**********************
Unusual Camera Requests - What Would You Do?
*********************
    I get many calls a day from alarm dealers asking all kinds of questions - and yes, you're welcome to call too.  Today was a doosey; back to back unusual camera questions.
    The first was whether the alarm company could install cameras in all rooms of a "bachlor pad", including bedroom, bathroom and every other room.  Odd request, especially coming from a successful doctor nearing 80 years old who used the apartment for sex with various women he meets; random encounters.  Apparently after one such encounter, the morming after, the woman demanded $10,000.00 and claimed she would start screaming rape and call the police.  He called her bluff, called the cops who upon arrival escorted the young lady out.  The doctor's private counsel advised installing cameras covering the entire apartment.  The cameras could be visible, not covert.
    The alarm company told the subscriber that its counsel would have to approve [that would be me].  
    What do you think I advised?  [and no it wasn't I'd like to hang out with this guy].  See below for advice.
    Here is the second question.  
    Alarm company was asked to replace cameras in a dressing room.  Bingo, red flags went up, which is why he called in the first place.  Dressing room is in a strip club.  [no, I did not ask for remote access].  Here too the cameras could be visible, not covert.  As you know, dressing rooms are one of the specific places statutes prohibit camera  installation.  So what advice do you think I gave on this one?
*****************
Here's how I considered the two issues and the conclusions and advice I gave.  
    The doctor has a legitimate reason and concern for the camera installation.  The cameras are going to be obvious, not covert.  I know this client uses our Standard Form Agreement.  I told him to write on the contract, either on its face or on the Schedule of Equipment and Services, that "Subscriber has been advised that he may view and record video data of himself and only those who give express written consent".  I did not suggest that the alarm company provide the subscriber with a consent form.  We also agreed it best to leave off the window stickers!
    The dressing room advice was actually easier.  The young ladies had asked for the cameras because there had been multiple thefts of personal property.  The existing cameras were not working and this alarm client would be replacing them.  I told him he could do the work.  I suggested that he recommend to the strip club owner that all employees sign consent forms for the video, but even without that, suggesting he could install obvious cameras, but not covert.
********************