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CAMERAS TO MONITOR DISABLED CHILD
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Ken,
    I have a client husband and wife, who would like to have some cameras installed in their home to monitor their physically and mentally handicapped daughter, as well as their daughter's caregiver,  to ensure daughter's safety, while they work outside the home. One of these cameras, in the basement, will require audio. They are willing to sign the appropriate documents to get it done. 
Question#1, Can it be done? 
Question #2, Who needs to sign contract/agreement and disclaimer notice? Both husband and wife? Caregiver?     I prefer to remain
anon
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RESPONSE
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    This question ties in nicely with yesterday's article, which I wrote before getting this question.  The simple answer is, yes, it can be done.  There are some considerations however.  You don't mention whether the cameras and audio will be covert or obvious.  You don't advise whether the care givers have given written consent to the cameras and audio.  Certainly if the care givers do give consent that solves a number of issues.  
    Even without consent I believe the parents can install the cameras and audio in their home.  They can consent on behalf of their disabled child.  Furthermore, even though the statutes don't provide for this exception, the reasonable best interests of the child are going to be the paramount consideration.  
    As yesterday's article and summary of the court case focused on, the answer is going to depend on what video or audio data is captured and how is it being used.  Some data can be recorded and used with impunity, which means you and the parents won't be [or shouldn't be] arrested for delivering the tape to police, or the care giver's agency.  
caretaker viewed abusing the child
caretaker audio recorded abusing the child
    But even if there was a legitimate reason for the cameras and audio, misuse of the data will subject the parents and possibly the installer to civil and criminal liability.  Any data that doesn't deal directly with the child's best interests should not be disseminated for any purpose.  You see something funny, crude, sexual, that doesn't belong on UTube.  Shouldn't be used to blackmail the caregiver or agency.  Maybe one test should be that if you're not going to be turning it over to the police then don't use it at all.  
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COMMENT ON ADDING VoIP TO YOUR RMR FROM APRIL 7, 2016 ARTICLE
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Ken
    I do not agree….VoIP may be an alternative to POTS, but it is not the best, unless teamed with cellular communication because, as we all know,
    There are a host of reasons why Internet communication is problematic….loss of power, gateway, ISP service, etc. among the countless ways in which we all temporarily lose Internet service all the time.
Jack Shore
Keystone Security Systems
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RESPONSE
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    Jack, I am not sure what you disagree with.  My article was about an opportunity to increase your RMR by offering VoIP service.  I can't argue that cable goes down much more often than POTS.  I can't argue that cellular is more reliable than VoIP [except MY cellular, which stinks].  I guess the guys at MongoTel should respond to the technical aspects of your remarks.  But let me respond to the business end, because that's really what I was addressing in my article.
    Start with the proposition that you're in the RMR business.  You should be looking for ways to increase RMR related to your security and integration business.  Offering VoIP service [I think MongoTel is really primarily for commercial subscribers - and I do have friends in business who have recently switched to VoIP for their business because of the features VoIP offers}.  Suggesting that cellular is more reliable for alarm signal communication may be correct, but can you capitalize on cellular by offering that service and increasing your RMR?  MongoTel provides the actual phone equipment and VoIP service, charges a monthly fee for usage, and pays the alarm company a monthly fee for each customer.  I don't know if MongoTel is the only VoIP company offering the service, but it's the only VoIP service that has approached me that is offering its service exclusively through alarm companies, permitting them to increase their RMR.  That's why I have made its service known on this forum.  [no kick backs offered ---- yet !!].   
    The next issue is that POTS is expiring.  We know that.  Some manner of communication is going to have to take its place.  I am not technical and I know that we use to claim that VoIP was incompatible with alarm service.  I am not so sure that's the case now.  Manufacturers are offering security equipment that works with VoIP communication.  I can't say what the future holds for communication.  Perhaps cellular will replace POTS, but it appears that VoIP is one acceptable means of communication, even for security equipment.  My article of course addressed the RMR opportunity, not the technology or its alternatives.  Perhaps MongoTel will follow up with some reassuring information on the technical end, why VoIP is likely to be the best solution to outgoing POTS service, at least for commercial accounts.  I know that I have POTS and cellular back up at my home, and at the office we have cable service.  But I my cable service does not offer the same features as a VoIP service, though MongoTel is in a better position to explain that.  For one thing, I know I can't call from outside my office and have it appear that I am in my office.  
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