In this day and age, having security cameras isn’t just something for businesses, universities and government buildings to consider. They’ve become extremely accessible, and it’s not a bad idea to have them on your property in case packages get stolen, an intruder breaks in or a neighbor decides to incite a turf war.

One man recentlyreached outto Reddit seeking legal advice after a neighbor decided that she needed to installsecurity camerasto keep an eye on his home. Below, you’ll find the full story, as well as a conversation between the author andBored Pandaand some of the replies invested readers shared.

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It’s common for homeowners to install security cameras to keep an eye on their property

White fence casting shadows on grass, separating houses in a neighborhood with green trees and blue skies.

Image credits:mark (not the actual photo)

But this man wasn’t comfortable with his neighbor’s cameras being pointed directly at his home

Image source:could-be_worse

Security camera mounted under the roof, pointing towards house windows, with trees visible in the background.

Image credits:Mary Oakey (not the actual photo)

After receiving no help from the police, the homeowner shared an update on the situation

Story about unhinged neighbor pointing surveillance cameras at windows, with a vulgar sign in the yard.

Text discussing city dispute over neighbor’s cameras pointed at windows.

Text about a neighbor pointing cameras causing privacy concerns at home.

Text reads frustration over unhinged neighbor pointing cameras at windows, police unresponsive, considering self-action.

Text describing encounter with neighbor’s cameras pointed at windows.

A woman looking frustrated, speaking on the phone, holding a package, with an unhinged neighbor issue involving cameras at windows.

Image credits:Getty Images (not the actual photo)

Finally, the man shared another update detailing how he plans to fight back against his neighbor

Text about an unhinged neighbor allegedly pointing cameras at windows and a DIY solution to block them.

Text from a story about neighbors dealing with a difficult situation involving window cameras.

Text from a story about a neighbor’s reaction and police involvement.

Text detailing a dispute with an unhinged neighbor over cameras pointed at windows; police advise legal action.

Text explaining legal boundaries for neighbor pointing cameras at windows.

Police officers standing by a patrol car, discussing a situation related to an unhinged neighbor story.

Image credits:Erik Mclean (not the actual photo)

Text detailing a man’s response to a neighbor pointing cameras at his windows, involving court discussions and camera removal.

Text from a story about a neighbor’s cameras and a petition to shut down a VRBO due to concerns.

“She doesn’t seem to be in a good place right now, and I think she needs help”

Woman sitting outdoors, wearing striped shirt and jeans, next to backpack, concerned expression; crazy neighbor story context.

To find out more about this situation, we reached out to the Reddit user who shared this story,Could-be_worse. He was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and reveal what his relationship with this neighbor was like prior to this drama unfolding.

“I met her briefly around a year and a half ago. She was completely fine at the start, and I had helped her with some yard work a couple times,” the author shared. “It seemed like we were on great terms.”

However, about 6 months ago, the OP says he witnessed her getting into a physical fight with another neighbor. “Which was shocking, but I later found out it was a fairly regular thing for her,” Could-be_worse shared. “Two to three months ago, I said good morning before leaving for work, and she just blew up.”

“She got up into my face screaming about the fence being hers. I told her to show me the land survey, and her only response was ‘her pipes run under it,'” the author continued. “I’m still not 100% certain why she’s so hostile about it, but I believe it’s untreated mental illness and paranoia (hence the first cameras).”

As for why the cameras and lights face the author’s bedroom and bathroom, he believes it’s simply to harass him. “I pretty much ignored her for the last couple months, and I think that bothered her.”

So what’s he going to do next? “I can’t see this ending without taking it to court, so unfortunately, I will be,” he told Bored Panda. “I do feel threatened, and due to her past actions, I’m scared of what she might do to me or my home.”

Finally, he noted that he feels sorry for his neighbor. “She doesn’t seem to be in a good place right now, and I think she needs help. However, I can’t allow that to be an excuse for her behavior. I do not want to escalate this. It would be great if she would snap out of it tomorrow, and we can forget all about it. But she put up more cameras today, so it’s likely only going to get worse.”

