Opinion
Change the law on outdoor video surveillance on your private property
I am petitioning for a change to Virginia’s outdoor video surveillance law on how someone can record your private property.
In my case, I have a neighbor that has an outdoor security camera that records my property. This camera captures my children’s bathroom window and teenager’s bedroom window. Both have curtains but what happens when you open the window and the wind blows the curtain, does this mean my children consented and it’s an open invitation for him to look? I called the Warren County Sheriffs Department who showed me a picture of their footage that clearly is recording the windows. I mean 24/7 recording. However, since they don’t see a zoom feature, there is nothing they can do to make them reposition the camera and the neighbor won’t reposition or move the camera.
I am hoping that we can make a change to this law, especially in situations like this. How can we protect our children’s privacy when the law says this is okay behavior and just accept it? I was very infuriated that this is by law an okay behavior.
This is the worst feeling as a mother when you know someone is watching your children and the law says there’s nothing you can do about it. Even if they could charge him with anything, it would be a misdemeanor; but these are children… the law should be much harsher than a misdemeanor. The only way to possibly get it repositioned or taken down legally is a civil suit.
By law, you cannot install a camera inside a bathroom; so why would it be okay to film the window from outside? Please help to protect our children’s privacy:
Tracey Covarrubias
Warren County, Virginia