This Blog is for all the new Private Investigators out there that are just starting out in the game. When you are hired by a client to follow someone (aka surveillance) if you want to be able to do this job long term, you need to know what you cannot do as much as what you can do in order to do the job correctly and not have what you find thrown out if it goes to court. The most important rule – know the law and stick to it. Here are just some of the key points to remember:
- Do not go on private property – in the world of ring cameras and video surveillance on many homes and businesses, intentionally going on to someone’s property for the “money shot” is useless to use in court, not to mention can get you pulled in for trespassing.
- Do not take photos looking into someone’s window – that stuff is for the movies. You do not want to be caught “peeping” in someone’s window. That is not acceptable in court either and will get you arrested.
- Do not take photos over someone’s fence in their backyard – you are not the paparazzi and that space is considered “private” – just like looking inside the window of their home is not allowed.
There are many other things not to do, but this Blog is about what you can actually do to improve your surveillance skills, so let’s get to it. I will also “Note” some tricks and tips along the way.
Subway Surveillance
When you are in New York City – whichever borough, you are most likely going to follow someone at some point onto a subway or some type of public transportation. That can be easy if you know how to do it, or it can totally blow your cover if done incorrectly. The key to successful surveillance on the subway is to be as “indifferent” to your surroundings as everyone else is. The best way for me to describe what that means is to give you an example. Throughout the story, I will put in the tips and tricks that help me succeed, so pay attention. Here we go…
I was doing surveillance not too long ago which involved following someone who was allegedly cheating on his wife. The surveillance started out at the Electchester complex in Pomonok, Queens. I waited for the Client to text me that her husband was leaving and what he was wearing. He told her he had to go in on a Saturday to get some work done at his office in Floral Park, but she did not believe him. So that day I waited outside for him to exit the building and began my surveillance day. He hopped on a bus to the subway, which was not a problem. (Note – always remember to have a MetroCard with you at all times with a good amount of money on it. This is your ticket around the city on all forms of public transportation.) He boarded the bus and sat near the front and I went to the midway section next to the side exit. I did not look up until we stopped. Then I watched for when he stood up and did not move until he turned towards the front. Then I got up and watched to see the direction he headed in so it did not appear obvious. I then exited the bus and followed him to the nearest subway. When he got to the platform, I made sure to have the beam block his view of me. I also made sure to have just enough distance to not be noticed by him, but to be able to board the same car. (Note – If the cars are pretty empty, sometimes I will get on the car adjoining that one and watch through the window to see when he gets out, but this time it was half full, so I just got on and moved to the other end, making sure to be able to see where he was if he stood up.) The key to blending on the subway is to not make eye contact. Look at it as if you are on an elevator. You don’t want to be the one that stares at everyone. You just want to stare at the doors and wait for your floor. The same goes for the subway. You don’t want to be staring blatantly at everyone. That’s just weird.
So getting back to the story, I was now on the subway car at the other end. I usually pretend to be on my phone like about 80% of the riders. The other 20% were either asleep or trying to read the posters on the walls. I usually do the same if there is a poster near where the Subject is seated. Then if he looks up I go back to my phone. The poster thing usually works well, if you watch the person in your peripheral vision for a sign that they are getting ready to exit the subway car. (Note – most often, they will indicate their moves in some way. They will suddenly put their book or phone away, they will gather their belongings, something that is a key indicator that they are getting ready to go. When this happens, be prepared to get out quickly. Make sure no one is between you and the door if possible, but make sure that the Subject is definitely getting off or you’re screwed.) When the subway reached the Subject’s stop, he disembarked and there were a lot of people on the platform, so I got right behind him. (Note – If there aren’t many people, you can be slightly more discrete, but not much. The last thing you want is to have some slow-moving person get in between you and the Subject. That can cause a problem, especially during the height of rush hour.)
