Busted

[findu]

Wow.
Last night @ 23:00-ish we were on our way to bed when I told my missus I just needed to get something from the car. Went to the location where I got some recordings before (see other thread Birmingham open window) but just as I wanted to place the recorder some neighbors' car pulled up and another car stopped right outside so I had to walk on. When I returned 2 mins later the neighbour of 3 doors down had just entered the house but the other car appeared to be curry delivery for next door, who had now rang the doorbell.
I decided however that both him and the neighbour who had now answered the door couldn't see me as there were some bushes between us. My missud expected me to be back in 40 secs and it had now been 4 mins so I placed my recorder as always in the front garden and went back home.

This morning @ 6:45 I picked up the recorder and at work was listening to the results on my headphones while working.

This is what I heard 34 mins into the recording.

So obviously the owner of the house must have decided to look out the window because he could hear his neighbor talk outside his open window (to the curry delivery man) and spotted me placing the recorder. He then came out to double check and rang the police, who showed up and at this point I let the attached recording begin.

Clearly he must've had a good clear view of me as he desctibes me to the copper really quite accurate (only that I am probably asian is incorrect). The copper has a good look at the usb recorder (on this unit a blue light flashes every 4 secs) and then has a chat with the gent inside. What they discuss now I cannot really pick up (is he asked to dicribe me again and he mentions he followed me walking into the street?), so much appreciated if someone can hear something more.

They then both leave and leave the recorder in the same place, still recording, for me to collect it the next morning...

Obviously I have been shitting myself all day and will continue t do so for the next... ??

Why did they leave it? Did they put a camera recorder facing the audio recorder and do they now have me on video?
Is it officially ilegal what I have done (I don't think it is but it is also not much appreciated to say the least)?

What to say if the coppers knock on my door tomorrow or next week, or if the geezer recognizes me and confronts me in the street? The house is at the end of my street but only like 6 houses/ 50 yards away. Sooner or later we will bump into each other. Probably sooner rather than later.

I am thinking of shaving my hair off or dying my hair blonde..

What you guys reckon?

Cheers

[thomas]

Personally, I think nothing will happen... the police should have better/more important things to do...

I am not a lawyer but it will be probably illegal as well to install cameras recording you when you picked up the recorder...

[d2009sd2009s]

I agree with what Thomas said (but I am not a layer too).
Actually, I have doubts that the copper going to the call always takes a camera recorder. Anyway, in the morning they only can see the guy taking a recorder (you always can pretend that it is not your recorder, you just found it). For your neighbour, of course, it will not be convincing, but what can he do? He can not prove that YOU have placed it there. And if your neighbour confronts your in the street, not police, you just can deny anything. What do you risk? Just he will think you are voyerist and liar, but do you really care about his opinion? Of course, no more records from this place anymore, but... shit happens.

Hope you will be OK! Keep the community in touch of what is happening.

[freaky1974]

If the police or the neighbour asks, just say you like recording the sounds of nature, have some recordings to hand just to prove it

[Jeremy]

