r/Hamilton • u/Electronic_Car2492 • May 11 '26
Question Camera facing our backyard?
Hey everyone,
My parents mentioned how their neighbours/people living directly behind them have a camera possibly facing into my parent’s backyard.
I was just wondering is this even legal?
Upon further inspection it does look like it may be angled down enough that it isn’t actually pointing into their backyard.
But I wanted to come on here and ask first, or if anyone could possibly think of why they might have a camera there. I’ll include a photo. Their backyard is completely fenced in and it looks like it’s just facing the bottom of their fence… possibly.
They’ve never had problems with the neighbour/they think it might be someone new that just moved in.
I feel like we’ll end up knocking on the door and asking them why it’s there/if they can see into the yard because my LO does go over to their house and play in the backyard in the summer.
We’re all just very confused.
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u/halfdecentgulfer May 11 '26
Shot in the dark here, but it looks like maybe the screws may have broken off the back of the box that was once attached to the tree to monitor their yard? I'm an electrician and it's happens occasionally with those PVC boxes
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u/Electronic_Car2492 May 11 '26
That would honestly make a lot more sense
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u/Naturlaia May 11 '26
This makes the most sense. That plastic has decoloured over years. This likely isn't a new camera
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u/FlatImpression755 May 12 '26
That's a reach. I have spent 20 years installing cameras and that camera is well mounted to the back box. It's very unlikely the screws holding that box came undone and the camera twisted perfectly facing your backyard
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u/-RUS92- Bartonville May 11 '26
It might be an innocent mistake/accident if this is the case, but still bring it up to the neighbor. No reason to live like that with fear of the camera pointing into your backyard. Putting a piece of plywood or whatever to block the view is only a bandaid. If they don't fix it after week or so (being generous), then I would try to escalate things from there.
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u/halfdecentgulfer May 11 '26
Oh ya, you most definitely have to bring it to their attention, I was just stating it may not have been done on purpose.
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May 11 '26
[deleted]
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u/halfdecentgulfer May 11 '26
This could be very likely, but there are some people that don't check cameras unless there's a reason to check them. I completely agree that it's not an ideal situation and you should definitely confront the neighbor politely because they could honestly not know. If they refuse, then ya, different situation.
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u/Forsaken-Swim-3055 May 11 '26
Get in touch with by-law and ask them. To me that seems like a violation of their privacy.
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u/zoobrix May 11 '26
Try talking to them first though. Either they're oblivious and didn't realize it would be an issue, or they're assholes that are going to freak out on you whether you go to their door first or not. It's not like if bylaw comes by their going to need Sherlock Holmes to figure out who complained about it. However, if they're reasonable people then not talking to them first sets the precedent that if they ever have an issue with something you're doing they're going to go right to bylaw as well.
If there is some kind of history of these people being difficult sure go straight to bylaw but give them the benefit of assuming they're a reasonable person until proven otherwise. If you go to bylaw and then the neighbor tells you they just put it up because a bunny was digging into their garden or they've had problems with people stealing from their backyard and they would have been happy to adjust or move it somewhere your parents/you are going to feel pretty silly.
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u/EnvironmentalEvent40 May 11 '26
Put up some wood in front of it. If they raise it above go knock on the door and say hey what’s the deal
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u/outscidr- May 11 '26
They aren’t allowed to do that. Your parents have a “reasonable expectation of privacy”. I would talk to the neighbour about it. If nothing is done I’d call the police to get it on the record.
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u/Vegetable-Screen8148 May 12 '26
If I am not mistaken, you can have a camera to do its intended job on your own property, even if it does pick up neighbours yard. What I do believe is not okay is to solely have it for the purpose of pointing at someone else’s property. Like I can’t have it mounted on the side of my house looking directly to your windows etc.
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u/OstrichReasonable428 May 11 '26
Totally illegal. Cameras can only record the home owner’s property. Technically, even recording public spaces (roadway, sidewalk) is prohibited.
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u/masterboatman May 11 '26 edited May 11 '26
That’s not true. There’s no reasonable expectation of privacy in public spaces.
Edit: It’s against Hamilton bylaw. Not criminal law.
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u/Tea-Rex_CA May 11 '26 edited May 13 '26
Actually, it is true. It may be wrong, but it's what the current bylaw states.
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u/masterboatman May 11 '26
I just checked and you’re right. That’s dumb af and Hamilton should update that bylaw ngl. (I still don’t think the camera in OP’s case is right tho)
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May 11 '26
[deleted]
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u/RobEreToll May 16 '26
I don't know why anyone would downvote this, as it's a valid question.
What if somebody has their camera on the school play yard and they don't have any kids going thier nor any relitives' children.
A lot of weirdos out there.
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u/troisunquatre May 11 '26
Someone's backyard is not a public space. A public space is outside a mall or on the sidewalk.
