What do you know about secret audio recording devices?

[Phentex]

There was a story on our local news last week about a father who placed a recording device in his child's daycare room to catch the way some teachers were speaking to the children.

https://www.11alive.com/article/news/education/goddard-school-children-humiliated-investigation/85-c15d1c35-32ae-4a6a-b92a-f67e44f50c9b

I teach at a preschool and I begged our director to put a camera in the room. As far as I know, she has not done this. She DID remove one of the offending teachers but there is still one person who is just awful. The teacher in question has said and done WAY worse than what was recorded by the father in the story above. I've considered using my phone to record but I think it would be better if I were not in the room.

Any tips? Advice? Experience?

[Ptah]

1. It is illegal to record audio in any security cameras

It is illegal to record audio in any security cameras and surveillance, depending on the place and without the particular person’s consent of their privacy.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. It might be illegal. Check with a lawyer first.

[Lochloosa]

3. State laws vary. I would consult an attorney

[PoliticAverse]

4. Check your local laws. An important distiction of often made between recording sound

vs recording video only. You may be allowed to record video legally whereas recording conversations you aren't a part of can violate the law.

https://www.upcounsel.com/audio-surveillance-laws-by-state

[NightWatcher]

5. I've been asked to bug or sweep dozens of rooms, cars, offices...

I think you'd be best to try to only record when you were in the room. Listening devices look like you are fishing for dirt and are illegal in most states. Filming something extreme when it arises looks like you are merely responding to the situation that you had nothing to do with.

Signed, a Private Investigator with 20+ years experience, but this does not count as legal advice. Please contact legal representation before starting any surveillance program (that you want to be admissible in court).

[Phentex]

6. I'm going to talk to the director again...

there are security cameras in other parts of the school (I think they had some theft problems years ago.) From a little bit of googling Georgia laws, it may be okay if I am actually in the room for audio only.

Maybe I'll contact the dad in the story and see how he handled the legal side of this.

[Phentex]

7. Also...

I see videos all the time on the news showing teachers abusing students or hitting students. It's probably from someone's cell phone. How do they make it to the news legally?

[NightWatcher]

8. The cell video you shoot in person when the event happens is 100% legal to use and share

"If you do have to get the video, don't worry about legality. Document the crime or abuse and email it to local news media stations and personalities. Once it's on tv, it will be taken care of.", would be something I wouldn't be able to tell you.

[Phentex]

9. I will burn after reading...