Quote:
Originally Posted by REDVAN
Didn't want to start a completely new thread, but I have a random legal question-
Apparently my neighbors have installed some "security" cameras at their front door, which of course is pointed at mostly my yard. I will take a look around the back and garage tonight to see if there's anything there.
I don't really mind them protecting my yard- since that's like a free security system because if there is ever an issue at my place they'll have it on tape... I just don't want them videotaping us when we're home. We, of course, have not consented to being videotaped, and we are on our own personal property.
What can I do about it... I hope there is a good solution other than calling the cops and/or installing a few ultra bright lights facing directly into their property...
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I happened to be sitting in Justice Chambers one morning a year or so ago, and my case was at the end of list. Just before mine was called, a case involving two unrepresented litigants was called.
The issue was, these neighbours, with homes across the street from each other, had been fighting for years over things like: who parks on the curb in front of whose house, who puts garbage out too early, who is a nuisance due to noise... whose pets are running around, ...and much more.
There were all kinds of accusations going back and forth. It was at times comedic and made me glad I didn't live near them... it was a real, genuine mess.
One of the neighbours set up a camera by their front door. It was aimed directly at the house opposite, but which also was a view of their own entire front yard.
The opposing neighbours wanted the camera removed, because they felt their privacy was being invaded. They said they could no longer feel comfortable opening their front curtains, felt under constant surveillance, etc. they also had some decent evidence that their neighbours had pointed the camera deliberately at their house.
That being said, there had been some car break ins in the area and the homeowners with the camera said they had it pointed at their entire yard and needed to also see where they parked their car, as cars had also been vandalised in the area.
It was one of the few times I sat in chambers watching unrepresented litigants but was truly interested, even though they ended up taking 40 minutes in what was to be a 20 minutes maximum case.
Anyway, in the end the Justice was pretty clear that, as long as there was some legitimate purpose for the camera (filming their own yard) and the camera was on their own land, it was not a nuisance and they could keep the camera there.
Following up to your comment, I would not recommend pointing a light at their house just for the purpose of annoying them. But as this advice is free, its worth exactly nothing.