Security cameras in the forest

[Shawn]

There are some criminal acts that occur on public lands.

Graffiti is big one. Illegal harvest of trees, plants, wildflowers, wildlife, and artifacts is another.

Some people think public land management should put hidden security trail cams up to detect these sorts of acts. Others feel it violates privacy and harms the natural feeling of the forest.

What do you all think about this pretty controversial topic?

 

[Jeff Ulrich]

Do it if there is a compelling reason like vandalism, looting, or criminal activity. They have them at places like Piney Creek Ravine that has been greatly damaged over the years.

 

[Shawn]

Do it if there is a compelling reason like vandalism, looting, or criminal activity. They have them at places like Piney Creek Ravine that has been greatly damaged over the years.

I agree.

Do it if it's required to mitigate ongoing issues. Don't do it just because you can.

 

[Jeff Ulrich]

Yeah, too much Big Brother now.

On the other hand, security cameras can be useful. My neighbor came over the other day. He lives two doors down from my house, with a house in between that I own, but don't live in. He came to let me know that a hawk had crashed into the picture window of the house in between and broke it!

He had been outside with his family when it happened. At first he thought one of his kids might have done it. He has a security camera and was able to look at the footage and you can see the hawk swooping in and then hear a crash.

Turns out the hawk had grabbed a squirrel from the tree before running into the glass. The hawk took off, but neighbor said it was hanging around in the tree for a while to try to see if it could retrieve its meal. The squirrel was still there on the ground and I thought it was dying. I was about to get a shovel to get rid of it, but suddenly it revived and scampered off up a tree like nothing had happened. I guess it was just stunned.

If it hadn't been for the neighbor and his camera I probably wouldn't have known what happened. I would have thought somebody had thrown something and broke the window.

 

[Shawn]

I work in surveillance. I maintain security cameras and watch them for violations. But it's private sector and there is plenty of warning and notice that they're there.

Nothing is really hidden.