My neighbor installed 8 videocameras pointed at my house and property, can I do anything?

Question

In the last year my neighbor has also erected an 8 foot high chain linked fence and 12 "no tresspassing signs". I live on one acre he lives on 12 acres. The problem area is one quarter mile from his front door, but right behind my house in my backyard. This is the only area on his property where he has done this. I can't begin to describe how bad this looks. My neighbor is also very close to the local law enforcement and county officials. They will not do anything.

Answer 1

Do you hate each other?

Maybe you could speak to the zoning board about changing the rules to ban excessive numbers of outdoor video cameras on residential property. Or maybe you could take him to court and get a judge to give you some type of restraining order that would require your neighbor to remove all cameras pointed directly at your house (you would have to prove some type of harm -- like you have proof that he is doing this just to harass you, or it lowers the property value of your lot because of the nuisance factor, etc.).

See a lawyer.

****Edit****

[Real Estate Nuisance and Court Ordered Injunctions]

Under the common law, persons in possession of real property (either land owners or tenants) are entitled to the quiet enjoyment of their lands. If a neighbour interferes with that quiet enjoyment, either by creating smells, sounds, pollution or any other hazard that extends past the boundaries of the property, the affected party may make a claim in nuisance. Under the common law, the only remedy for a nuisance was the payment of damages. However, with the development of the courts of equity, the remedy of an injunction became available to prevent a defendant from repeating the activity that caused the nuisance, and specifying punishment for contempt if the defendant is in breach of such an injunction.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuisance

Answer 2

In most states, videotaping anywhere in a public place is allowed, so a shot from the street of the front of your house is totally allowed, unless he crosses the boundary and steps into your yard, (criminal trespass) or tries to take video right through your windows (disorderly conduct (peeping tom)), lastly, if the camera looks over your back yard, where it clearly creates an intrusion of privacy, especially if it's 24/7 you have a failry solid "stalker" case, however, you must be sure that the camera picks up on your property and the viewable range, get an attorney.

Answer 3

well obviously nude sunbathing or gardening is out...

this is such an invasion of privacy, you are being taped all the time for all you know...You can't video-tape someone without their consent can you? you don't know what he might be doing with the footage.

There is screening.. I am not sure if you ever saw the photos when Angelina and Brad were in Africa and they put up screening in the backyard so Maddox could play and not be photographed or their windows look into... Its a green screening. Put up green screening to protect your privacy. Its use as a wind breaker too...

There are tower poplars they don't bush out and grow straight up. But they do not have a life span of an evergreen but they grow fast.

Answer 4

Look into the laws regarding fences and video surveillance equipment in your area. If he is violating laws, you can retain an attorney to make his life miserable. In all likelihood though, he is doing this because of something that happened on that stretch of land and he is trying to protect his property. If it was something you did, perhaps you can apologize and explain that it won't happen again. If it wasn't, perhaps you could talk to him about why he is doing this and taking such drastic measures.

Sadly, your only recourse is going to be to put up some very tall hedges. Or you could parade around naked and really give him something to look at!!

Answer 5

That is not illegal as long as he is not pointing them directly into your house. You may need to look into local building codes and zoneing to see if he can build a fence that high.... I would contact the zoning board and explain the situation. They can tell you more. Personally, I would have fun with it.... Erect a pole. the same height. attach a large piece of plywood to block it. When he moves it, you move it. He will get tired real soon. Another thing that would be funny....erect a tall bird house next to it. Keep lots of food in it. Birds will take roost on it.

Answer 6

Well...here's what I would do...if the cameras are aimed in such a way that your neighbor can "SEE" inside your house...try running around naked in there.....then if he/she says anything take it to court.....charge them with voyeurism

We have a similar situation here im my town....but one neighbor is a nut job....and the other neighbor has had several break ins the the cameras are point at . ... the garage...front door....cars...and out building of the home owner...not the neighbor.

Answer 7

I like the trees idea, you can also point video cameras at him, also set some lights up facing the video cameras and direct light at the cameras in order to make it harder to record because of the bright light, another way is maybe a stretch but if you have young children and he is recording them maybe maybe have a case toward that

Answer 8

My best advice is to consult an attorney in your area who specializes in property law. Many attorneys will provide a free one hour (or so) initial consultation to determine whether you have a case against your neighbor.

Answer 9

If he installs 8 video cameras pointing at your house you should install 9 pointing at his house. When he has 10 you get 11... It worked for the cold war it should work for this.

Answer 10

Moon him; pick your nose alot. Leave the window open when you take a dump.

Erect posters of Margeret Thatcher naked all around your yard. Well, erect is the wrong word, but you get the idea.

He'll get the message and point his cameras elsewhere.