SECURITY CAMERAS With Video AND Audio?
News Report
In the spring of 2023, the general manager and board put forth a proposal for the purchase of new security cameras. They were to be located at the Activity Center's exterior and interior spaces, even in meeting rooms. The plan also included upgrading existing cameras located in various positions throughout the facilities and grounds. They proposed buying video cameras that had 'audio' capability.
The word went out from a small team of concerned residents and people responded in mass through calls, letters, emails and presence at meetings. The addition of 'audio' on the cameras felt to them like an invasion of privacy and they questioned its legality in HOA planned communities.
Read the NOTICE below that was distributed with a call to action to the board. The board vote at the March 28th meeting resulted in the decision to not allow the 'audio' capability on the security cameras after all. Residents efforts to speak out helped to change the board's mind and their decision was appreciated.
UPDATE - Jan 2025: Unfortunately we believe nothing has ben done to change out the cameras and we also believe the same audio capability is still in them, which is an infringement of privacy and the AZ one party consent law. And, they are still mounted inside meetings rooms. These cameras should not be pointed towards areas where residents expect reasonable privacy such as bathrooms, locker rooms, and conference or meeting rooms.
NOTICE FROM YOUR FRIENDS & NEIGHBORS
The Association has (42) security cameras within our facilities (as per the GM). At the upcoming Tues. Mar. 28th Board Meeting @ 9AM in the Welcome Center Room 3, the Board will vote on spending $25K to install new security cameras that will record video AND AUDIO in and around the AC building.
It was stated at the 'Study Session' and the 'Chat with the GM' that these cameras will have audio capabilities that can record your conversations.
By posting signs warning of the audio security cameras' presence, they believe that you will be agreeing to having your conversations recorded just by entering the buildings through an 'implied consent''.
According to AZ's 'One-party Consent' law in the US, this technically may not be legal, but the association's attorney has advised the Board this is doable anyway. Meanwhile other attorneys familiar with AZ law and HOAs tell us this is not legal.
The installation of cameras with audio that can record your conversations is simply an invasion of your privacy and an infringement of your freedom of speech, especially when located within your private common HOA areas you pay for though your dues. This is an intrusion that will change your community environment and your sense of privacy and personal space.
Imagine sharing some deep grief, upset, anger or your passwords and financial information or marital issues with a friend while sitting in a common area and it is recorded with the potential for anyone to have access. There is an 'Open Records Law' that could make all recordings open for anyone to see and hear, especially since the Board and GM have now contended that our common spaces are 'public' and therefore NOT PRIVATE.
Will this make us proud of our community when we have to reveal the existence of these audio cameras in all real estate transactions and to our non neighbors, guests and friends? How about when it goes public in the media, will you be proud then? This all sounds creepy and just wrong.
OPINION from a Resident
One of my favorite people left us with one of my favorite quotes... "Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety, deserve neither liberty nor safety." ~ Benjamin Franklin
What have we become that so many are accepting of even video cameras (42 so far) let alone ones that can record private conversations? Cameras in the Views and Pro Shop and at entrances and exits make sense. But are we also to be watched in our buildings by Big Brother all for the sake of 'safety'? And now our GM/BOD seek $27,000 for more cameras for the AC. We keep hearing about a few cups/glasses and toilet paper type of theft. Couldn't we just repurchase those items if the thefts don't stop without spending that kind of money? These spaces in our lovely community are an extension of our homes where we gather to learn and play and exercise together. Why is it okay to have all those cameras there watching us like a prison warden in a jail? A few short years ago many of us would have stood up for our privacy over a little potential security, while now others are worried about "who took that toilet paper, those cups and who made that statement to a monitor or by a staff member." Don't get me wrong - meanness should not be happening.This is still America and freedom of speech should still prevail, the good and the bad. And if we want kindness and respect to win the day, that should start from the top. We can each model and expect that from each other.
Do expensive cameras really add that much value than the words of those involved and the witnesses? Even if a conclusion can't be reached, does that really validate the need for costly cameras that video (and possibly audio) record you every time you are there? What about respectfully asking residents to do the right thing and to be aware and speak up when something goes awry? How did having prying cameras become the answer? I fought the movement to put cameras in our school that I ran years ago when a few wanted them installed. I did not believe that people (little or big) needed that kind of oversight. Yet, here we are in a retirement community and the cameras are everywhere (well, practically). In my opinion, something about this doesn't seem right when you stop and really think about it. The next thing you know someone will want cameras on street corners and maybe in washes or in yards or houses. I wonder if people will ever ask, "When and how did we lose our liberty to gather without being watched or recorded?" But I guess we can hope we'll still have our privy for privacy.