Private Investigations - Picking a Fixed Surveillance Spot

When planning a stationary vehicle surveillance (also known as a "fixed" surveillance) for an investigation, a smart private investigator (PI) will scope out the location ahead of time and pick a few primo spots from which to surveil. Here's a few tips for selecting a spot as well as conducting the surveillance:

Although it's important to position oneself in a location close enough to the subject's location to monitor activities, keep as much distance between you and the subject as possible. Investing in a long-distance camera lens gives you more options for how far away you can sit.

In a lengthy, days-long surveillance, it's wise to use more than one vehicle as one vehicle can become obvious.

Pick a spot where your vehicle will blend in. Your car or van should look as though it belongs where it's going to be sitting for a length of time. Use a vehicle with nondescript characteristics and without noticeable identifers such as dents, decals, customized license plates, bumper stickers, etc.

Just as your vehicle should blend in, so should the PI. Wear clothing that fits into the neighborhood and adjust your behavior to fit in, too. A baseball cap, T-shirt, and shorts would stand out in a ritzy downtown neighborhood, but fit right in a sports stadium parking lot.

In a residential surveillance, neighbors typically notice any new vehicles parked on their streets, so besides picking a spot, also plan your cover. Some PIs have magnetic signs, business cards, even flyers as a pretext for why they're there. If asked, they might say they're conducting a survey, looking for a lost dog, creating a videotape for a realtor, etc.).

Last tip: For a long stationary vehicle surveillance, bring supplies such as a watch, food (avoid anything salty), water, a cup, change of clothes for any weather changes, and personal medications. Also, remember to fill up the gas tank before the surveillance.

By applying the above tips, and planning the location, props, covers, vehicle, and supplies, a PI can conduct an intelligent, well-prepared fixed surveillance.

Colleen Collins-Kaufman and her business partner run Highlands Investigations & Legal Services, Inc. in Colorado, which specializes in asset/background searches, criminal/civil investigations, domestic relations, financial fraud, personal injury, skiptracing, and surveillance. They can reached through their website: http://www.highlandsinvestigations.com/

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