Nosey neighbors' tapes used as evidence

[RocknRollKitty]

I have been seeing something on my local news that is very disturbing to me. Just in the last week, I have seen 2 stories where people were arrested based on nosey neighbor's videotapes. One was a man who put out his trash in the nude, the other was a couple drinking beer in the yard while their young son picks up a gun (but did not shoot it) Now, sure, neither of those things are good. But doesn't it bother you just a bit and make you feel uneasy that some weirdo might be zooming in on your private life, and what they might do with it?

To me, people who do such things are no more than voyeurs, peeping toms, and nosey snoops. Now if it were their own property and they set up a hidden camera to catch crooks breaking in or vandalizing, it would be understandable. But sitting around filming the neighbors is to me the worst kind of 'invasion of privacy' and I cannot believe the cops are using this as evidence to charge people! I thought such things were inadmissable in court? What's the world coming to, are we not safe anywhere?

 

[A_Wanderer]

Must be RTWS (Reality Television Withdrawl Syndrome).

 

[RocknRollKitty]

That could have something to do with it, seriously. Personal videotape recorders have been popular and common since the late 80's, yet I have never heard of this happening before this month. It's chilling to think that nosey neighbors' gossip will take on a sinister new chapter!

 

[BVS]

Well look at the Rodney King tapes...

America's funniest home videos, reality tv, all these hidden camera shows we're a society obcessed with voyerism. Now with the camera phones and video phones we're going to see a lot more. So watch you're back. We use to think "big brother" was going to be the problem, not's it's our neighbors.

 

[Kieran McConville]

Well, this is what you get when you encourage paranoia. Look on the bright side, as long as you live a completely middle-of-the-road and conventional lifestyle, you're in no immediate danger.

 

[Rono]

Put out the trash in the nude I think that this homevideo maker should be arrested for making porn.


Can those video makers not be sued for invading privacy ?

 

[Moonlit_Angel]

People really need to learn to mind their own beeswax. The only time it's worth getting involved is if people's lives are in danger.

Angela

 

[BostonAnne]

Ithe other was a couple drinking beer in the yard while their young son picks up a gun (but did not shoot it)

This sort of freaks me out. Why the heck does anyone have a gun lying around for a child to find? It sounds like this child might have been in danger.

 

[Liesje]

Re: Re: Nosey neighbors' tapes used as evidence

This sort of freaks me out. Why the heck does anyone have a gun lying around for a child to find? It sounds like this child might have been in danger.

...or even worse, someone else's child. My family has lots of guns, everyone but me owns more than one and has since childhood, but we were raised hunting and fishing and know how to use, clean, and store a gun. My dad would completely go nutso when we left guns or bows anywhere that the neighbor kids or friends could find, either outside, in the garage, or in our house. It's so stupid to just leave things like that lying around, even if YOUR kids know what (not) to do with them. Those people deserve to be brought to court AND ridiculed on the primetime news!

 

[nbcrusader]

Our "right of privacy" is our window blinds. If we choose to act in the open, we cannot do so with the expectation of privacy as a right.

 

[Kieran McConville]

What, not even in your front yard? Surely this isn't so much about privacy (in the sense of not being seen at all) as about privacy in the sense of not getting reported to the police for putting out your garbage. Let's not forget that there were two examples given. One admittedly involved some dodgy stuff with a gun, and one involved a guy putting out his rubbish with no clothes on. Maybe he just got out of the shower. It's hardly a crime.

 

[Basstrap]

public indecency, I guess
wouldn't fly in most european countries.

And it's just as well...we we'ren't born with cloths on were we? Though , I admit that I was born with a pair of cleats on.
All the same, nature shouldn't be illegal.

I suppose

 

[Kieran McConville]

Nature vs. nurture - the great debate!

 

[Moonlit_Angel]

What, not even in your front yard? Surely this isn't so much about privacy (in the sense of not being seen at all) as about privacy in the sense of not getting reported to the police for putting out your garbage. Let's not forget that there were two examples given. One admittedly involved some dodgy stuff with a gun, and one involved a guy putting out his rubbish with no clothes on. Maybe he just got out of the shower. It's hardly a crime.

Exactly.

Angela

 

[RocknRollKitty]

Re: Re: Nosey neighbors' tapes used as evidence

This sort of freaks me out. Why the heck does anyone have a gun lying around for a child to find? It sounds like this child might have been in danger.

I'm sure he was, but if these people really gave a damn, WHY DIDN'T THEY just run straight over there and grab the gun, or at least yell "hey" to the parents? Did they realize the kid could have pulled the trigger and killed himself while they were filming, or even worse, running to get the camera? That's what reeks of nosiness and cheap thrills to me. Seems they were more interested in the show, seeing the story on the news, and getting the neighbors in trouble than the child's safety.

As for the naked guy, I also think that was nosiness and filmed for cheap thrills. They had to have seen him do it before to have been ready with the camera. They probably even laughed when they saw it! He wasn't hurting anyone. If they had a problem with his public display, they could have spoken to him in private and asked him not to do it, or even threatened him with the cops first. But sneaking around with the camera is nosey and low.

