| The dependability and prevalence of video | | | | concern the invasion of privacy with the use of |
| surveillance cameras has increased dramatically in the | | | | covert video surveillance. The use of covert video |
| past decade. Numerous home and business owners | | | | surveillance is particularly controversial in areas in |
| have integrated video surveillance cameras into their | | | | which a high level of personal privacy is expected, |
| security systems to ensure safety, crack down on | | | | such as: locker rooms, dressing rooms, bedrooms, |
| regulations, and catch criminals in the act. Video | | | | and bathroom stalls. There are some general |
| surveillance is considered covert when the cameras | | | | guidelines to follow to ensure the legality of your |
| are hidden or aren't identifiable. Video surveillance is | | | | video surveillance system. |
| largely legal in the United States, as long as it doesn't | | | | Covert video surveillance is illegal when: Audio |
| directly infringe on a person's fourth amendment right | | | | surveillance is also taking place, without the consent |
| to privacy.Uses of Covert Video Surveillance"A | | | | of those being monitored and the person being |
| picture is worth a thousand words." This saying rings | | | | monitored by the video surveillance has a reasonable |
| true in court. According to a recent study, when a | | | | expectation of privacy.Covert video surveillance may |
| jury is presented with video surveillance footage, it is | | | | be illegal when: The video surveillance encourages an |
| twice as likely to convict as when not shown video | | | | illegal activity and the subject under video surveillance |
| surveillance evidence. The strategic placement of | | | | has a right to counsel, as when being questioned by |
| covert video surveillance cameras aid in the detection | | | | law authorities and the person in charge of the |
| and prosecution of vandalism, theft, child abuse, elder | | | | premises have not given permission for video |
| neglect, stalking, and harassment.Some of the more | | | | surveillance.If you opt to incorporate a covert video |
| common places to use covert video surveillance are: | | | | surveillance system into your home or business, |
| Homes, Casinos, Police Stations, Nursing Homes, | | | | consult with a lawyer or your local law enforcement |
| Construction Sites, Prisons, Hospitals and Retail | | | | agency to ensure your compliance with local, state, |
| Stores.Monitoring the activities of nannies and | | | | and federal video surveillance laws.Many independent |
| household help with covert video surveillance cameras | | | | studies in the United States and United Kingdom have |
| is a growing trend. Due to recent advances in | | | | suggested that video surveillance acts as a powerful |
| technology, cameras are now small enough to be | | | | deterrent, stopping crimes before they happen. |
| hidden in many home items such as teddy bears, | | | | Studies also show strong evidence that video |
| house plants, clocks, and wall paintings.Video | | | | surveillance systems can be an extremely effective |
| Surveillance LawsMost video surveillance is legal in the | | | | tool in detection and prosecution. |
| United States. The majority of video surveillance laws | | | | |