2009 December

A friends daughter complained to her mother that she thought her long time housekeeper had been pilfering small items from her home. The housekeeper had been with her for several years and she had always trusted her. She didn’t know what to do because she didn’t want to accuse her of theft if she wasn’t absolutely positive. There had been different workers in the home doing some home improvement which complicated matters.

My friend, knowing of my police background and current business, asked my advice. I asked what type of items had been taken and she said there were several small items ranging from collectibles to jewelry. Most of the items were located in her daughters bedroom. I suggested to her that her daughter set up a hidden camera in that room so that she could find out for sure if her housekeeper was in deed stealing from her.

She picked a wireless vanity mirror that could be placed on a dresser in her bedroom. About a week after setting up the hidden camera, her once trusted housekeeper was observed removing a ring from the woman’s dresser and placing it in her pocket.

My friend asked me what her daughter should do next. I advised her to contact the police and make a theft report. She spoke with her daughter and her daughter didn’t want to prosecute her housekeeper, she just wanted to get all of her property back and fire her. I tried to convince my friend’s daughter to make a police report because this housekeeper could continue her life of crime with other unsuspecting employers if she wasn’t stopped legally.

My friend’s daughter confronted her housekeeper and her housekeeper denied taking any property even when confronted with the fact that she had been caught on tape taking a ring. She became indignant and left the woman’s home.

This convinced the woman to make a police report alleging theft against the housekeeper. The housekeeper was more willing to cooperate with the police and several stolen articles were recovered from the housekeeper. She was charged with theft and pled guilty prior to going to trial. Because she had no prior record she was placed on probation.

If my friend’s daughter hadn’t set up the hidden camera she would never have caught her housekeeper stealing, the police would probably not have gotten her to give up the stolen property and the case would not have been strong enough to file. Because it was clear cut the housekeeper pled guilty rather than going to trial, saving court costs for the citizens of Ventura County, California.

By: Rosalie Kimberlin


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Hidden cameras have become very popular in recent years with business owners, law enforcement officers and parents. Business owners often use surveillance systems to keep an eye on employees or their store to protect the business from theft or abuse. Hidden cameras are used by the police to catch criminals in the act or to record arrests as they occur. Parents use nanny cams to make sure their children are being properly treated. If you’re thinking of buying a hidden camera or other type of security camera, here’s a quick guide below.

How Hidden Cameras Work

There are two types of hidden cameras – wireless and wired. Wireless hidden cameras use batteries and have the camera and transmitter concealed with no visible wire from the camera to the recording equipment. Wired cameras will have a physical wire running from a VCR or PC to the camera.

To determine if you need a wireless or wired hidden camera, consider the length of time you will need to record. Will the batteries hold up long enough? The location of the hidden camera is also important. Hidden cameras come in a variety of shapes, forms and themes. Choose a camera that goes well with the environment around so it will be unnoticeable. Some cameras feature wide-angle viewing, which comes in handy when you need to survey a large area. Also, the lighting of the area is important. Check the hidden camera’s resolution before buying.

Types of Hidden Cameras and Security Cameras

There are many types of hidden cameras and security cameras for all situations. From dummy cameras to professional cameras, each one serves its own unique purpose. Here are some types of cameras and their benefits.

Nanny Cams

Protect your children throughout the day with a nanny cam. Even if you have a nanny you feel you can trust, it doesn’t hurt to have a nanny cam for the safety of your children and home. Nanny cams are actually hidden cameras that come in many shapes and sizes. The camera might be embedded in children’s items such as teddy bears, backpacks, baby wipe containers, dolls, stuffed animals, etc. These items can be placed in the child’s room along with other toys. There are also nanny cams for other rooms of the home, including clocks, radios, table lamps, food containers, thermostats, pillows, picture frames, hair dryers, DVD players, etc. Every room can have a nanny cam if needed. Check with your local law enforcement before getting a nanny cam or hidden camera for your home to be sure there are no restrictions.

Surveillance Systems

If you need more than a few hidden cameras, consider a surveillance system. Surveillance systems enable you to observe multiple locations through one sophisticated system. With a channel DVR system, hidden cameras are set up in different areas and interconnected so you can survey all the areas through multiple channels. You can expand your surveillance system as your business or operation grows. There are also portable DVR surveillance systems and those that enable you to monitor the area from any location online.

Monitors

Monitors are screens that show what is going on as it happens. Many public places have monitors set up to let people know they are being recorded. Some monitors are used by the owners or security guards to keep an eye on areas from behind the scenes.

