Security Cameras - Invasion of Privacy?

[Zach Schwarzmiller]

I am debating installing security cameras on my triplex, but am concerned about legal issues. A couple of my concerns are as follows:

- If they malfunction and an incident happens outside my triplex. Am I liable because the victim thought it would be recorded and it was not?

- Is there any invasion of privacy issues associated with this?

I would leave sound recording off but want to monitor video.

My cars along with multiple neighbors cars have been badly keyed recently and I have a very problematic tenant as well.

If anyone has any advise who I could contact in regards to these questions it would be greatly appreciated. I don't see anything about it in the Landlord Tenant Laws, but that does not mean it could still be an issue. My property is located in Snohomish, Snohomish County, Washington State.

Thank You!

[George C.]

Cameras eliminate a lot of headaches. I installed them in a 20+ rooming house I owned, it cut all the childish dumb stuff & thievery out overnight, it was amazing.

I would think it would be pretty hard for anyone who didn't install the cameras to think that the cameras owed a duty to them. Cameras are everywhere today, it's a fact of life if your out on the street. Having them in the common areas of a multi would seem reasonable.

ask an attorney who deals with privacy issues or slip and fall if you want the legal opinion.

[David Turner]

If a broken camera was a liability issue then they wouldn't sell dummy camera's.

There are no privacy issues as long as they are installed in public places. Don't install them in the bathroom, but outside is fair game.

[Zach Schwarzmiller]

Good points thank you. i wonder if dummy cameras and flood lights would do the job just efficiently