Even in today's high-tech world, the use of security cameras is common. In fact, it's becoming fairly popular for homeowners to install cameras as a precaution against burglars and trespassers. It's relatively affordable compared to some home security and reasonably effective.
With that being the case, there has been a rise in complaints from neighborhoods. Some homeowners will use cameras, and others will be extremely uncomfortable with the concept. It's created quite a few disagreements about privacy violations and the like.
WHY BLOCK A NEIGHBOR'S SECURITY CAMERAS
Since people are finding themselves in those tricky situations involving the neighbor's security cameras, we're here to provide valuable and practical tips to help you avoid unnecessary complications concerning your privacy.
This article will discuss how, why, and when to block your neighbor's security measures. It is essential to stay within the bounds of the law, so pay special attention to the methods we discuss.
VIOLATION OF PRIVACY
If the neighbors point security cameras at any place where there is a reasonable expectation of privacy (bedroom, backyard, front yard, bathroom, etc...), your privacy and security may be violated.
Most people find themselves uncomfortable with such a breach. It feels very invasive and somewhat hostile.
CRIMINAL USAGE
If the neighbor is using the footage he or she gathers to hurt or stalk you, it doesn't matter if the cameras are technically on the neighbor's property, it is dangerous and illegal and law enforcement officers need to be involved right away.
At this point, the camera placement has become a danger to you and anyone else living on your property and needs to be handled swiftly.
UNREASONABLE NEIGHBORS
Some people don't understand that their actions are causing discomfort and are happy to adjust the camera when the issue has been presented politely and reasonably. That is the best-case scenario.
Other times, however, to defend your legal right to privacy, you may try to talk with your neighbor and be unsuccessful. If the offensive security camera owners decline to correct the situation, you should take more drastic measures.
IS IT ILLEGAL TO INSTALL SECURITY CAMERAS?
Unfortunately, there is not one answer to this question.
It partially depends on what area the camera covers. Suppose the neighbor's camera covers a wide area, and your house is simply included in that. In that case, you won't get a complaint to go through because your neighbor can provide ample reason for their camera coverage.
However, even if the surveillance cameras are intentionally pointed at an area belonging to you, your neighbor is still technically within their rights. Suppose you call the footage into question as long as your neighbor can provide ample reason for why the camera is pointed at your grounds, how the cameras are being used, and what the footage will be used for. In that case, the law will not be able to help make you more comfortable.
If your neighbor doesn't have malicious intent and you have nothing to hide, it is best not to attempt to have your neighbor remove the cameras from their land. While feasible, it will quickly burn through your time and money in the form of lawyers, proceedings, gas, and more. Even then, if the neighbor can prove that they need the cameras, they might have grounds to keep them, and then all that stress will have been pointless.
IS IT LEGAL TO BLIND SECURITY CAMERAS
The answer is yes but with a caveat. If you are vandalizing another person's property, it is NOT legal. There should be zero issues if you are only adjusting your own property (such as setting up your own security cameras or a bright light).
The last thing you want to do is get into legal trouble by trespassing or destroying private property. Next, we will talk about what you should do and what you shouldn't do.
6 TIPS TO BLOCK A NEIGHBOR'S SECURITY CAMERA
It's imperative that you remain within the bounds of the law when you take measures against the neighbor's security systems. If you ignore these boundaries, you are no better than the person you're trying to thwart. Here are six effective and practical ways to block a security camera pointed at your home.
TALK TO YOUR NEIGHBOR
The first thing to do is to talk to your neighbor.
Sometimes, neighbors have security cameras legally installed without having the proper frame of reference for others' privacy or what is considered appropriate. If you're fortunate, you will have reasonable neighbors willing to adjust the surveillance angle, and you will have to take no further steps.
If the neighbors are uncooperative, here is what comes next:
DETERMINE IF ITS A FAKE CAMERA
Before you go through all the trouble to block CCTV security cameras, you should at least determine what you're working with.
To save money, a lot of homeowners will install fake security cameras. Fake cameras are a reasonably cheap way to deter burglars and vandals. The mere suggestion of being caught on camera makes any illegal act much more risky.
There are three significant signs that you're dealing with a fake. One, the camera will lack a short cable. Two, it will lack an infrared indicator light (easily visible at night). Three, it will not have a proper brand name, and most dummy cameras have blinking red lights, while most security cameras do not.
Of course, there are some unknown camera brands, but you often don't have to worry about them. It's the high-definition ones with a wide field of vision that you need to worry about, and those cameras usually come with respectable names.
GET A MEDIATOR
If your nosy neighbor is being unreasonable and you determine the camera is not a fake, your next step might be to seek a mediator's help. Most areas have local community service meant for such disputes as this.