Dummy Cameras

Dummy cameras are not hidden cameras or even real security cameras. They look like real security cameras and give an appearance that the area is being recorded. The thieves won’t know if the camera is real or not. Dummy cameras are often used as a deterrent by many business owners.

Professional Cameras

Professional cameras are often used to survey large businesses or offices, inside or outside. They can be mounted on walls or ceiling brackets. Some are waterproof for outdoor surveillance. A variety of professional cameras are available for different situations.

Hidden cameras and security cameras are great for protecting your children, home, business or property. Use the guide above to find the hidden camera or security camera that’s right for you.

By: Chris Robertson

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Are you concerned with the behavior of caregivers when you are not there to see how they are tending to your loved ones? Perhaps you are being harassed in the workplace and need to have confirmation of somebody else’s bad behavior. Do you want to know what goes on at your office when you aren’t there? If you have answered yes to any of these concerns, you may be in the market for a hidden security camera.

Any type of security system has its own particular advantages and shortcomings. As a crime deterrent, homes and businesses would be better served with a camera that is placed in an obvious and highly visible location. The general consensus is that would-be burglars and/or criminals will hesitate to invade a space where overt surveillance is present.

On the other hand, covert surveillance serves many other useful purposes. Should a criminal decide to invade your home or business, they will probably tend to be a little less careful about disguising their appearance and, on the off chance they do discover a recording device, chances of them disabling it are pretty slim. Therefore, even if they do succeed in committing a crime their image will be captured and available to law enforcement officials – which may aid in a speedy capture.

Because concealed surveillance usually goes hand in hand with continuous monitoring, it is much simpler for surveillance teams to quickly become aware of a breach in security and, therefore, alert the authorities in a more timely fashion.

Of course, all this comes with a heft price tag, which makes advanced covert surveillance feasible only for larger businesses and/or the homes of the very wealthy. However, strides in technology have made it possible for almost everyone to have access to hidden cameras.

Tiny cameras, which can be implanted in everyday objects such as Teddy Bears or wall clocks (more familiarly referred to as “Nanny Cams”) are nearly imperceptible to detection are now available for recording other people’s activities without their knowing about it. Some do require more advanced equipment in order to operate effectively, but most can record video on built-in memory cards which are easily transferred to a computer for viewing.

Some devices have been designed to work in conjunction with a receiver such as a DVR or VCR via cable connections; however units are now available with on-board wireless transmitters that can record activities on an external unit up to 2000 ft away from its source. US federal laws prevent surreptitious audio recording by anyone other than law enforcement officials, so there is no need for the unit to work with a sound system.

Therefore, regardless of whether you want to provide round the clock surveillance in your home or place of business, or you just want to keep tabs on the babysitter while you are at work, a hidden security camera may be just the tool for you.

By: Ned D'Agostino

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Wireless Hidden Cameras, sometimes called Nanny Cameras, are one of the most popular products when it comes to home security. Why? Because they work and they are easy to install – anyone can start recording in less than 10 minutes.

Unfortunately most people think the only use for a Wireless Hidden Camerais to keep an eye on their nanny or baby sitter as they care for your child. Well, since they’re wireless they are also portable. And, most wireless cameras have a range of 700 feet or more which means they can be placed in many unusual places.

Here are some ideas for using a Wireless Hidden Camera that you may not have considered:

Home for Aged People – a clock radio or picture frame camera could keep you informed about how your loved one is being treated Vacation Homes – Since you’re not there all the time your property is vulnerable to burglars, vandalism or worse. And, with all the natural disasters we’ve had lately, your Wireless Camera can be a valuable asset. You can monitor your property from your home computer using specified software even for miles away. Rental Properties – put a sign on your property saying “this house is protected by a hidden camera.”. Burglars seeing this will be less likely to bother with your house, plus you can keep an eye on your investment from your own home. Home Swimming Pools – monitor your kids from anywhere in your home. Now you can make sure that there are no unwanted visitors in your pool. Barns – Ensure your animals or expensive tractors or tools are safe You can even monitor your pets when you are away from home – great when you have a new puppy who likes to chew as well as ‘do his business’ on your rug. Also, how well do the cat and dog really get along when you’re away? And don’t forget your apartment. Just because you have a locked door or buzzer downstairs, or even a guard at the door doesn’t make you immune from burglars. Just watch a couple of cop shows on TV or movies and see how vulnerable your apartment really is.