Installing security cameras can be a great way to prevent crime in and around your home

Hands adjusting a security camera lens, implying privacy concerns from an unhinged neighbor.

Image credits:Samsung Memory (not the actual photo)

SafeHomereports that larceny theft is the most common type of property crime in theUnited States, with 4.3 million incidents reported in 2022. Package theft is also becoming increasingly common, as one in every 180 packages vanishes off of a homeowner’s doorstep.

At the same time, 48% of all violent crimes in the U.S. occur at home. As much as no one ever plans on being a victim, it’s not a bad idea to have cameras keeping an eye on your property, just in case. And if you happen to be out of town or on vacation, asecurity systemcan give you peace of mind, as you’ll be able to keep an eye on your belongings from afar.

But before installing one of these systems, it’s important to consider what exactly you want the cameras to pick up and what you want them to avoid.Security.orgrecommends making sure you have a good view of the ground floor of your home and its windows, the main stairs and hallway in your house, your home’s common areas and your driveway.

When it comes to where you shouldavoidplacing your cameras, Security.org specifically states that you shouldn’t be keeping an eye on your neighbor’s property, your home’s bedrooms or your home’s bathrooms.

Pointing cameras at a neighbor’s home might be considered an invasion of privacy

Hand opening window blinds, peering outside, related to unhinged neighbor pointing cameras.

Image credits:Joshua Earle (not the actual photo)

But is it actually legal for a neighbor to point their cameras at your house? Well, this depends on where you live. According toEufy, it is usually legal for your cameras to surveil public areas, such as your street and your neighbor’s front yard. However, it’s often not allowed for neighbors to monitor “reasonable private areas.”

Jay 360recommends first trying to block out the neighbor’s view. This might include installing a tall fence, planting trees or shrubs, putting a screen on the deck in your backyard or installing a fountain that will disrupt any audio recordings your neighbors might be attempting to capture.

If none of these tactics work, however, it might be time to get law enforcement involved. Depending on where you live, there might not be much they can actually do. But it’s worth a try to have them take a look at the situation and evaluate if your privacy is being invaded.

And if you’re still having issues, it might be time to take the conflict to court, as the police officers in this story recommended. This can be a lengthy, expensive and exhausting process, so it’s usually a last resort. But if it’s the only way to keep your neighbors out of your business, it might be worth it.

Readers empathized with the homeowner and shared advice for what he should do next

Text exchange about neighbor pointing cameras at windows and privacy concerns.

Neighbor dispute advice regarding property lines and camera surveillance in a Reddit thread exchange.

Reddit thread discussing a neighbor’s cameras pointed at windows, highlighting the importance of getting a house survey.

Reddit comments about a land survey cost in a story involving a neighbor pointing cameras at windows.

Comment about survey costs related to a neighbor pointing cameras at windows.

Comment advice on dealing with an unhinged neighbor pointing cameras at windows.

Comment discussing handling a neighbor’s invasive camera situation and property boundaries.

Discussion of property survey methods related to unhinged neighbor camera concerns.

Text comment discussing a city survey related to a neighbor dispute.

Discussion of neighbor’s cameras and property boundaries, providing triangulation advice.

Comment suggests taking photos of signs to remind unhinged neighbor to maintain her fence.

Text screenshot of advice about dealing with unhinged neighbor pointing cameras at windows.

Text comment discussing the validity of neighbor’s cameras and RPR in a property dispute scenario.

Comment from user “happylover1” asking, “Can you find the pins and not worry about the survey?” Related to unhinged neighbor story.

Reddit comment discussing legal advice about a neighbor’s actions involving land and signs.

Text describing neighbor’s blueprint discussion about property lines and surveyor’s pin location.

Comment discussing unhinged neighbor pointing cameras at windows, suggesting to contact bylaw officers for resolution.

Comment suggesting a solution for dealing with unsettling neighbors pointing cameras.

Comment offering advice about handling an unhinged neighbor with cameras pointing at windows.

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