Here's the scenario: A family homeschools. Their neighbor disagrees with homeschooling & feels the kids should not be out playing during 'school hours'. He proceeds to set up a camera on his own property posed at the family's backyard to film the children. The police are called & they tell the neighbor the family is doing nothing wrong in homeschooling their children & inform him that they can play outside any time they want. They also tell the family that since the camera is on his own property, it's completely legal & they can't make him take it down. That's just really creepy to me. The idea of a neighbor creating his own little library of your kids at play in their own backyard?? Seems there would be SOME provisions in place to prevent that sort of thing.
That is just too weird. I would be so creeped out if a neighbor started filming my kids or my property. Freddy is retired from law enforcement and he said in our state, NC, there is no law against such a thing. He did say there might be a chance of stopping it if the person had a criminal history that involved children. Scary.
Seems like that would be harassment if he was filming under aged kids. Sounds like Creepy Uncle Syndrome!
We'd be going to the parks instead of the backyard. If we stayed in backyard, I'd make sure that I have Fido back there with us.
I know that when I student taught (many moons ago), you had to have parental permission to video tape your class. So, when I needed to tape myself teaching for my advisor to review with me, all of the kids had to have their parents say it was ok. I'd consult a lawyer. What if he posted those images on line? Does he have that right? Could he post them online with your address? I can't believe that with all the child protection laws that he could aim a camera permanently at your property.
Alice has a good idea- get a lawyer. I can't believe a nut can tape your kids like that! That one little girl in California was watched with binoculars trained right on her backyard before the pervert kidnapped her from her room, raped her, killed her and dumped her in the desert!! He was the one that rode around with her in his RV before he dumped her in the desert. I think her name was Danielle Van Damm. I wouldn't sit still for this, and I hope you keep us posted.
One time someone drove by my house with a camera hanging out their car window taking pics with my kids in the front yard. As soon as I saw them I started toward the street to get their lisc. #. I called the sheriff, didn't have the lisc. # so they said they could not do anything.
I have gems for neighbors, praise the Lord! However, a guy did drive up to my house and took pics of my kids. My kids ran as fast as they could to get inside. The guy drove off and didnt' stop. I grabbed my camera and tried to find him....I was going to take a pic of his plates. lol. Anyway, I didn't find him and the cops obviously couldn't do a thing. The one cop tried to tell me it may have been a city auditor....but changed his mind when I told him the guy only stopped by my house. Weird...who will ever know what that was about.
I think I would have a video camera trained on him at all times. And if that didn't work, maybe a new sprinkler system with out of place sprinklers to give him a little shower every now and then and oops it hit the camera and fried it, darn! I can be mean when it comes to protecting my babies!
I know last year, there was a man that was taking pictures of children in public places and posting them on a website for people to "get off" on. There was nothing that could be done. I think the same idea applies here.
Is the family HSLDA? If so, I would call and ask them if there was anything that could be legally done to stop them. Sounds like harassment at the very least.
Oh, no! I cannot believe I was thinking this same thing as I was reading the OP! However, I try the cookie approach first: bake some cookies and have your entire family, including husband, go over to hand them to him with nice friendly smiles. My grandfather always said to kill them with kindness. If that does not work in a day or two then I would probably put up a flag or hang something on a clothesline on my own property to block the camera every day, while I continue to smile and wave at him every time I see him.
Ok, this is kinda creepy. first I might check out the sex offender website. THEN I would send dh over to talk. We have found that usually, if we have a difficulty with the neighbor, actually talking to them makes a world of difference. Also I think men in general tend to be much more confrontational when there is no actual confrontation. And if that doesn't work I like the cookie, ex-lax and/or the flag idea. (although the sprinklers is attractive too.)
I say too that it is very weird and I would be VERY uncomfortable with it! I love all the CREATIVE suggestions in dealing with it! lOL!
If I were them I wouldn't waste my time on any sort of "revenge." I would ignore the man. Time that is spent thinking about what to do could be better spent homeschooling their kids. They are doing nothing wrong, and should continue on like nothing is wrong. No one has the right to take away your rights in your own home. You should not feel like you can't let your kids go out and play. Flourishing and Prospering is the best revenge. As the kids get older and smarter the man will eventually have to eat his words. And what a sad life he lives if ALL he has to do ALL DAY LONG is make this family wrong for homeschooling their kids! I'm thinking that if he gets nowhere videotaping them eventually he will give it up. I'd be alert (if I was the family) but if they are documenting their progress and the kids are learning...then there's nothing anyone can do! Oh, I might stick a flag or a moveable basketball hoop in the way of the camera tho
