Quickly becoming one of the more popular means of investigation, is the method of using a stationary camera to run surveillance. Capable of being placed for just a few hours, or upwards of a week or more, the stationary camera can be placed in a multitude of locations and setup, giving a good indication of anything occurring at a given location. They can even be setup in conjunction with multiple cameras to show different vantage points, or alongside manned surveillance so that not only can your investigation show clearly what is happening at the home AND what is happening when the individuals leave the area.
Every home or location is different. The setups an investigator uses are dependent on the neighborhood, the speed limit and road it sits on, and on the address itself. There are lots of circumstance that may end up with the conclusion that an investigator is unable to sit in a location where they can record or document activity at the home without making their presence noted. Placing a stationary camera in a concealed location where it draws no attention and gives the uninterrupted video can give you that picture that cannot be obtained by any other means.
They are not without their limitations though, as a single camera may give you a good vantage of the property but may not be able to identify any persons. Combining the camera with a second camera can now show the constant activity in multiple ways. Say you have a property set far back from the street, and your subject parks up near the garage and there is just no way to get a clear image of them through the single camera. Combine the first stationary camera with a vantage of the whole property, with a second stationary camera zoomed in on the garage or front door, and you now have the ID shot you need combined with the footage of their arrival and departure in the vehicle.
For all the good things they can get you at the home though, they still cannot tell you where or what the persons who leaves the home is going. That is why we like to combine our investigation means and run both a stationary camera and manned surveillance whenever possible. Sometimes it makes sense to run it concurrently, but in many situations, we will run one following the other. By placing the camera on location for 3-5 days, you can generally develop a pattern of life at the home. Following that, placing an investigator on site during those likely activity times can document just what is happening away from the location and add to the overall value of the investigation.
Stationary cameras are not limited to their use on private residences though. We have successfully placed them in situations where there is thoughts of medical malpractice or fraudulent billing being done. Using available property and placing the camera in a given situation can show the traffic to and rom a clinic or other given location just as reliably as at a home. Whether it be a single camera, multiple cameras, or a stationary camera placed within a vehicle in a parking lot, there are multiple means to accomplish that task if needed.
While stationary cameras are not invisible, we take great lengths to ensure they are not discovered. We tend to air on the side of caution because of this and not recommend longer than 3-5 days with having the camera in the field. If you believe a stationary camera could aide you with an investigation you have going on, please let us know. We can help talk through whatever you have going on and come up with a solution that can help you answer whatever questions you may have. Whether it be a single