There are many kinds of Wireless Hidden Cameras available in all sizes, shapes and colors. Some are even disguises in everyday working appliances, e.g. clock radio, boom box, or air fresheners.

So you see, there are many uses for Wireless Hidden Cameras. Just let your imagination run wild.

By: Larry Zolna

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If you are trying to find a great way to keep your family and home safe hidden cameras are a great idea. You may want answers for the questions you have been having. Is the nanny treating my kids properly? Where is all of my silverware going? Is someone stealing from me? Getting answers to these questions are among the benefits that hidden cameras offer.

Blending in cameras with the environment and making them basically invisible is quite easy. Most people that visit your home would never guess that there are hidden cameras there. Everyone has perfect behavior when they are aware of cameras on them. You would not believe the things some people do when they believe no one will find out.

Hidden cameras or covert cameras usually come with no wires. This makes is a lot easier to hide them because you have no wires to keep hidden as well. They are also very small and can be hidden at a distance from the receiver without losing signal. They signal will send the picture to the receiver and then the screen.

Covert operations were not always so easy. The cameras use to have a very limited battery time. Some newer models call DVR cameras have both the hidden camera and recorder in one unit. They generally use a SD card contained within the unit for recording, which can be removed and view on a computer. By using micro PIR technology they can extend the standby time up to 1 year and record time to 20 hours from one battery charge.

Installing these covert cameras is simple because you can put them about any where. You can use a book, speakers, or even alarm clock to hide them in. The things you see everyday around your home would be perfect for housing one of these cameras. They can be hidden in almost anything because of how small they are, and know one would even suspect it. You do not even have wires to worry about hiding.

If you have children living in your home then a camera is a wonderful thing to have. It allows you to watch your children closer without them even knowing about it. You are able to be the nosy parent and they will never suspect it. If you have some one come into your home to watch your children a covert camera will let you know if they are behaving properly or not.

A hidden camera can even be used at work. You may suspect that a co worker is snooping through your desk and going through your things. There are many common objects such as tissue boxes or computer speakers that have built-in cameras that can be used. The benefits and uses a covert camera has are amazing and you will likely have just the use for it.

Theft can be a big problem. If you are dealing with this problem a hidden camera can be a great way to end it. You can see who is stealing from you and then call the cops. If you believe your spouse is being unfaithful you do not have to call a professional investigator to find out. Hidden cameras will do the trick. The benefits are endless when you use hidden cameras and I assure you it is not something you will regret buying.

By: Mike Josh Ward

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People don’t feel safe anymore. They don’t feel safe in the home or outside the home. One way to make sure you are safer is to buy some security cameras. Hidden security cameras can keep a watch for you when you’re not around. Prices have fallen drastically from the days when only James Bond could afford them. Let’s take a short minute to discuss how to protect your home, family and business with a hidden security camera.

There are many types of security cameras to choose from, and not all of them have to be hidden. Or do they need to be. Cameras out in the open at your workplace can act as a deterrent to employee theft or vandalism.

Hidden security cameras can capture activities from unscrupulous people who don’t know they are being watched. This is why nanny cameras have grown in popularity. They can keep an eye on your babysitter watching your children while you are away. This does not mean all nannies need to be watched however because most of them are good. It’s the rare minority that give the rest a bad name.

Cameras you can employ can be very small such as a pinhole camera or bullet camera. These are very affordable with prices ranging from $50-$100 depending on how sophisticated you want to get.

To make sure your home and work life are safe you should look into buying a hidden security camera which is a small price to pay to help you sleep peacefully at night.

By: Eric Robertie

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A wireless hidden camera is just that — it’s wireless. There is no need to run wires through walls or under rugs. A wireless camera consists of a camera with a transmitter and a separate receiver which attaches to your TV or VCR. Being wireless, the transmitter does not have to be connected to the receiver. To make it ‘hidden’, a wireless camera is built into an existing everyday object that you would usually see in your home or business.

Your wireless hidden camera (also called a nanny camera) can be found in a variety of everyday objects — radios, air purifiers, computer speakers, and more. A wireless camera can be tailored to fit into your home. Since it looks natural being plugged in the wall there is no need to disguise the power cord.

Ease of installation is one of the main reasons why people choose to purchase a wireless hidden camera. You don’t need to be a ‘camera guru’ and your camera can be up and running in as little as 5 minutes. Just connect the power supply of the object containing the camera into a wall outlet and point the camera where you want to view. Then connect the receiver to your TV or VCR and you are set up and ready to go!