So anyway, I followed him to another subway which was much more packed. This time, I got on right behind him and sat diagonally across from him. I then waited for him to indicate when he was getting ready for his stop. We were there for several stops. I had my phone out and instead of watching the screen, I watched his shoes. Now I know that sounds weird, but trust me it works. (Note – when you need to watch the Subject without them knowing, focus on their shoes if they are across from you or if they are on the same side watch the reflection in the windows across from both of you. You will know that they are still there, and when they start moving around, it usually means they are getting ready to leave. It never draws attention to you either.) We got off the Subway and headed into Prospect Lefferts Gardens in Brooklyn to a cozy restaurant where the Subject met up with a woman and they kissed each other in a “more than friends” way before they went into the restaurant.
Restaurant Surveillance
If you find yourself following someone into a restaurant, and you are doing solo surveillance, here is what I suggest. When I was following a cheater in Fort Greene Brooklyn and the couple went into a restaurant that was not overly full. I proceeded to go in and asked if they had a take-out menu, which luckily they did. I spent some time watching the couple find a cozy table near the back and got some great videos of them cuddling up and sharing a menu. I ordered something that I knew would take time to make and settled in to watch the show. (Note – when you are on surveillance alone and a couple goes into a restaurant, immediately ask if you can get something to go. 99% of the time they will do it and then you do not raise suspicion by eating alone. If you choose something that takes a while, you have an excuse to be “hanging around”. Also, if they are in the rear of the restaurant, ask to use the restroom, which is almost always in the back and gives you an excuse to get some footage as you pass by with a covert camera.) After my food arrived, and I had more than enough video, I left the restaurant and found a spot with a clear view of the door with close access to a garbage can. I ate some food and watched the door. When they came out, I tossed the remaining food in the can and continued to follow them back to what appeared to be her residence. They went inside and I settled in down across the street at a corner coffee place with a lot of windows. When I spotted the door open, I got ready. I caught the “kiss goodbye” in the doorway and then he left alone. I knew he was headed home and I broke off the surveillance at that point. (Note – Always know when to stop so you don’t bring attention to yourself. If you burn the case, there is no second chance. The Subject will be hinky and you’ll have to wait before you can put someone else on it which will not sit well with the Client.)
Surveillance On Foot
When following someone on foot, you need to be discreet. It is too easy for them to notice someone following them if you are close behind for too long unless you are going to or from a crowded area, such as a subway or train, a crowded street, etc. (Note – You need to keep changing your appearance. My husband will have a couple of different hats or wear two light jackets so if he is following someone for too long he will swap hats and take off a jacket to appear differently. I will carry a clip so I can put my hair up or take it down and put on a pair of glasses or sunglasses and often dress in layers that are reversible. Whatever changes the look, even slightly, will help.) Another thing is knowing when to stay close and when to change your position.
Here is an example: We had a case in Milford, Connecticut where we had to follow a teen. Her parents were concerned that she was sneaking off to see a boy they did not want her to see. My assignment was to follow her for the day and make sure that she was obeying her parent’s wishes. She was too young to drive and the family lived close to the center of town, so she usually walked to meet her friends. On this particular day, she said she was walking to meet her friends and they were going to the farmer’s market downtown. When she left the house, I began following from a distance. The street was not very busy so I did not want to be aggressive. Once we were on Main Street, I crossed the street and followed. (Note – when following on foot, whenever possible, do not follow directly behind them for too long. Cross the street and stay slightly behind and follow from the other side of the road. Stay out of the Subject’s peripheral line of vision. If done correctly, they will never suspect they are being followed.) When she crossed the street, I would switch back to the other side. This continued until she arrived at her destination. What also helps is that most of the time people tend to be looking at their phones, which helps to distract them from you following them. But never assume that they won’t notice you. If they start to turn around, put your phone up to your ear and pretend to be having a conversation. Then be extremely cautious and change up your look if at all possible.
When the Subject arrived at the farmer’s market, as expected, it was the boy she met up with and not the girls she told her parents she was meeting. They walked off hand-in-hand, bought some food, and then headed to the beach, where they stayed most of the day making out on a blanket. I set up in an area that was not close by, however, I could have been sitting in a neon pink roller skate and I don’t think they would have noticed me. I texted the photos to the parents after the case was finished. I’m sure that their daughter is still grounded months later for that little rendezvous.
