Bruce Mandelblit
Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2002

Have you ever wondered, in your place of employment or at the local shopping mall, if you were being watched? Even if there were no cameras visible, would it still be possible for you to be under video surveillance?

The answer is an astounding yes!

In the mail today I received a remarkable catalog. It is a catalog of amazing covert video cameras, some about the size of a quarter.

As I thumbed through the catalog, each page brought to my attention another ingeniously disguised video camera. In this column, I will share with you some of the most covert and hidden video surveillance cameras I discovered.

Quick Security Tip: If you are interested in any types of covert cameras, be sure to check and comply with all applicable local, state and federal laws and regulations regarding these kinds of devices.

• Next time you are at work or shopping, perhaps you should take a second look at the water sprinkler in the ceiling. It just might be a covert video camera.

• Are you safe in the dark? With new video technology, secret cameras may have infrared LEDs, invisible to the human eye, which will allow it to "see" in many low-light or no-light conditions.

• What time is it? Even that wall clock you are looking at may have a pinhole video camera watching you.

• How's this for being sneaky? Guess what – that smoke detector might just be a covert video camera too!

• They even have a secret video camera integrated into a portable, fully functional AM/FM radio. And look out, they also make a clock radio version of this covert camera.

• Another truly amazing video camera looks just like a floodlight bulb. In fact, it can be screwed into any standard light socket for immediate use.

• They now can integrate secret video cameras in building emergency lights and even emergency exit signs.

• They even make a covert picture camera that hides a tiny concealed lens in the eye of a drawing of a fish. How's that for being fishy!

• For concealed video cameras that fit perfectly in an office environment, they have a camera that is designed to look like a speaker you might find in an acoustic drop ceiling. Plus they now have fully functional computer speakers that hide a video camera. Even more astonishing, this digital covert camera can record video directly to the hard drive of the computer for later viewing.

• Is the air stuffy? Don't worry. Inside this working air purifier is a high-quality pin camera.

• What about a hidden video camera in a VCR? Yes, that is on the market today.

• That lamp on that table? It just might house a high-resolution covert camera.

• Is the room too cold? Be alert, because that wall thermostat may have an integrated secret camera.

• See that innocent-looking birdhouse in the yard? It just might contain a high-resolution color camera.

• They even have tiny cameras that are hidden in cellular telephones, calculators, books, briefcases, ball caps, pagers, cigarette packs, eyeglasses – and even neckties!

So, next time you see a fire sprinkler, an emergency exit sign, a smoke detector, an air purifier, or even a birdhouse, be sure to take a second or even a third look – you just might be on camera! ******

Copyright 2002 by Bruce Mandelblit.

"Staying Safe"with Bruce Mandelblit is a regular column for the readers of NewsMax.com and NewsMax.com Magazine.

Bruce welcomes your security, safety and crime prevention questions. He will answer questions of general interest in his column. Bruce's email address is: CrimePrevention123@yahoo.com.

Bruce is a nationally known security specialist, as well as a highly decorated reserve Law Enforcement Officer.

Bruce writes Staying Safe, a syndicated weekly column covering the topics of security, safety and crime prevention.

Bruce was recently commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel -- the state's highest honor -- by Governor Paul E. Patton -- for his public service.

This column is provided for general information purposes only. Please check with your local law enforcement agency and legal professional for information specific to you and your jurisdiction.

Copyright 2002 by Bruce Mandelblit

"Staying Safe" with Bruce Mandelblit is a regular column for the readers of NewsMax.com and NewsMax.com magazine.

Bruce welcomes your security, safety and crime prevention questions. He will answer questions of general interest in his column. Bruce's e-mail address is CrimePrevention123@yahoo.com.

Bruce is a nationally known security specialist, as well as a highly decorated reserve Law Enforcement Officer.

Bruce was recently commissioned as a Kentucky Colonel – the state's highest honor – by Gov. Paul E. Patton for his public service.

This column is provided for general information purposes only. Please check with your local law enforcement agency and legal professional for information specific to you and your jurisdiction.

A product that might interest you:
No kidding: 5 cents a minute long distance - all day, every day!