I’ll use a clock radio for the example in this report. You have three uses for a clock radio camera — a wireless hidden camera (nanny cam), a working clock and a functioning radio. The camera and transmitter inside the radio are powered by the clock radio’s power supply.

When the clock radio is plugged in, the camera is always on, even if you turn the radio off. It is almost impossible to detect a hidden wireless camera because it doesn’t attract attention. If it looks like a radio and plays like a radio and even plugs in like a radio then it must be a radio, right?

Here are some ways that your wireless hidden camera can give you an added measure of security:

Use it as a nanny camera to keep an eye on your family while they are under the care of a nanny or baby sitter. Now, if your child is injured you’ll know exactly what happened!

It’s a difficult decision for any parent to leave their child with a stranger. Do you know how often your nanny or baby sitter yells at your child? She surely won’t tell you and if your child is too young to tell you, how will you know? We’ve all seen shocking footage from nanny cams on TV which may lead you to question the care your own children are receiving. It’s a fact — shaken head/fractured neck syndrome in babies actually occurs. Our children are our greatest blessing — nothing is more important then their safety. Even if your child does not have any cuts or bruises, that does mean that he or she is not being abused. A qualilty wireless hidden camera is going to show you what the REAL story is when you are away.

Your wireless hidden camera is portable — the object containing it can be moved wherever you want it without suspicion. You won’t be confined to placing it in a permanent position.

You can put your camera into any room you want to view. You can watch your children in the daytime and then place it to watch your front door at night. You can also move your receiver to any VCR or TV in your home. If you have more than one TV (which most people have today), by moving your receiver hook-up you can watch from any room in your house!

Did you know that the arrest rate for burglaries is as low as 15%? The reason for this is because there are very rarely any eyewitnessess to the crime. Placing a wireless hidden camera in your home or office will provide you with the information about who did the crime.

We’ve all seen detective stories on TV where four eyewitnesses all give different descriptions of what they saw. Now you can give an accurate description to the police so there will be a greater chance of the thief being caught.

There are so many other uses for a wireless hidden camera. You can:

keep an eye on any repairman doing work in your home make sure your housekeeper really does her job watch your young children playing with their friends and getting along properly keep an eye on your puppy during his potty training or furniture-chewing days Also, businesses can have clock radios and other objects that can contain a wireless hidden camera. You can monitor activities of your employees, salespeople or anyone you wish that comes into your office. You should, however, check your local laws before you do this. AND, you can probably think of MANY OTHER WAYS your wireless hidden camera can help you in your lome.

By the way, there’s a neat thing you can do with your wireless hidden camera. If you have a TV that has a ‘picture-in-picture’ feature, place your camera in your child’s room (or any other room) and then, while you are in the living room, you can watch the camera image on the small screen while you watch your favorite TV show at the same time. This is wonderful for a new parent and avoids constantly running in to check on the baby. Been there, done that! So you see, there are many ways to use your wireless hidden camera to achieve peace of mind in your home or office. And the best news is that you don’t have to be a camera buff to install and operate it.

By: Larry Zolna

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If you are considering hiding a camera in your home, youre not alone. Many parents and homeowners may decide to hide hidden cameras to keep an eye on their babysitter, their housekeeper, or to catch someone vandalizing their property.

There following are some of the basics you should know about hidden cameras and hiding cameras in your home.

Why use a hidden camera?

There are a wide range of reasons why people may choose to use a hidden camera. They may be suspicious that their nanny is abusing or neglecting their child. Hidden cameras have been monumental in providing the proof needed to catch and then prosecute child care workers who abuse or neglect the young children in their care.

Hidden cameras can also be used outside the home to see what is going on on the outside as well. Some people may be concerned with vandalism to their home or yard or theft from their yard. A hidden camera can help to catch these crimes on tape, so they can be turned over to the police and the people responsible for the crimes can be caught.

Hidden cameras can also be used on family members. Some parents have used hidden cameras in their teenagers bedrooms if they are concerned that their teen is using drugs or drinking when the parent is not home.

These are just a few of the most common reasons people choose to use a hidden camera. Regardless of their motivation for doing so, hidden cameras can provide parents and homeowners with either the proof that something is going on, or they can assuage their fears by proving that nothing suspicious or illegal is going on in their home.

Where to hide a hidden camera?

