FAQ About Security Cameras Do I Need to Post a Sign for Surveillance Cameras? No laws in the United States require signs to be posted when video surveillance cameras are installed in a public place. What about hidden cameras? No laws in the United States require signs giving notice of hidden camera surveillance, particularly when surveillance takes place in a public setting where citizens have no expectation of privacy. Surveillance cameras, such as nanny cams placed in homes to monitor household employees, also require no posting of signs. Federal laws do prohibit hidden cameras in places where citizens have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as bathrooms, hotel rooms, changing rooms and locker rooms. DO NOT: Point a outside security camera so that you can look inside a window. Point a outside security camera so that you can look inside a front or back door. A good rule of thumb is; If you can see it with regular vision outside, it can be covered by a surveillance camera. Effects Posting a sign warning of video surveillance can be such an effective deterrent to crime that some people post the sign even where they have imitation, nonfunctional surveillance units or no video camera in place at all. This is not advised though. A criminal or someone that has video security experience can easily do an survey of a home and assess if they actually have surveillance cameras. You cant fool an experienced electronic technician or someone trained in security. We have to be qualified for installation and evaluation of of these products. An experienced criminal can also spot TRUE video surveillance. Considerations Posting a sign to inform visitors or employees of video surveillance not only provides a measure of protection from crime, it also allows the homeowner or business owner who installs the cameras to argue that anyone caught on camera was warned in advance. No Trespassing Pennsylvania Criminal trespassing laws in Pennsylvania are found in Title 18 – Crimes and Offenses Section 3503. legis.state.pa.us/WU01/LI/LI/CT/HTM/18/00.035.003.000..HTM Pennsylvania’s wording is “a person commits an offense if, knowing that he is not licensed or privileged to do so,” enters and remains on property. Trespassing is contingent on the circumstances and guilty parties can be charged with misdemeanors or felonies. Similarly, wording for signage or “posted” notice is very similar in that it must be “posted in a manner prescribed by law or reasonably likely to come to the attention of intruders.” IMPORTANT In other words, make sure to have an obvious sign stating that there is no trespassing sign facing all main areas of your property and you will have legal recourse against intruders. (see examples below)
Posted on: Thu, 04 Sep 2014 09:21:21 +0000
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