Don’t worry mate, he will have no idea it is you (you are not Asian, must be plenty of ppl looking like you in b’ham etc….). you’ve had a shock, but in our field of interest that’s not a bad thing, you will be more alert and prepared in future.
This is not corporate espionage, spooks come prepared with monitoring equipment. They will 100% not have set up a camera, you first need a warrant, and this is hardly a high level bust (I don't mean hers ;P) to warrant such effort & expense.
That said, I’d strongly suggest giving it a break for a couple of weeks. For the next couple of nights he will probably check around the same time….but the old guy will get bored and give up. No-one stays out at night watching for shadows.
On the legality point, it would be illegal to set up a fixed camera to spy on someone. However for noisy sex (or any other noise come to that), you are not infringing on anyone’s privacy even if you record – providing the noise can be heard outside. Plenty of ppl record noisy neighbours and send them to the council as proof. Indeed, technically noisy neighbours are infringing on other ppl’s privacy if they can be heard from an open window.
You mentioned in a previous post you hadn’t heard them for a couple of weeks – does this old man live next door to them? If so it is conceivable he may have complained to them directly which would account for them having their windows shut when it is still warm. This is not automatically the case however and it is easy to presume too much and feed your own paranoia. This guy knows nothing about your proclivities or anything else.
When you feel comfortable walking by again, don’t plant the recorder immediately, just do a couple of test runs, see if you notice his curtains drawn. Think about a different place to put the recorder even if it’s just a few feet away in the bushes, even stick it to the back of a pebble; he’s not going to put effort into finding something so inconspicuous. Also, consider wearing a hoodie or hat (ie something obvious but unidentifiable). An extra disguise you might consider adopting is a limp. Also wear gloves so there are no finger prints. And stuff a cushion up your coat so you look fat from a distance. There are loads of possibilities anyway. It’s winter coming so it is already getting darker, so go earlier at 10 when the news is on. Old ppl always watch the news so will be occupied. You won’t miss much I suspect as she is young and will not have noisy sex until late; if anything you will be more assured of catching her. By then he will have forgotten all about it: people have short memories.
If you bump into him in the street in broad, just play stupid if he asks. you’re don’t look Asian so recognition will not be obvious. Indeed you could retort “huh? What? Are you spying on me or something? If I catch you spying on me again I’ll call the cops”
So by taking sound precautions and when you are comfortable you can still get recordings (if they have their window ajar when it gets colder – but you can check beforehand) AND most importantly stay safe. Give it a break for a little while until you are calmer, and remember the sound of her sweet, desperately tantalising young moans.
Until your next success I hope this helps reassure you. J

[yeppie]

I can absolutely understand your shock - I´d feel the same way (and almost got busted too once) and I agree with my previous speakers. You should have nothing serious to be afraid of ... But please keep us informed and tell us that you´re fine from time to time.
And please be careful - Everybody!

[findu]

Hi guys, thanks for your replies and for helping me calm down. Some good advice too.
Yes I too believe the police will not prioritise this at all and have probably forgotten about this already.

I am not even 100% certain they classified it as a sound recorder (the copper never even tried to switch the switch)?

So yeah now it's between the geezer and me (it is actually the youngish gent from the recordings himself, not a neighbor or something). Best would be that he doesn't know where I actualy live. But hey, let's see what happens next...

[Jeremy]

No worries mate. I hope you do get the chance to hear her again :p

[Audio]

this is a funny story, even for this funny board. I remember being once almost busted by one neighbour. I have recorded the Müllers around 30 times (its all on this Forum) and it became such a routine that I just put the Recorder in front of their apartment when the started and came back one hour later to collect it. At this time, however, the guy, for what reason only god knows, left the apartemnt after their love session and he must have stumbled onto my Recorder but he didnt pick it up, probably he didnt see it although its quite big olympus ls3 and there should have been some light from their entree when he opned the door to the corridor. I have hear them say goodbye and he leaving, so I had exreme luck that time.

[regnen11]

)

[regnen11]

Not neighbor busted - but hotel recording busted -- I've had an instance or so where I attracted more attention than I wanted...

"Oh... you can see me?" - the tone has to be incredulous and very sincere with hint of relief...
"How long have you had your chip out... oh, no... that's right, you shouldn't tell me" ; drop to a whisper "they might be listening".
" I know there are a least two teams of them staying here... I have a field protection generator already set up... so my room is perfectly safe, in case you need it... (you give them a room on another floor and certainly not your real room number)...
suddenly looking startled, wide eyed and mumble " oh not, not again..." then turn and quickly walk away (Toward the stairs is better than waiting for an elevator)

Keeping your voice low - not making any threatening moves - and speaking urgently - you can get through it and be off before they've gotten their heads wrapped around exactly what sort of bat shit crazy person they don't really want to deal with that evening

Going to your room and not coming out again until check out is a prudent move - if you see them the next morning - you can either be completely oblivious or give them a wink - I've done both.

Trick is to be prepared - sell it - don't hesitate...