legal, as long as there's a sign indicating security camera(s).

However, if there's a slight chance that it is illegal in your city, I would contact the City Trustee, County building or the like and ask if it is permittable. And/or requiring some type of paperwork or not. Just to be on the safe side.....

Debbie

[Debbie]

Someone who lives down the block sent me a letter stating that cameras are not allowed to continually record public space. Is this true?

By the way, if you have a friend who is a police officer, you might want to provide a potential tip to him/her. Anyone who sends me a letter complaining about security camera, even down the block, makes me think they're doing something illegal.....Just a thought.

Debbie

[TonyR]

Thank you for the replies and suggestions. I have several calls into various city agencies and I hope to hear back from them soon. I'll also contact our housing association for input.

[SPIVALAW]

Generally a public place there is no expectation of privacy.
Just keep cameras out of private places.

[Aldo]

Glad I found this site
We're also glad you found this site. Welcome aboard.

Howard is clearly right on this issue. If anyone is in a public place, there is no legal expectation of privacy. If I'm walking down a city street, anyone on the planet has a right to see me doing that without any kind of sign or other notification. If others can see me, there is nothing to prevent them from photograghing me in still or video format.

This does not apply in a public restroom, for example, where there is an expectation of privacy.

[SPIVALAW]

Actually places like the "community" sink have no expectation of privacy either.

[LEE - LJ]

Howard --

:SM090: :SM090:

If you weren’t a Lawyer, you could definitely make it as a comedian.

[SPIVALAW]

Actually places like the "community" sink have no expectation of privacy either.

Funny?
Its true.

[Aldo]

Community sink? Either that's a 'down south' thing or someone needs to open the closet door for me. If you don't define 'community sink', I won't define 'bubbler'. So there!

[SPIVALAW]

example : airport rest room, no expectation of privacy in common areas of bathroom sinks, only in stall.

[Debbie]

example : airport rest room, no expectation of privacy in common areas of bathroom sinks, only in stall.


OOHHHhhhhhhh! That's what it means!

Thanx for the clarification Howard!

[Aldo]

Makes sense. I just never heard the term in that context.

If you've not heard of bubblers, it's because that's a very local name for water fountains of the thirst quenching variety.

[Debbie]

If you've not heard of bubblers, it's because that's a very local name for water fountains of the thirst quenching variety.

Nope. No way, Aldo. Not according to my girls......
Bubblers means blowing bubbles. They oughta know, they're experts on bubbles!
:icon_aets

Debbie

[Aldo]

When in Milwaukee, ask where you can find a bubbler and you'll get a dozen locations.

When In Milwaukee, ask where you can find a water fountain (or whatever you call them) and you'll get a look as if you are from Illinois or some other strange place.

[smidgen]

I agree with some of the things that are being said in here but from my security control days with the oldest museum in the U.S. (Peabody Essex Museum) in the state of MA I am not aloud to just monitor the people out side of our property lines unless they are doing harm to my building. If they are shooting at your cameras than I would say, yes it is your right to press charges but if they are defecating or something stupid like that out on the street it is not your business. I live in a VERY liberal state so the laws are very loose in that matter.

One situation that I did was when it was Halloween in Salem, MA a man decided (he was drunk) to swing from a stop sign just because it was there (idiot) anyway he was trying to break the sign off the poll, so I zoomed in on the man got his face on camera clearly and printed out the image. Once the cops came by the museum I handed him the image and the cops nabbed down the street!
After that, all the creeps knew that the cameras were on at PEM so they knew what was going on. I caught a lot of people via the cameras and surveillance equipment but I had to stay within the frame work of the city that PEM is located in.

Like everyone says, find out the laws in your city but also make sure to be aware idiots love to shoot cameras with beebee guns so get the type of cameras that have dome covers! Also a good idea is to go to a casino or a trafficked area and look up take a look at the configuration of how the cameras are set up so you can replicate that in your own space.

I hope that helps?

[smidgen]

"bubblers" in my neck of the woods when I lived down home was a water fountain not a bubble maker. Southern lingo is very different than in the North, I learned that the hardway a few times. I still think of bubblers as water fountains, though.

gosh, i miss arkansas so much sometimes.

[TonyR]

Thanks for all the additional input. An attorney with our rental housing association says that the cameras are legal so I'll leave them up. The cameras have a decent metal housing around them which hopefully will prevent vandalism.

Tony