I need the images from the security cameras in my condo, can I?

Notice, there are security cameras and images of security cameras in every corner, and condominiums are no different.

 

Unfortunately, the rate of violence has grown considerably and acquiring  security equipment has become a basic action for those seeking personal and property protection, and as a result, keeping all images from security cameras is an act of security for all residents.

 

When it comes to security camera installation in Chicago, it is necessary to pay attention to some rules, in addition to seeking a balance between the security and privacy of apartment owners and employees.

 

The  monitoring system  through security cameras always raises doubts for residents, and among them, the most recurrent one refers to who can access the images.

 

The installation of cameras must be approved by the assembly , considering the level of insecurity in each building and the privacy of residents and employees, so as not to cause embarrassment.

 

The monitoring location should be as appropriate as possible, with  restricted access , aiming at greater control regarding storage and access to recordings.

 

Regarding the location of the cameras, they should be located at  strategic points  in the common areas.

 

Such conduct aims to reduce the possibility of allegations of invasion of privacy or intimacy by the tenants .

 

Thus, the most indicated points are guardhouses, halls, corridors, stairs, service area, elevators, garages, playground, walls, that is, the places of greatest movement, of people and vehicles, in general.

 

 Attention: it is not allowed to monitor bathrooms and changing rooms!

 

Regarding the installation of cameras in the pool area and party room, these are not prohibited, but they are also not recommended.

 

There is no doubt that surveillance cameras help ensure security in condominiums.

 

It turns out that because it is a condominium , mistakenly, most residents believe that images from security cameras are freely accessible to everyone. But they are not!

 

IN PRACTICE, it is up to the receiver to access and  control the monitoring of the cameras , since he is the representative of the condominium.

 

However, it is necessary to be very careful with the storage of the images obtained through monitoring, precisely to preserve the  rights to the image ,  intimacy  and  private life  of the residents.

 

It is necessary to be aware, as our  legislation  is specific about the use of images, therefore, it is not possible for anyone to disclose or have access to such recordings.

 

 How to request access to images from the cameras?

 

Thus, if any resident is interested in obtaining the images from the security cameras, they will have to formally ask   the building administration, specifying the reason.

 

Afterwards, an  assembly  will vote on such access request, which may be denied if the purpose is only the personal reasons of the requesting member.

 

We must always observe that the monitoring through images aims at the  collective interest and security , that is, providing greater security to the tenants.

 

Therefore, the recordings must not be used for personal or private purposes, except for  a court order .

 

Also, if the delegate or competent body requests the images due to a police investigation, the liquidator may assign them.

 

Important : if there is no court order, the condominium is not obliged to yield or even show the images to police officers.

 

In most cases, condominiums do not resist responding to such requests, given that the images from the cameras are very helpful in investigating and solving crimes.

 

Give images by court order: how to proceed?

 

However, it  is recommended  that, when handing over the images to the police authority, without a court order, the receiver make a written statement.

 

This declaration must detail the delivery of the images to the authority, as well as that any exhibition of these will be the sole and exclusive responsibility of the recipient.

 

This is because disclosing images of a person's private life is liable to generate moral damage.

 

See that irresponsible disclosures can cause liability of the condominium, the person who provided the recording and also the person who released the images.

 

 The purpose of the camera system is your own security.

 

The purpose of the camera system is not to monitor tenants but to give them more peace of mind, without putting them in embarrassment.

 

Therefore, the superintendent must have full knowledge about the dissemination of images, managing them responsibly.

 

Therefore, when dealing with matters that do not aim at the safety of residents or solutions to internal problems in the building, access to the images may be denied by the assembly.

 

As for the company to be hired for this home security systems in Chicago, the liquidator must seek a company specialized in the periodic placement and maintenance of the system.

 

In addition, the contracted company must provide signs and notices so that residents and employees know that such an area is monitored.

 

As we have seen, it is not advisable for images from the cameras to be released to residents or third parties, except in cases of extreme need or court order.