Surveillance

What is surveillance?

Surveillance is the monitoring of the behavior, activities, or other changing information, usually of people for the purpose of influencing, managing, directing, or protecting them. This can be done via various means such as video cameras, telephone tapping, internet monitoring, or other electronic means. Surveillance can be used for various purposes such as law enforcement, national security, or to protect property. Some forms of surveillance can be controversial or raise ethical concerns, particularly when carried out without the knowledge or consent of the individuals being monitored.

Should you hire a private investigator to conduct surveillance?

Hiring a private investigator for surveillance operations can be a difficult decision. On one hand, surveillance can provide valuable information and help protect individuals and businesses from potential threats. On the other hand, surveillance can be costly and may raise ethical concerns. In order to determine whether or not to hire a private investigator for surveillance, it is important to consider the reasons for the surveillance and the potential benefits and risks.

One of the most common reasons to hire a private investigator for surveillance is to gather evidence in a legal case. For example, if an individual suspects their spouse of infidelity, they may hire a private investigator to conduct surveillance in order to gather evidence to use in a divorce or custody case. In these cases, surveillance can provide valuable information that can be used in court, and may be necessary in order to prove a case.

Another common reason to hire a private investigator for surveillance is to protect a business or an individual from potential threats. For example, a business may hire a private investigator to conduct surveillance of its employees or competitors in order to ensure that its intellectual property is protected and that its employees are not engaging in illegal or unethical activities. Additionally, an individual may hire a private investigator to conduct surveillance of a potential romantic partner in order to ensure their safety.

Surveillance operations can also be used to investigate workers' compensation fraud. By observing an individual's activities and movements, investigators can gather evidence that the individual is exaggerating or fabricating an injury claim, or that they are engaging in activities that are inconsistent with their claim of being unable to work. Additionally, surveillance operations can be used to gather information on a missing person, or to track down a person who is avoiding service of legal papers.

However, it is important to consider the potential risks and ethical concerns associated with surveillance. Surveillance can be costly and time-consuming, and may not always yield the desired results. Additionally, surveillance can raise ethical concerns, particularly if it is conducted without the knowledge or consent of the individuals being monitored.

Furthermore, there are laws and regulation in certain states that needs to be adhered to when conducting surveillance.

In conclusion, hiring a private investigator for surveillance operations can be a difficult decision. It is important to consider the reasons for the surveillance, the potential benefits and risks, and any ethical concerns. If the potential benefits outweigh the risks, it may be worthwhile to hire a private investigator for surveillance. However, it is important to ensure that the surveillance is conducted within legal and ethical boundaries.

Below is an example of a private investigator being hired to conduct surveillance on a cheating spouse.

A private investigator, Jane Doe, was hired by a wife, Mrs. Smith, who suspected that her husband, Mr. Smith, was cheating on her. She had noticed a change in his behavior and had grown suspicious of his whereabouts and activities. She wanted to find out the truth and needed concrete evidence to confront him.

Jane Doe, being a highly experienced private investigator, knew that conducting surveillance on a suspected cheating spouse would require a thorough and discreet investigation. She began by conducting a background check on Mr. Smith, gathering information about his daily routine, and identifying any potential locations or individuals that he may have been seeing.

As the investigation progressed, Doe was able to gather solid evidence of Mr. Smith's infidelity. She was able to document multiple instances of him meeting with another woman, including pictures, videos and audio recordings. Doe was able to provide Mrs. Smith with a detailed report of the findings and evidence collected.

Mrs. Smith used the evidence provided by Doe to confront her husband, and as a result, the couple was able to come to an understanding and make a decision about their future.

In conclusion, this case serves as an example of how a private investigator can be of great help in conducting surveillance on a suspected cheating spouse. The expertise and experience of a private investigator can provide valuable information to individuals who suspect infidelity and can help them make informed decisions about their relationship. Additionally, a private investigator can conduct the investigation in a discreet and professional manner, allowing clients to have concrete evidence before confronting their partner.

Below is an example of a private investigator being hired to conduct surveillance on a fraudulent workers' compensation claim.

A private investigator, John Smith, was hired by an insurance company, ABC Insurance, to conduct surveillance on a workers' compensation claim. The claim was filed by an employee named Mr. Brown, who stated that he had been injured on the job and was unable to work. The insurance company was suspicious about the validity of the claim as the employee had reported the injury after a long weekend.