Local community justice and neighborhood mediator centers are there to listen to your needs and mediate a meeting between you and your neighbor. The idea is that they will help create a civilized environment where an appealing solution can be reached. Often, all it takes is the presence of a third party to prevent things from going south. It's amazing what mediators can accomplish.
USE TREES, FENCING, OR CURTAINS
For daytime privacy, you can install privacy film on your windows. Window film will allow you to open your curtains for all that gorgeous sunshine without opening yourself up to your neighbor's cameras.
Fencing can be complicated depending on the camera's positioning. If their cameras are elevated to a second story, fencing may not be a good option for you. If the cameras stay on the porches, you can accomplish some privacy without building a ten-foot wall.
Though they're not considered the most attractive option, privacy fences are common in neighborhoods. People are used to the idea of the towering, six-foot fences and don't often put up much of a fuss. They're expensive and fill up the visual space of your yard, but many homeowners find them a comfortable option that offers them the privacy they're longing for.
While planting trees may be the least practical method, it's an effective way to block security cameras while beautifying your yard.
Remember, if you're not planting fully grown trees, there's little use. While cute and promising for the future, baby trees do not help at the moment.
INSTALL YOUR OWN SECURITY CAMERAS
Giving your neighbors a dose of their own medicine may sound silly, but it's one of the best deterrents. As long as you remain within your legal rights, it may teach your neighbors how uncomfortable it can make someone while increasing your security.
This option is playing the long game, but it's often successful. In a sort of mutual truce, the offending neighbor will usually turn their cameras away and expect you to do the same.
CONSULT A LAWYER OR THE POLICE
If your neighbor's security camera has a clear view of your home's interior and they have shown no interest in correcting the issue, you can contact the police. They will have advice on how to thwart the pesky security camera owner.
If those options don't succeed, consider contacting your lawyer for help suing your neighbors for criminal harassment.
WHAT NOT TO DO WHEN BLOCKING NEIGHBORS' CCTV SECURITY CAMERAS
Though this problem can be frustrating and invasive, there are specific ways you shouldn't use to blind your neighbor's security cameras.
LASER POINTER
A laser pointer (or infrared laser) may effectively block a CCTV security camera for a short time, but it also causes damage to the camera's lens and interior. It does this because a laser pointer is a concentrated beam of heat. It can melt the lens and interior if pointed directly at a security camera for too long.
Most standard laser pointers need to be more powerful for this approach. It would be best to have something more powerful than a cat toy to melt the interior. A standard laser pointer can - at most - disrupt the camera's ability to secure a clear picture; to make that an effective strategy, you must have a steady hand and eyes on the camera at all times.
If you are caught aiming this kind of laser at another person's property and then damaging it, you could be called in for the destruction of private property.
HACK INTO THE SYSTEM
Though it's easy enough to learn how to hack CCTV cameras by searching related information online, you have to be exceptionally skilled to be untraceable. It's generally frowned upon, and it invites legal trouble for yourself.
It's also easy to obtain the help of a professional. However, these professionals have plenty of clauses in their contracts that keep them protected from the legalities of it. If there's trouble, they're getting off the hook, and you're potentially facing jail time.
SPRAY PAINT
Like laser pointers, tampering with the neighbor's surveillance camera is not an acceptable option. Applying spray paint directly onto the neighbor's security camera lens will undoubtedly block the camera's view, but it will implicate you. You can easily be caught on the security camera footage, and then, suddenly, you're the problem, not your neighbor.
THROW OBJECTS AT IT
Don't laugh.
No matter how silly sounding, this idea could be dangerous to you should you attempt it. You will likely be captured causing trouble on the neighbor's camera. That footage can then be taken to the police to incriminate you. If you need to disable security cameras, you must find a way to do it lawfully.
USE JAMMERS
To use jammers to disrupt security cameras, they first must be wireless, and you have to know the exact frequency to be on. It's a highly complex procedure.
Not to mention, it's illegal in the United States to jam wireless signals. Since using a security camera jammer is unlawful, you probably don't need more convincing, but they're also costly and temporary. Once the owner of the surveillance camera figures out what you're doing, they have to switch cameras, and you have to start all over.
If hidden cameras exist, you have only put yourself in the line of fire without accomplishing anything.
CUT CABLES
This may seem like an effective way to stop the camera without affecting the camera lens, therefore incriminating yourself, but it is considered malicious destruction of property. At this point, you are being blatantly illegal. Not to mention professional installers will run cable in conduit if exposed or through the attic giving you no access to the line itself.
CONCLUSION
There are both legal and illegal ways to blind home security cameras. It would be best to stay within the law's bounds or risk making things so much worse for yourself. Stay safe, stay aware, and protect your privacy.
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