cameras on public property question

It's a mixed bag. We recently had a neighbor with a PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) on a pole by his garage. City made him take it down. Did they have a legal right to do that? I don't think so. (Disclaimer: I'm not a lawyer, blah, blah, blah.) Cities can put up cameras all over the place, but a private party can't? That's garbage. But, personally, and professionally, I can make an argument in both directions.

Here's one recent case:

I would just warn the customer to consider using the most low-key camera possible, and to keep their mouth shut when talking to neighbors. With luck, nobody will care or notice.

Eric

Thanks for the feedback, I printed this article out to show the customer. Sounds like an application for a small dome camera of some sort. Problem is it has to be an IR camera. Dave Remove the 2 for direct response

So, IR type cams come in domes.

My understanding is and using a bit of logic too is, city street cams are not supposed to peep inside businesses or on private property. In the same respect one should expect to get ones pic taken when in a public place, but one should expect privacy on private property and expect their pic to not be taken.

Therefore, cams should not take pics of a neighbors yard, which would invade their privacy. There's another problem too. A lot of cams have very good mics on them that can pic up what is going on inside a neighbors house very well.

It won't be long before everyone has cams all over their yards and houses and there is going to be a lot of abuse and problems that will have to be sorted out as people learn what they can and cannot do. The best thing to do is figure out a way to not point a cam in the direction of a neighbor, if you want to stay out of trouble. If a neighbor knew how well the mics work on some of these cams, they would be very concerned if they saw a cam pointed in their direction. They also have very good zooms.

Unfortunately, cams are going to change the world shortly, for better and for the worst. They make a great law enforcement tool, but do we really want to live with them watching our every move all the time? I don't.

I don't see how someone can expect privacy when they are out side even if they are in their own yard. Can you expect privacy in your house? Maybe in the bathroom or dressing room you can expect privacy but I suspect nowhere else or the nanny cams wouldn't sell so well.

Be careful what you say, we're watching you.

If the part of the property the camera views is within full view of the public there is no "expectation of privacy" and therefore no violation of anyone's privacy. However, if it is viewing an area that passersby would not normally be able to see, you have a potential problem.

That's a general rule of thumb. However, as with everything else in this business, rules and laws vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. To be absolutely certain, you may want to check with an attorney in your area.

Did someone or something take the fire out of Bass? By now the old Bass would have called this public camera thing a giant Republican conspiracy tied to Iraq or Gitmo. Jim is already whining about Bass not tossing a grenade or two into the posts. Something strange is going on!

Robert's being "civil", which is refreshing for a change. Quit instigating.