I wanted to do this last summer, when we had a drug dealer doing deals right outside my kitchen window. Luckily he is gone now. But I would still like to place security camera around my apartment to record any other illegal acts, such as vandalism. My main concern is invading the privacy of someone that is not doing anything wrong. My landlord already has the main entrances to our building covered, but I would like to watch out for the common areas, such as wehre the drug deals took place.
I live in Upstate NY.
What can you record with a home security camera?
4 Responses for “What can you record with a home security camera?”
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The best suggestion is to contact the local police. Reason being, they are the ones who would end up getting the video.
One major thing you do need to consider is the quality of the recorded images. Camera’s are not like the human eye, they do have weaknesses, particularly the discount spy store or hardware store variety. I have a video surveillance section on my website at http://www.keepsafesystems.ca Feel free to check it out as it does have quite abit of techincal info on how camera’s and recorders work. After all, if the images are crap and the crackhead gets away, you just wasted your money on camera’s.
Back to the legality issue. Human rights groups are constantly bickering about public video surveillance. In fact, a town around here wanted to have camera’s installed in high crime area’s and was refused. However, traffic camera’s are allowed and are everywhere… difference being the recording. If you have a sign which states "your images are being recorded and will be used in criminal prosecution." Of course, like I said, talk to your local police or look for privacy commissioner in your area. Another thought would be, there should be nothing stopping you from having a camera recording activity in your appartment… maybe looking at a window. nudge nudge wink wink
As long as they are public places where anyone has access, than its all plain view and you can record all you wish.
There is no invasion of privacy as the common area is open and no one could reasonably expect the area to be private.
Check your state laws. I have known cases where it was illegeal simply Because it included sound or audio. I have also heard of cases where the landlord was secretly video taping a female in her bedroom and bathroom and because he DID NOT have sound they could only convict him on "peeping tom". So we really need to know what state you are in.