Countering Security/Surveillance Cameras in Urban Environments

As a covert operative or vigilant civilian, maintaining a low profile and avoiding surveillance is crucial to the success of our missions or personal security / privacy. In today’s world, security cameras are ubiquitous in urban environments, making it increasingly challenging to move about undetected. These are the methods and concepts to counter them.

      Detecting Cameras

The first step in avoiding security cameras is learning how to identify them. Cameras come in various shapes and sizes, there are a few telltale signs to watch for:

• Overt Cameras:   As obvious as it may be to detect cameras in plain sight, most people living in cities learn to ignore them and don’t notice cameras right in front of them. Instead, deliberately look for and notice cameras.

• Dome-shaped or Cylindrical Casings:   These are commonly used to house security cameras, making them less conspicuous. Although these are often also in plain sight, it’s still ideal to actively be on the lookout for them.

• Infrared Lights:   Many cameras have infrared lights to enable night vision, which may emit a faint red glow in low-light conditions.

• Wires or Cables:   Follow any suspicious wiring that doesn’t seem to have any logical use, as it may lead to a hidden camera.

      Camera Placements

Security cameras are often placed in strategic locations to monitor high-traffic areas and potential points of interest. Here are some common locations where cameras may be installed:

• Choke Points:   These are where the space is limited to a narrow moveable area in a way there is no way around it except forward; bridges, tunnels, hallways, one way streets etc.

• Entrances and Exits:   Doors and gates are often monitored to capture images of everyone entering or leaving a building.

• Intersections and Corners:   Cameras are frequently placed at street intersections or on the corners of buildings to provide a wide field of view.

• High Vantage Points:   Rooftops, light poles and other elevated positions offer an unobstructed view of the area below.

• ATMs, Parking lots and Transportation Hubs:   These locations are often targeted by criminals, making them prime spots for surveillance.

      Countering Cameras

Once you’ve identified potential camera locations, use the following techniques to evade video capture, distort / manipulate the video content if captured or camouflage yourself from the capture.