Stay In Shape And Dress Appropriately
A key thing to remember is to try to be prepared for whatever happens on your surveillance. If you are in Manhattan, for example, you will need to be prepared to walk a lot. (Note- Wear comfortable shoes/sneakers regardless of the situation. In the city, especially Manhattan, most people wear sneakers and carry their heels to work.) If you are following someone that is active or athletic, make sure you or whomever you have following them is able to keep up. Here are some examples of what I mean…
- A night on the town – We had to do surveillance on a cheater that took his lady to a fancy restaurant in Astoria, Queens. We knew where they were going because the Subject had booked the reservations and confirmation came up in his email, which the wife saw. We arrived all dressed up and waited for them to show up at the restaurant. I was wearing my 3-inch heels when we went in, but as soon as we followed them out, my husband had my flip-flops inside his inner suit jacket pocket and I quickly switched over so we could easily follow them wherever they went. They were quick walkers too so I was able to keep up easily.
- Joggers – I need to start off by saying I hate following joggers. I am not a runner and will never claim to be one. I once tried that “Couch to 5K” app and it damn near killed me. But I still do what I can to keep up. This particular time my assignment was to follow the Client’s wife to see if she was really out jogging every morning since she did not appear to be in shape for long runs. (Note – if you know what type of activity the Subject may be involved in, try to be prepared. I knew the Client was told by the Subject that she would jog a few miles each morning, so I brought along my roller skates since I am not a jogger.) The assignment was to follow along to find out who she jogged with on these long runs. Turns out she jogged about five minutes to the Food Cellar in Long Island City and then got a spot near the East River to have her coffee and eat some pastries. Eventually, she headed back to the house. So the only cheating she was doing was on her diet apparently. LOL.
- Be prepared for anything – We had a case recently where the person we were following went to the gym, then returned to her apartment in Dyker Heights in Brooklyn and came out ready for a night on the town. (Note – when you pack up your “spy mobile” or your backpack when on foot, always have clothing for any situation.) I typically have a dress, some heels and some workout clothes with me and I start out wearing jeans and a t-shirt with a reversible jacket and sneakers. This way I can be prepared for whatever comes. So in this situation I needed pretty much all three that day. (Note – It is always a good idea to pack things that are easy to change into and can fit into a backpack (pre-packed) along with whatever you may need.)
The main takeaways from this blog are as follows:
- Find a way to be as invisible as possible when performing surveillance.
- Wear dark, solid colors – no symbols or words, or patterns.
- Be as uninteresting as possible – don’t do anything that draws attention to yourself.
- Try to appear as uninterested in the Subject as possible.
- Don’t make eye contact – look at their shoes or at reflections in windows.
- Use covert cameras inside restaurants or stores so as to not draw attention to the fact that you are photographing anyone.
And finally and the least glamorous part – when you are on a long “stakeout” in your car for hours, make sure to make accommodations for long periods of time without access to a public restroom. Keep that in mind when you down that large coffee to stay awake, especially just before you are about to start the next 8 hours sitting in a car. If you do, you might not want to throw out that empty cup right away as you may need it at some point. Just saying.
Investigreat, LLC is a recognized full service Private Investigation Agency that is fully licensed, insured and bonded, handling cases all over Connecticut as well as Queens NY, Brooklyn NY, Bronx NY, New York City, Staten Island and Long Island NY. Terri, along with her husband Adam, have been working cases for Legal Teams, Insurance Companies, Private Businesses, Municipalities, School Systems and general investigation services for the public since 1992.
Investigreat, LLC | Private Investigators serving Connecticut, Long Island City, Jamaica NY, Brooklyn NY and Queens NY | Office Numbers: 860-899-1710 or 718-412-1845 | Text: 718-309-1269
*Please note – This blog is our opinion and not meant to be construed as legal advice. Always consult an Attorney for legal advice.