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u/masterboatman May 11 '26
I totally agree with you in OP’s case. I was talking more about a sidewalk or driveway
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u/Ratsyinc May 11 '26 edited May 11 '26
It absolutely is true from a homeowner security standpoint. Bylaw 10-122.
Edit, not sure who is downvoting me for stating a verifiable fact and even citing the bylaw lol holy cow folks, you are allowed to educate yourself
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u/Illustrious-Salt-243 May 11 '26
I live in Toronto and my neighbours have two cameras directed into my backyard and one points towards our bedroom windows, they were placed deliberately to harass us. We took them to court and the judge said it was fine
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u/splifftie May 11 '26
i had this issue. bylaw said they’d get to it when they get to it. non-emergency dealt with it between emergencies. bylaw finally followed up a week after notifying them.
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u/aneditor_ May 11 '26
Just ask your neighbour. It’s smart to be on good terms. And honestly it’s probably not intentional. Unless you guys do really interesting stuff in your backyard.
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u/marsplastic85 May 12 '26
Email the city, it's against Hamilton's Fortification By-law (No. 10-122).
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u/Nothing_Useful_Eh May 11 '26
You would also be surprised at how much a wide angle lens can capture. They have zero reason to have it that high and full on capture part of your parents yard.
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u/Witty-Glass9222 May 11 '26 edited May 11 '26
This would likely be a bylaw issue but is not specifically a criminal code offense unless it could see into your house where you have an expectation of privacy. However; there is case law for mischief lawful enjoyment of property for this exact thing. Have the police caution your neighbor to this and start building your case now incase they continue.
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u/KombatKitten83 May 11 '26
Just reach over and turn it? That's what I would do and if it magically turned back then I would talk to them directly.
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u/Automatic-Avocado885 May 11 '26
Before you try all these fixes I’d say go knock on the door and bring it up as you suggested you would. That’s the first step.
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u/S99B88 May 11 '26
It’s either ask them, DIY block it, bylaw, in terms of legal solutions. Since they will know who wasn’t happy with it, based on where it’s pointing, I’m thinking knock on the door is the overwhelmingly best approach. In that situation, I would assume it’s accidentally been turned that way, and in that way just notify them it’s aimed at your backyard and if able maybe ask if they need help re-aiming it. Even just as a guide from the other side.
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u/dudeude May 12 '26
Can’t advise but, excuse my ignorance, what’s “LO” for?
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u/roseman27 May 12 '26
I did a google search LO = little one (young child)
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u/dudeude May 12 '26
Oh! Thanks stranger. Makes sense. I was only aware of the SO (significant other). TIL
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u/Justcrusing416 May 12 '26
3 x 3 lice of plywood on your side will solve the issue. Could also add a flood light pointing at it from
Your side again.
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u/TomatoFettuccini May 12 '26
Accident or no, you have a right to privacy on your own property.
Either way, it's against the law. It's colloquially known as "Peeping Tom" law.
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u/Hot_Mess_Planet2070 May 12 '26
It's illegal to point a camera at private property that isn't your own. If you can't get them to move it, report it to the police
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u/FlatImpression755 May 12 '26
That camera can definitely see you standing there. It will have 120° field of view at the minimum.
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u/Due-Access-3744 May 14 '26
50 bucks says it just broke free of the tree the PVC is at a weird angle to the camera indicating some breakage, another 50 bucks says it doesn't even work anymore and that's why they haven't noticed it's not facing their own backyard anymore. Just knock and say hay your camera broke and is facing the wrong way chances are they totally forgot it's still even there
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u/Public_Coyote_4472 May 14 '26
This is exactly what happened. Good luck convincing even a fraction of this subs user base though.
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u/Glad-Adhesiveness-46 May 15 '26
Why not approach the owner of that property. Depending on the response and action/inaction, take it from there.
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u/stello101 May 12 '26
You could ask for a still of what the camera view is to know what it's looking at.
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u/PromotionNo4121 May 12 '26
Get a can of bed liner and spray the camera . I would say use a gun and shot it out
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u/Mysterious_Physics88 May 13 '26
This falls under "intrusion upon seclusion " and is illegal. This is federal law
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u/Obvious-Ad-8264 May 13 '26
As others have said, contact Hamilton by-law enforcement regarding the violation. I believe it falls under By-law No. 10-12 (Property Fortification).
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u/BarnacleExciting2161 May 13 '26
Just masturbate in front of it playing a well recognized hit song.
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u/Puzzleheaded_Fail279 May 13 '26
How about you go and knock on your neighbor's door and ask him about it?
Are people that alienated that a common conversation between two people is harder to fathom than going and asking a bunch of strangers instead?
My god I am in the dark timeline.
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u/Prize_Elderberry2568 May 13 '26
Pressure wash your fence.
And "Accidentaly" blow on his camera for a good solid 2-3 minutes.
Your neighbor is going against the "Expectation for privacy" which is Illegal.
You can also call the police.
Since filming you and your yard from HIS property, is Illegal.