In both cases, I have a feeling that there may have been a history of bad blood between these people, and the 'filmmakers' used it for revenge or something

It is very scary to think this could become a trend and everyone has to fear being filmed in their own yard! What's next, zooming in through the windows?

 

[verte76]

I hate it when people aren't careful with their guns! One of the worst experiences I ever had was at least partially because someone was careless with a gun. His son, who I was doing group therapy with--this was years ago--committed suicide using the gun. He knew the guy had problems and was what we commonly call "at risk", and yet he was careless with his gun. It was devastating.

 

[Moonlit_Angel]

Re: Re: Re: Nosey neighbors' tapes used as evidence

I'm sure he was, but if these people really gave a damn, WHY DIDN'T THEY just run straight over there and grab the gun, or at least yell "hey" to the parents? Did they realize the kid could have pulled the trigger and killed himself while they were filming, or even worse, running to get the camera?

Very good point. Good questions...yeah, if I saw a kid holding a gun, my first thought definitely wouldn't be, "Oh, let's go get the camera, hehe!"

Originally posted by RocknRollKitty
That's what reeks of nosiness and cheap thrills to me. Seems they were more interested in the show, seeing the story on the news, and getting the neighbors in trouble than the child's safety.

Yeah. That's kinda sick.

Angela

 

[RocknRollKitty]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Nosey neighbors' tapes used as evidence

Very good point. Good questions...yeah, if I saw a kid holding a gun, my first thought definitely wouldn't be, "Oh, let's go get the camera, hehe!"



Yeah. That's kinda sick.

Angela

Exactly!

 

[nbcrusader]

You are assuming that the neighbors are actively watching their camera monitors. It is far more likely that they saw this on videotape after the incident, and reported it to the authorities.

 

[RocknRollKitty]

I think you give people too much credit I saw the kid/gun footage on the news. The only thing being filmed was these people's yard, and the child holding the gun was zoomed in on. This was NOT an incidental in the background thing at all. As for the naked man, the neighbors ADMITTED waiting to film him and 'catch him in the act' with the camera after he had been observed several times taking out the trash and getting his paper naked.

 

[Liesje]

If my neighbor took out his trash in his birthday suit, I'd send it to Funniest Home Videos, not the police! (then you could potentially win money).

 

[sue4u2]

I caught part of the news this morning and this couple's children have been removed. There was also a rifle leaning up aganist the truck next to where the child was playing with the hand gun. I don't care how much one has been around guns it is never safe to leave gun's around where they wind up in the hands of a child this young.
This guy going out to get his paper and take out the trash in the nude is HIM getting cheap thrills. What about children in the neighborhood? Nah can't let that happen - I'd call the cops too.
I have 2 young granddaughters I would be horrified if he came trotting out with nothing on and my gd's were looking out the window or out playing. Just my opinion, of course.

 

[RocknRollKitty]

I'm not saying the guy should not have been turned in, I'm saying that sneaking around with cameras spying on people is to me as bad as going outside naked. If they really were so concerned aobut little kids seeing him, why not just go talk to him about it? He'd probably be so embarrassed he was seen he'd never do it again. If he became rude or defiant, then call the cops. But don't do it first, behind his back. That stinks

 

[sue4u2]

I see your point. Alot of people just want to bust someone. I still have to say however, I would not be comfortable approaching someone who isn't embarrassed about walking around outside in the nude. Maybe write him a note and leave it in his mail box, with pics. Let him know he's been seen & warned.

 

[RocknRollKitty]

Yes I guess confronting him would be scary and embarrassing! If I couldn't get someone to confront him, the note, or even a letter in the mail is a good idea. Let him know he's been warned. A warning is good for anybody. Most people, if threatened with the law and given a chance will not do it again anyway. That's why I honestly believe the people who go behind backs, film, etc. are more in to 'nail' someone they probably don't like, or get the thrill of seeing 'their' video on the news more than out of honest concern for the person.

Here's another one that upset me. A mom who had just split with her husband and was starting her very first day on the job and living in a new neighborhood was unable to find a sitter on short notice and in fear of losing her job, which she needed after her husband ditched her, was forced to leave her 5 year old daughter home alone that day. She told her to watch TV and not answer the door and the girl felt very grown up and said it would be fun. Well, come about 2 or 3 in the afternoon, the girl freaked out, opened the door and cried out to all on the street how scared and alone she was and how much she missed her mommy! A few neighbors saw this, and the first thing they did was call the cops. Then they all got on the evening news being interviewed! I'm a star now! The mother was ashamed and humilated, and arrested as soon as she got home. She was jailed, seen on the news in handcuffs, and lost her new job. The little girl was taken away, which I'm sure was traumatic for her after her parent's divorce. Here again, I say, if they REALLY CARED about the kid and the situation, they could have taken the girl to their house, or at least sat with her at the door until her mother arrived, then tell the mother the story and warn her if it happens again, the welfare will be called. Perhaps one of those 'TV star' neighbors could even have offered to become the new babysitter for a price, they obviously haven't got anything else to do. It is sad that one mistake can totally ruin the lives of a person and a child like that, is it really the best thing? I think there are other ways. I think people who are nosey and turn people in without at least telling them or warning them first only want the excitement of it and are not as 'concerned' as they'd like you to believe.

