Nosey neighbor has installed "TWO" cameras?

Question

After getting caught(by another neighbor) sneaking around in the dark on his property perusing others homes it was made known to all in the area. This guy now has installed cameras on both ends of his house that he controls from inside his home. I have a teenage daughter whose bedroom faces the street and his house. She is very scared knowing this. Is there any laws to protect people from prying eyes with cameras? This is very uncomfortable for the family.

Answer 1

Why not fight fire with fire and give him something to look at? Cover your daughter's windows with posters of _____ (whatever will offend him) so that he can't see her, but can only see the posters.

Build the fence taller.

Put a giant "MY neighbor is a peeping Tom" sign - with arrow - on your lawn. (You'll probably have to order a bunch of these.)

Always fight, never cower.

Answer 2

Have you looked up child sex offenders in your county to make sure he's not on there? That I would do. Every state has a registry and it is usually on the net. Usually on the state police website, I think. Then I would call the local police station and make them aware of this. I would then put a permanent covering over my daughter's window. I would put up a privacy fence if I had to...I did my neighbor from *ell was a dog killer and I wanted mine to live...and not be seen by him...felt like they were watching everything I did. it has been worth the money really! Then if any funny business goes on, I'd also make sure the other neighbor tells what happened to the police, It needs to be documented...that is sometimes the only thing the cops have and it is circumstantial but it adds up to something when something goes wrong..see what I mean. Always document any weird behavior and always keep the police informed. This is scary. I feel for you and will pray for you. good luck.

Answer 3

#1. At night people normally should have their curtains or shades drawn closed. A house lit inside with open view windows is easy prey for people to peep in at you. KEEP THE CURTAINS CLOSED!
#2. Even if you did not have this neighbor - there are other peeping toms who go to different neighborhoods. Sometimes more to scope out what possessions you have so they may steal what goodies you have. KEEP THE CURTAINS CLOSED!
#3. Every citizen has a right to have security cameras if they so choose. These can be outside or inside their own homes. They may not pointed directly at any particular house, but if some houses are in the view of these cameras but not in the sense of targeting any particular house - the person may do so.

My advice - call the police and mention your concerns, let them establish the facts. In the mean time, KEEP THE WINDOWS CLOSED..., at night or when dressing in your rooms. Being the father of a daughter, I understand your concerns - but these are the facts. My daughter had enough sense to keep her shades drawn closed at night or when dressing.

Answer 4

I suspect that he's completely within his rights as long as the camera is on his own property. Presuming your daughter doesn't already have window shades, get some for her, and make sure she uses them, especially at night. Consider putting mylar sun-protection film on the glass of your windows - during the daytime, it acts as a mirror - you can see out, but others can't see in (and it will save a little energy to boot). You should be able to get it at Lowe's, Home Depot, or similar places. The neighbor sounds like a mental case, that's certain.

Answer 5

There are no restrictions for him to have the camera's to patrol his property. If however you could prove he is spying or stalking you or your family thats another thing. Try changing your daughters bedroom and get your own cameras to watch his cameras and perhaps you may be able to video his camera if and when directed into your home. Harassment, stalking, trespass, and a host of other sex crimes may be in order. Check your local penal law via a law library, photocopy or purchase the updated version for less than 20 bucks, it's a good thing to have handy. If all else fails, put a blow up doll in the window and get videos of him taking pictures of that then file a criminal complaint against him. Remember, "We are to be secure in our houses, our papers and our affects." good luk buddy.

Answer 6

I'm afraid if the cameras are on his property he can place them where he wants and view what ever is visible from that vantage point.
I would start by making sure that you have window treatments that do not allow silhouettes.
You could also put security lights on your property that "coincidentally" shine almost totally in the direction of his cameras. This might make it difficult for the cameras to pick up a clear image.
You could also hang a large sign in you window that could say something like, "no one likes you so & so" or, "we all think you're a looser, freak, pervert" or "f***! off so & so".
If he sees that from every direction he might knock this nonsense off. You could activly shun him as well. Behave as though he, his house, his car do not exist. When you look in that direction you see nothing. You do not address him or respond to him.

Answer 7

I don't think there is a law against putting cameras. In public areas, there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. However, I suggest you call the local Sheriff's office's NON EMERGENCY number and discuss with the deputy for your area. Knowing the history of this person, maybe there is something that authority can do. At the least, you should let them know what is going on in your area.

Answer 8

Install thick curtains or shades that completely block any view from the outside. Especially in your daughter's room.

Also, many cities and states have "Peeping Tom" laws that make it illegal to go peering into bedrooms (or anywhere someone may be changing their clothes), even with cameras on private property. Check with your local police department.

Answer 9

Without knowing what state you live in, so that I could help look up privacy laws.
I can only recommend that you put up curtains on your windows.
Perhaps a privacy fence between your two homes.

If it was here in Oregon where I live I would just go over and talk with my neighbor about their new cameras.
Maby he is just installing his own security system.
Maby he is watching for black helicopters.
You won't know if you don't ask him, and you will get better results if you don't begin the questioning as an attack.

Answer 10

Inside of one's own home there is no law being broken if he looks through cameras at the world.

Even pictures of a teenager undressing aren't necessarily illegal to possess. Its not "kiddie porn" if there isn't an overt sexual element. Look all over the Net-- pics of kids in underwear are all over-often in online clothing catalogs.

Don't provide him any "content" and he'll eventually get bored watching your house.

Blinds down--problem solved.

Or conversely... wave and smile and make a big deal out of being on camera. Maybe he'll get embarrassed and look elsewhere.

One other option... Get your own camera and get video of him videoing you. Every time you see his cameras are going, make sure you get your own video. When he watches the video it might scare him into thinking you are gathering evidence to sue or to give to police.

Sorry you have such a creepy neighbor... Good luck.

Answer 11

I would contact your local sheriffs department and find out what the laws are, but my guess is, he is within his rights unless they have reason to believe he is filming your daughter, blatantly. I would say, consider getting her some heavy drapes, or moving her room to another area of the house...perhaps consider revamping the spare room in the basement, etc. for her privacy. It sucks, I know, but there isn't much you can do. In the meantime, I would just ignore the guy. Sounds like a loonie. OR...you could always moon him! ;) Good luck and I'll keep my fingers crossed for you.