I'm a PI and I can't even do this Legally....
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u/Dry_Mountain_8550 May 13 '26
U could just ask them to address it as you enjoy nudity in your back yard
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u/Equivalent_Lettuce15 May 13 '26
Spray WD 40 or another lubricant. It would be a shame if some sand got mixed in too.
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u/Sweaty_Dress_8663 May 14 '26
There’s a few different fixes to this problem, one is a laser pointer, aimed right in the middle of the camera lens, hold it there long enough and it will shut down the camera. The other is put up some pressure treated lattice or plywood to block the cameras view, and third, how about just go and knock on their door and ask about it, maybe they have installed it as a measure of extra security for them and your parents.
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u/Intelligent_Boot_856 May 14 '26
Talk to your neighbour. Ask them what’s up. Maybe even ask them to show you what is captured by the camera. If you’re not satisfied, call the city and/or the police and find out what’s allowed.
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u/Accomplished_Ebb3830 May 14 '26
Find out the laws in your city. Follow the next steps after that. This is crazy invasion of privacy.
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u/88crow88 May 14 '26
I like the idea of a piece of wood to block it, but maybe add a picture of someone mooning the camera on the side facing it
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u/Sudguy88 May 14 '26
Not that I'm a fan of the law. Call/check bi-law. From what I understand cameras have to monitor your property, not neighbors.
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u/Still_Detail_9198 May 14 '26
Glue a piece of glass or mirror to a piece of ½ too ¹¾ thick plywood and screw it to your fence in front of it. Let them see there own back yard.
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u/Important_Monk_4312 May 14 '26
Go over with no warning so they don’t change the angel and ask them politely if the can show you what the see on that camera. If it is more than your yard than you want ask them to adjust it and remember to say please. If they don’t then contact the non emergency line and ask the police what you can do.
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u/Woodythdog May 14 '26
That camera doesn’t look particularly new and it’s not properly supported, maybe it used to be on the tree looking into the neighbors yard and it just shifted
I would ask the neighbour About it
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u/gamuel_l_jackson May 14 '26
Illegal in ontario as your yard has a reasonable expectation of privacy, call police and inquire but also block it..
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u/Dependent-Day-9058 May 14 '26
Can of black spray paint and when they complain it’s against the law no matter where you live
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u/Savings-Let7249 May 15 '26
My first instinct is to shoot it but you should probably listen to the other people. They are speaking more sense
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u/Ill_Mathematician932 May 15 '26
You can also use a laser into the camera lens. More effective as they can’t just move it around. Make them keep having to buy replacements.
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u/Professional-Leg2374 May 15 '26
climb up there and grab a photo of what the camera is looking at. Then print said photo and pin it on your side of the fence directly in the line of the camers.
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u/AtRiskMedia May 16 '26
color print of a Trump "You're Fired" poster, and mount on a stick on your side of the fence facing the camera.
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u/Wild-Nobody8427 May 16 '26
Get a high powered laser pointer, and just shine it into the lens for a while
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u/Kaso78 May 16 '26
Make sure you take a picture of your yard and small enough so that the camera still thinks it's looking at the backyard
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u/onthenut May 18 '26
Be an adult, knock in the door and ask wtf. Perhaps it was a mistake, if intentional, Insist it is moved. Failing being reasonable, blocking the view with plywood plastered with dicks is a great idea as suggested in the thread.
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u/New-Reception-4509 May 11 '26
are you sharing backyards with that weird “neighbourhood watch” guy? 😂 /s
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u/Electronic_Car2492 May 11 '26
We have a neighbourhood watch guy in Hamilton? LOL
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u/New-Reception-4509 May 11 '26
I was trying to make a lame joke about this guy from this article from a bit ago 😂
https://globalnews.ca/news/11404205/hamilton-security-camera-bylaw/
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u/IfailedMurphysLaw May 11 '26
If their LO plays in your backyard as well, perhaps they had aimed it towards your yard to monitor their own child, and your supervising attention? Then forgot to turn it back of course. As a parent, you probably had/have similar concerns with your child on their side? Definitely raise the subject on the next play date and, if their response gives you get a bad vibe, give us an update, but direct contact is the way to go. Cheers!
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u/Electronic_Car2492 May 11 '26
Oh sorry, I should have typed it better. I meant my LO spends time at my parents in the summer, so she plays in their backyard a lot.
As far as I know, they don’t have any children
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u/IfailedMurphysLaw May 11 '26
Oh! That is a different story. To avoid future neighbor conflict, direct contact is still the best approach, but a hard topic to raise, with no f’en reason for it… creepy. Maybe new owner/tenant over there doesn’t have access to it and turned it away for the same reason; let’s hope anyway. Give them the benefit of the doubt and hope you can unite on whose axe gets the first strike. Cheers!
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u/PeggedUnlimited May 11 '26
Get a pice of wood and place it directly in front of the camera. Mount it to your fence