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A HOMEOWNER has discovered a disturbing object in her front yard that instantly put her at risk of being burglarized.
Mary Kehoe was the latest in a string of residents to be victimized by a trending scheme that gives criminals a look inside their property.
The New York City resident said that her entire neighborhood is on high alert after she discovered an Android device buried in her garden.
The shady tech was camouflaged with black tape and had only the camera peaking out of the ground.
The resident said that a charger was hidden out of sight to keep the device powered up as it recorded her entering and exiting her home.
After making the horror discovery, Kehoe wondered, “Why us? Why our lawn?” she told WCBS.
Hidden cameras are cropping up across the US, and police say it’s so criminals can analyze homeowners’ patterns and learn when they won’t be home.
Kehoe said that after she found the camera, her neighbors started ramping up their security and keeping their outdoor lights on.
“We’re a nice little block here that we look out for one another, so when people do go away, they let us know so we can take a walk down their driveway and make sure everything is safe,” she said.
The victim and her neighbors sent a clear message to anyone who thinks they can break into their homes.
“Don’t come back to our neighborhood or any neighborhood because we are now watching,” said another resident Helen McGovern.
This is just the latest in a disturbing string of hidden camera incidents.
In California, another woman discovered a similar device that was concealed in a fake bush in her front yard, CBS affiliate KCAL reported in 2024.
A witness living in the neighborhood reported seeing the object dropped off by men who were shrouded in Covid-19 masks and carrying white bags.
In a different California neighborhood, a camera disguised as a rock was nestled outside someone’s property, according to local outlets.
Meanwhile, criminals in Massachusetts were caught breaking into a home after installing hidden cameras in bushes, CBS affiliate WBZ reported.
Investigators said these suspects were connected to an organized International Theft Group called the South American Theft Groups.
“It’s really, really terrifying, honestly,” the victim told the outlet after the incident.
“You wouldn’t think that it would happen to you, it’s really, really shocking.”
Safety Tips For Hidden Surveillance
- Do a sweep of your property – Check your yard for anything that looks out of place (wires, taped-up phones, or small electronics).
- Look for power sources – Hidden devices need to stay charged, so try spotting cords, extensions, or battery packs in the grass.
- Check for camera lenses – Even if taped up, tiny reflective lenses may catch the light.
- Use a signal detector – Affordable RF (radio frequency) scanners can pick up wireless signals from hidden cameras or recorders.
- Secure your Wi-Fi – Criminals sometimes piggyback on weak Wi-Fi.
- Install your own cameras – Motion-detection doorbells or CCTV can catch anyone sneaking around your yard planting gadgets.
- Talk to neighbors – Let them know what you’ve found and stay alert for suspicious activity on the block.
- Report it immediately – If you discover a hidden device, call police
CAMERA LAWS
Homeowners should know that they could be breaking the law if they set up cameras in their backyards.
Conducting backyard surveillance without a property owner’s consent is a violation of civil rights,
This means that if a camera is pointed past a neighbor’s fence, then it could be a violation of their right to privacy.
Other ways to protect against burglary include making your property less attractive to thieves.
This could mean showing signs that a security system is installed, or putting up motion sensor lights that turn on as soon as someone walks onto the property.
Property owners should always make sure that their doors and windows are locked whenever they aren’t home.