 

[RocknRollKitty]

Oh, so the nosey busybody made the Today show! That's how you saw it, Sue, I didn't know until late last night. I actually live in the city where the incident occured and had no idea it made the national news. Guess I was right about the "TV star" thing

On the show, she was questioned about just what I said, WHY didn't she just take the gun instead of filming? The kid could have shot himself while she was wasting time with the camera. She claimed if she had 'run barreling across the yard screaming' he might have shot her and she was scared! She still could have walked and talked slowly, or, best of all, walked to the parents and alerted them to take it away. The fact that she didn't makes me more convinced than ever that she didn't like the neighbors anyway and wanted to get them in trouble, and wanted to be on TV, and both of these were more important than the kid's safety.

 

[Liesje]

Here again, I say, if they REALLY CARED about the kid and the situation, they could have taken the girl to their house, or at least sat with her at the door until her mother arrived, then tell the mother the story and warn her if it happens again, the welfare will be called.

This sounds like a nice thing to do, but I think if I were in the same situation, I would've called child protective services first as well. These days you just can't be "alone" with kids not your own anymore. You get accused of abusing or molesting them, etc, etc. My bf plays basketball at a park in one of the shittier places in town and he told me he had given rides to some boys who were there. He said he'd rather go out of his way and make sure they were home safe and not out on the streets than leave them there. I told him that it's a very nice thing to do, but to some people, offering rides to young boys just does not go over well. It's sad that we can't protect ourselves from false accusation when all we want to do is help someone. When my brother was a newborn, my mom took him back to the hospital b/c he stopped crying. He almost died and they were going to call protective services b/c they thought my mom had been irresponsible with him or wanted him to die.

You don't leave a 5 year old at home alone for even 2 minutes, you just don't. I don't have kids yet, but when I nannied, there was a three year old who prefered to play outside by herself and even though she wasn't my child, I could barely let her out of my sight for a minute before feeling panic that she was lost or kidnapped or hurt.

I agree, taping things is kinda dumb, but I think in cases where a child's life is in danger, the ends justify the means. Those parents deserve to be caught and punished even if they were "caught" by a low-life with nothing better to do than tape neighbors. There's nothing illegal about taping people out in public, even if it's weird. Guns need to be locked in their proper cabinets and 5 year olds need to be watched at all times, period.

 

[RocknRollKitty]

But turning people in is so extreme. Once the 'authorities' get into someone's life, it's ruined. That woman was only going to leave her alone one day, now she's lost her child, her job, and her home for one stupid mistake. While I do agree you have to be so careful with other people's kids these days and not take them to your house or get accused of something yourself, there was something else they could have done. I'm sure the mother must have left the girl a phone number, they could have called her, or at least had someone (there were plenty of nosey women on the news telling this story, they could have taken turns!) sitting with the child on the porch, talking through the door until Mom got home.


Same thing with the gun. The nosey woman should have gone straight over and pointed this out to the parents so they could take the gun away. Having now seen the longer version of the tape I find it hard to believe anyone stood there that long just filming and not acting! I was so glad to hear people all over the country agreed with me. Like I say, that is my town, and I know how people are around here. She didn't care about the kid as much as ha ha, I got them busted. People do vindictive things like that to neighbors they don't like. I see it all the time. While it is not illegal to film in public, I was under the impression that tapes made under such circumstances were not admissible in court and could not be used as evidence under the law.

Looks like our naked garbage man didn't hit the national news yet

 

[Liesje]

But turning people in is so extreme. Once the 'authorities' get into someone's life, it's ruined. That woman was only going to leave her alone one day, now she's lost her child, her job, and her home for one stupid mistake.

But it only takes one day, or just a few minutes, for the child's life to be ruined. She could've been kidnapped, wandered out and got lost, burned herself on the stove, drowned in the bathtub, fallen and seriously hurt herself, etc, etc. When the one stupid mistake you make directly endangers someone's life, there are going to be consequences. There HAD to have been another alternative rather than leaving the child home alone all day. I can barely stand to leave my CAT home along all day, let alone a child! That's just horrible. I won't even leave kids in the car to pay for gas anymore.

 

[RocknRollKitty]

IF something had happened, but it didn't. She lost her child, her job, her home, and it was only for one day! I don't think the punishment suited the crime at all. To me there would have to be a history first. Think too how traumatic being taken away from the mother had to be, especially after the recent uprooting of her life and her father going away. Then all the money the lady must have had to pay for lawyers, and not having a job! Then it's on both their records the rest of their lives, the stigma, the humiliation and all. No, they'd both have been better off without the trouble.

To make it worse, I've seen people do worse things, like leave the baby in the carseat and go into work claiming they 'forgot' to drop it off at daycare until it died of heat stroke, and they get off scot free as a 'tragic mistake'