Where you choose to hide your hidden camera depends completely on what you are hoping it to catch. If you feel that your babysitter might be harming your child, a good place to put the hidden camera (or two) would be in the childs bedroom, in view of the crib, or in the family room, where the child might most likely be playing.

If you are concerned about the outside of your home, put a hidden camera outside. For example, if you know someone is hopping over your fence and letting your dog out, place the camera by your dog house. Or if you think someone is breaking in to your toolshed, place the camera where it will see the front of the shed.

Think carefully about what it is you want to see before hiding your hidden cameras in your house.

How to ensure it does the job right

You can be sure your camera is doing the job right by following all of the installation and operating instructions, or by having the camera installed professionally.

Another way to ensure your camera does the job right is to make sure you are putting it in the right location. Be sure to think carefully about where you want to put the cameras before you actually install them, to make sure they can capture the things you want to catch.

There are a number of things you should know before hiding a hidden camera in your home. The above tips will help you to make sure your camera does the job right.

By: Eric Jensen

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It seems we are being spied on everywhere. When the world doesn’t feel safe, schools and businesses revert to using electronic surveillance. Generally this consists of hidden cameras. Sometimes there are even hidden bathroom cameras.

Schools are using surveillance more and more frequently. This is supposed to help keep students safe. It also helps to solve crimes that have already occurred. Knowing cameras are there causes students to think before engaging in misbehavior.

Some parents also favor surveillance cameras in the schools. They think it keeps kids and teachers safer. Others view it as invasion of privacy. They are afraid that we will teach kids that monitoring their behavior is normal, that they should expect life to be like that. They think it adds a prison feel to the school.

Bad behavior can happen anywhere, including bathrooms. If cameras are everywhere but bathrooms, then bathrooms can become an unsafe environment as those who want to cause trouble at school do it the only place they can. School officials who use hidden bathroom cameras say that they are not used in showers or stalls. Hidden bathroom cameras aim at places like sinks and entrances. They are not placed in more private areas.

Surveillance is becoming common in other areas as well. Some businesses monitor their premises. Employees are left to wonder if the cameras are really intended to monitor them instead.

Department stores use monitoring equipment to assist with shoplifting prosecution. Shoppers know that there may be cameras in stores and don’t mind this because they are made aware of it. What is more disturbing is that hidden cameras have been found in dressing rooms. In many states stores can place them wherever they want, making hidden bathroom cameras legal.

Perform an internet search for hidden bathroom cameras and you will find a number of pornography sites. These sites often claim to have hidden webcams in the bathrooms at various institutions. This means that your daughter, your wife, your mother, or even you could unknowingly appear on camera while in the bathroom stall while others online are watching. If you are inclined to patronize pornographic websites, remember that the ones offering hidden cameras could be hurting your loved ones.

Hidden bathroom cameras can serve a purpose if they are not in stalls or showers. If a business or school that is relatively safe uses them, one must question why. In the quest for safety, we are headed for a world of surveillance in our most private moments. Somehow we must balance our need for safety with our right to privacy. In America, we still have that right. Let’s strive to keep it.

By: John Francis

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The laws on hidden video cameras differ from state to state. If you’re currently considering installing or are using a hidden video camera system, it would be prudent to investigate the specific laws of your state to ensure that you don’t run into any legal problems should anyone discover and take offense to the fact you’re operating a covert video surveillance system.

At the time of this writing, there are only thirteen states which have any laws prohibiting the installation and/or operation of hidden cameras. The laws that govern these specific states only expressly prohibit the installation of hidden surveillance equipment in those places where individuals have the right to a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as bathrooms, locker rooms, dressing rooms, bedrooms, etc.

In fact, if a crime is captured on tape by a hidden camera, in many states, the video is admissible as evidence in court. In quite a number of states, consent from the parties being filmed isn’t even necessary; while in a number of others, receiving the consent of only one party is required.

Despite the lack of uniform or strict laws governing the installation and use of hidden video surveillance equipment, it would be wise to consult with local law enforcement to be certain of the specific regulations governing your area and to ensure that you have a clear understanding of the laws.

It should be noted that it is illegal to record speech without all recorded parties’ consent in the states of: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oregon, Pennsylvania and Washington.

More than just consulting with law enforcement, take advantage of the internet, where you can gather significant additional information.

In order to avoid any costly legal actions in the future, it’s definitely better to find out ahead of time what you can or can’t do legally in your state when installing a covert camera surveillance system.

By: Dorothy Lumski

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