Government Cameras Hidden on Private Property? Welcome to Open Fields

[crimsonaudio]

Land of free? Not really. SMH

Government Cameras Hidden on Private Property? Welcome to Open Fields

Can the government place cameras and monitoring equipment on a private citizen’s land at will, or conduct surveillance and stakeouts on private land, without probable cause or a search warrant? Indeed, according to the U.S. Supreme Court’s (SCOTUS) interpretation of the Fourth Amendment. Welcome to Open Fields.

The vast majority of Americans assume law enforcement needs a warrant to carry out surveillance, but for roughly a century, SCOTUS has ruled that private land—is not private. Fourth Amendment protections against “unreasonable searches and seizures” expressed in the Bill of Rights only apply to an individual’s immediate dwelling area, according to SCOTUS.

 

[Crimson1967]

It said the cameras disappeared a couple days after he noticed them. Sounds like Big Brother saw his mug on video and decided to move them before he blasted them with his shotgun.

This is wrong. They have no right to go on his land without a warrant.

 

[Im_on_dsp]

I would have just taken out the SIM and SD cards and attached them to the tree right next to the camera, rendering them non-functional until someone came back out and plugged them back in. That way I couldn't be accused of stealing or destroying anything. If they came back out and plugged them in I would continue to take them out.

 

[BamaFlum]

I would have just taken out the SIM and SD cards and attached them to the tree right next to the camera, rendering them non-functional until someone came back out and plugged them back in. That way I couldn't be accused of stealing or destroying anything. If they came back out and plugged them in I would continue to take them out.

Or put up targets close to the cameras and take some target practice and whoops miss!

 

[TIDE-HSV]

I would have just taken out the SIM and SD cards and attached them to the tree right next to the camera, rendering them non-functional until someone came back out and plugged them back in. That way I couldn't be accused of stealing or destroying anything. If they came back out and plugged them in I would continue to take them out.

Pay attention to "a"...

Code of Alabama

 

[crimsonaudio]

I would have just taken out the SIM and SD cards and attached them to the tree right next to the camera, rendering them non-functional until someone came back out and plugged them back in. That way I couldn't be accused of stealing or destroying anything. If they came back out and plugged them in I would continue to take them out.

I've thought about it - I'd likely scout the area to make sure I knew where all the cameras were then approach them from the rear and remove the SIM cards (while wearing gloves). Dispose of the SIMs and deny any knowledge of their existence.

That or just cut them off the tree and leave them by the base, facing the sky or the ground.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

I've thought about it - I'd likely scout the area to make sure I knew where all the cameras were then approach them from the rear and remove the SIM cards (while wearing gloves). Dispose of the SIMs and deny any knowledge of their existence.

That or just cut them off the tree and leave them by the base, facing the sky or the ground.

Well, you're just talking about how not to get caught. I was just pointing out that the law does provide a penalty, if you do get caught. If they get damaged, then you've go another charge...

 

[TexasBama]

I've thought about it - I'd likely scout the area to make sure I knew where all the cameras were then approach them from the rear and remove the SIM cards (while wearing gloves). Dispose of the SIMs and deny any knowledge of their existence.

That or just cut them off the tree and leave them by the base, facing the sky or the ground.

That, or do the macarena while nude in front of the camera

 

[crimsonaudio]

Well, you're just talking about how not to get caught. I was just pointing out that the law does provide a penalty, if you do get caught. If they get damaged, then you've go another charge...

Bingo.

Of course, if there are no markings on the camera whatsoever, I don't see how you can be charged with damaging government property - the natural assumption would generally be it was a rogue hunter.

But yeah, I'd not get caught. If they don't catch you and you aren't in possession of the camera when the jack-booted thugs come to your door, good luck making anything stick.

 

[crimsonaudio]

That or hang a sign blocking the entire view in front of the camera saying "get off my property".

Or the old 80's movie trick:

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Bingo.

Of course, if there are no markings on the camera whatsoever, I don't see how you can be charged with damaging government property - the natural assumption would generally be it was a rogue hunter.

But yeah, I'd not get caught. If they don't catch you and you aren't in possession of the camera when the jack-booted thugs come to your door, good luck making anything stick.

Actually, GSA regs require that government property be clearly marked as such. I ran into this recently on the custodial contract for Redstone. A new "auditor" misread both the contract and the DFARs and thought he could make us inventory all of the property used in the contract as GFP. (Actually, the only GFP was consumables, IOW TP, paper towels, etc.) Our government services VP invited him to tour one building and point out the property clearly marked as US-owned. Of course, he couldn't find any. I'd be willing to bet these cameras are clearly marked as "Property of the United States Government." They're probably painted OD. At any rate, I'd be extremely careful about messing with it...

 

[crimsonaudio]

At any rate, I'd be extremely careful about messing with it...

Yeah, I'm just saying that if they put them on my property (they wouldn't where I live now) I'd take action. I wouldn't broadcast it, of course, but they would find these cameras falling off the trees at an astonishing rate.