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The dependability and prevalence of video surveillance cameras has increased dramatically in the past decade. Numerous home and business owners have integrated video surveillance cameras into their security systems to ensure safety, crack down on regulations, and catch criminals in the act. Video surveillance is considered covert when the cameras are hidden or aren't identifiable. Video surveillance is largely legal in the United States, as long as it doesn't directly infringe on a person's fourth amendment right to privacy.

Uses of Covert Video Surveillance

"A picture is worth a thousand words". This saying rings true in court. According to a recent study, when a jury is presented with video surveillance footage, it is twice as likely to convict as when not shown video surveillance evidence. The strategic placement of covert video surveillance cameras aid in the detection and prosecution of vandalism, theft, child abuse, elder neglect, stalking, and harassment.

Some of the more common places to use covert video surveillance are homes, casinos, police stations, nursing homes, construction sites, prisons, hospitals and retail stores.

Monitoring the activities of nannies and household help with covert video surveillance cameras is a growing trend. Due to recent advances in technology, cameras are now small enough to be hidden in many home items such as teddy bears, house plants, clocks, and wall paintings.

Video Surveillance Laws

Most video surveillance is legal in the United States. The majority of video surveillance laws concern the invasion of privacy with the use of covert video surveillance. The use of covert video surveillance is particularly controversial in areas in which a high level of personal privacy is expected, such as locker rooms, dressing rooms, bedrooms, and bathroom stalls. There are some general guidelines to follow to ensure the legality of your video surveillance system.

Covert video surveillance is illegal when audio surveillance is also taking place, and if the it is done without the consent of those being monitored and the person being monitored by the video surveillance has a reasonable expectation of privacy.

Covert video surveillance may be illegal when the video surveillance encourages an illegal activity and the subject under video surveillance has a right to counsel, as when being questioned by law authorities and the person in charge of the premises have not given permission for video surveillance.

If you opt to incorporate a covert video surveillance system into your home or business, consult with a lawyer or your local law enforcement agency to ensure your compliance with local, state, and federal video surveillance laws.

Many independent studies in the United States and United Kingdom have suggested that video surveillance acts as a powerful deterrent, stopping crimes before they happen. Studies also show strong evidence that video surveillance systems can be an extremely effective tool in detection and prosecution.

Ralph Winn has over 32 years of experience in the security industry. Throughout his career, he has developed cost effective security programs for numerous small, medium, large commercial and government properties and for many nationally known corporations. http://www.homesecuritystore.com.Jl Audio Vrc

Over the past decade consumers have grown to appreciate a new option in shopping for gifts for Christmas: the internet. Yes, online shopping is here and it is an increasingly important choice for consumers everywhere. Without even leaving your home you can compare products, make purchases, and have gifts sent to your home or directly to your recipients -- fully wrapped at that! Read on and well take a complete look at the many benefits of online Christmas shopping and how you can make this choice work to your advantage.

Comparison Shopping How many times have you been to the store and wondered if the item you were purchasing was cheaper somewhere else? For low cost items this isnt too big of a deal, but if you are buying a television, computer equipment, jewelry, or some other item costing several hundred dollars it could be a significant issue for you. Fortunately, online sites such as Price Grabber, My Simon, BizRate, and NexTag allow you to find just what you want at the lowest possible prices. New technologies that work from your cell phone, such as Frucall, can also help you find the best prices and allow you to place your order immediately. Save money, time, and gas by comparison shopping from your home: no running from store to store in pursuit of finding the best prices.

Best Selection If something is being sold somewhere, likely it is available to you online. From futons to MP3 players and everything in between if it is sold in a store then likely it is also sold online. Even traditional brick and mortar retailers such as Wal-Mart, Nordstrom, and Home Depot know that in order to reach consumers everywhere a significant part of their inventory must be available to you online. If they dont provide this service to you then they fully understand that their competition will and that youll go elsewhere.

Secured Shopping Most identity theft does not occur via the internet, therefore you need not concern yourself with shopping online. Instead, the majority of i.d. thefts occur when you pump your gas and leave your receipts behind or when someone swipes important information from your mailbox. However, to be extra safe, secured shopping sites with the https: address designation ensures that your vital information remains encrypted and out of harms way -- if you still arent certain that a site is secure, you should see a padlock symbol in the bottom right corner of your browsers screen. Importantly, in most cases you can also authorize the online retailer to discard your financial information once your order has been processed a terrific extra security step for you!

Free Shipping Many online retailers will ship Christmas and other seasonal gifts out for free. Generally, a minimum purchase total is required typically $50 or more but that amount isnt hard to reach for most purchases. In some cases a retailer will wrap your gift and enclose a card for a small additional charge. What a great way to shop for the time pressed individual!

Favorable Return Policies - In the early days of online shopping, big concerns were raised about return policies. For instance, just how would you return that expensive digital camera you purchased online? Originally, you may have had to pay for return shipping and you may have been charged a restocking fee. Today, most online retailers have amended their return policies and will allow you to return items to a local store: buy a coffee maker on J.C. Penneys secure website and if you dont like it you can go to the mall and return it at the J.C. Penney store. Of course, you should examine the retailers return policy before you make any purchases online.

Truly, online Christmas shopping is an attractive option if battling for limited mall shopping spaces, dealing with surly sales help, or navigating big crowds has no appeal for you. Apparently, many consumers feel the same way as most online retailers report sales increases at double digit rates while year to year fixed base store sales are growing at a paltry 2 or 3 percent rate. Join the internet shopping revolution and start your online Christmas shopping today!

Copyright 2006 Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer for the Shop for Christmas website: http://www.shop-for-christmas.com Cart Control Golf Remote