John Smith, being a highly experienced private investigator, knew that conducting surveillance on a suspected fraudulent claim would require a thorough and discreet investigation. He began by reviewing the employee's medical records and interviewing witnesses who were present at the time of the injury. He also reviewed company policies, procedures and security footage if available to determine if Mr. Brown was following the safety protocols.

As the investigation progressed, Smith was able to gather evidence that Mr. Brown had not been truthful about his injuries. He was able to document multiple instances of Mr. Brown engaging in activities that were inconsistent with his reported injuries, such as playing sports, carrying heavy loads, and even working at another job.

Smith reported his findings to the insurance company, which was able to use the information to deny the workers' compensation claim. Thanks to the private investigator's efforts, the company was able to avoid paying out a potentially fraudulent claim and was able to protect its financial interests.

In conclusion, this case serves as an example of how a private investigator can be of great help in conducting surveillance on suspected fraudulent workers' compensation claims. The expertise and experience of a private investigator can provide valuable information to insurance companies and employers, and can help them determine the validity of a claim and protect their financial interests. Additionally, an investigation can also ensure that the employee receives the appropriate medical treatment and the employer can take necessary action to prevent future incidents.

Have an ex-employee breaking their non-compete?

A non-compete agreement is a legal document that restricts an employee from engaging in certain activities after leaving a company. These agreements are commonly used to protect a company's trade secrets, confidential information, and customer base. However, enforcing non-compete agreements can be challenging, especially if the employee has violated the terms of the agreement.

In such cases, it may be necessary to hire a private investigator to gather evidence and build a strong case for enforcement. Here are some reasons why hiring a private investigator for non-compete agreements is a wise decision:

Expertise in investigation techniques

Private investigators are trained professionals who have expertise in various investigation techniques. They know how to conduct discreet and thorough investigations, gather evidence, and document their findings. They have access to resources such as databases, surveillance equipment, and other tools that can help them uncover valuable information that can be used in court.

Objectivity

Hiring a private investigator for a non-compete agreement case ensures that the investigation is conducted in an objective and unbiased manner. This is important because emotions can run high in such cases, and it's easy for the parties involved to lose sight of the facts. A private investigator can provide an objective perspective on the situation, which can help to prevent misunderstandings and disputes.

Protection of your company's reputation

When an employee violates a non-compete agreement, it can have serious consequences for your company's reputation. Clients may lose trust in your company, and competitors may take advantage of the situation. By hiring a private investigator, you can protect your company's reputation by ensuring that the investigation is conducted professionally and discreetly.

Cost-effective

Hiring a private investigator may seem like an expensive option, but it can be cost-effective in the long run. A private investigator can help you gather the evidence you need to build a strong case for enforcement, which can save you time and money in the long run. Moreover, if the non-compete agreement violation has caused your company financial damages, a private investigator can help you recover those damages through legal means.

Faster resolution

Non-compete agreement cases can drag on for months or even years, especially if the evidence is not strong enough to support enforcement. By hiring a private investigator, you can speed up the resolution process by gathering strong evidence that can be used in court. This can help you achieve a faster resolution to the case, which can save you time, money, and stress.

In conclusion, hiring a private investigator for non-compete agreement cases is a smart move. Private investigators have the expertise, objectivity, and resources needed to gather strong evidence and build a strong case for enforcement. They can protect your company's reputation, save you time and money, and help you achieve a faster resolution to the case.

Surveillance Rates
1 Investigator - $75.00/ Hour + Mileage (federal rate) + any additional case expenses.

1 Investigator - All-Inclusive Rate - $94.99/ Per Hour
2 Investigators - $149.99/ Per Hour + Mileage (federal rate) + any additional case expenses.

2 Investigators - All-Inclusive Rate - $174.99/ Per Hour

Our standard hourly rate for surveillance is $75.00 per hour from portal to portal from our base of operations in Columbia Heights, MN. Mileage is billed at the federal rate of $0.65 per mile. Additional case expenses, such as comprehensive searches, running plates, entrance fees to venues dining expenses, etc... All will be itemized and billed to the client.

Report Time: We calculate report time based on 0.25 hours per full page of written narrative. Pages that include only screenshots, photos, or similar content are not counted toward this total. For example, two pages consisting of half screenshots and half narrative would be counted as one page for billing purposes.

Video Processing: Our standard billing rate for video processing services is $75.00 per hour. This rate includes requests such as adding time stamps or other specific video editing requests.

We believe that these rates are competitive and reflective of the high-quality services we provide. Please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or require further clarification regarding our rates or billing procedures. We are committed to maintaining transparency and open communication throughout our collaboration.