https://www.gravitasinv.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/adamvisnic-Thumbnail-3.jpeg7201280Adam Visnichttps://www.gravitasinv.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Gravitas-Investigations-black-logo-cropped-300x57.pngAdam Visnic2021-09-27 11:16:282022-11-11 12:20:48The Dos and Don’ts of Hiring a Private Investigator [VIDEO]
So, you’re a private investigator on a stakeout. It’s a bright, sunny day. You’re in your car in a fixed surveillance position, and your fraudulent Subject somehow becomes aware of you, and now your client is upset. Did you get burned because of your window tint?
The Setup
As a P.I., automotive window tints are a must – it keeps you out of view from neighbors, onlookers, and of course, your Subject. And, of course, it blocks visible light from entering your car’s interior.
But before slapping some on your windows, it’s important to know your state’s laws and general info.
Each state has laws for front, backside, rear windows, windshield, and reflectivity.
When you see data on window tint, you’ll see it categorized by percentage.
Here at Gravitas Investigations, we have a rule of thumb: The lower the percentage, the DARKER the tint, and the less sunlight can come into your car. The higher the percentage, the lighter the tint, and the more sun can come in.
I went ahead and linked to the window tinting laws in all 50 states (click here)Here’s a handy little US map for the level of tint allowed from front side windows:
Let’s take Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, for example, the states where I’m licensed.
In Kentucky, the front side window must be 35%. This means you can’t have a tint that allows less than 35% of the rays on your front side window.
It’s 18% on both the rear side and rear back windows. So you can go darker tint there.
The windshield tint allows you to place a strip of tint to the top of the car manufacturer’s “AS-1” line. What is the as1 line?
The AS-1 line extends from the “AS-1” label on most motor vehicle windshields. An actual As1 label is found on the windshield and runs parallel to the top of the windshield or at about 5 inches.
Legal window tint in Ohio is at 50% on front side windows. But any level, even limo tint, is allowed on the rear side and rear back windows. So, we can go crazy there.
Indiana legal window tint is at 30%. Legal tint in Indiana for rear window tint is also 30%. Indiana window tint law also says 30% for side windows.
My two cents: if you can, get your rear side and back windows as dark as possible.
Especially if you have an SUV or minivan, when you add dark tint to the rear windows, they don’t seem to change the look of your car that much. That’s because most factory-made large vehicles come with a high level of rear tint as it is. But if you can match the front and back window tint, I tend to go that route.
It’s visually appealing, and it makes your car blend in well.
My cars also have had the 5” band across the top of the windshield. Though some installers won’t put it there if you have a “frit” band. Those tiny little dots around the edge of your windshield.
I avoid reflective tint because it stands out – it doesn’t blend in too well. I’m not against limo or blacked-out tinting. But if you’re parked for extended periods in your car in a suburban area, it might bring more attention than less.
When it comes to the law, though, I could receive a fine for my tint. I’d be willing to pay that fine. I’ve never been pulled over or cited in my 15 years of driving with an “illegal” tint. I chalk it up to the fact that police officers aren’t looking to cite someone for window tint. It’s a minor offense, and since so many already have it, it’s not worth it for them to stop me.
So, depending on how aggressive your local PD is, it’s up to you how “illegal” you want to tint your windows.
Also, some states allow exemptions. Under some state laws, private investigators can get exemptions on window tinting.
So check your local statutes and revised code for those details.
Quick Tips
Even though you have window tint, the sun can shine, exposing your silhouette.
#1 – Ensure you angle your car to avoid direct sun glare.
I always like to park with the sun at the back of my car if I can and not blasting through the front window. In cold months, the sun is low and can do that to you.
#2 –Find some shade wherever you park.
When I find a stationary spot and park on the street, I usually try to park where there is an overhanging tree. It doubles the effectiveness of your car’s tint and prevents visible light transmission.
#3 –I always have a front window shade to block out any sun coming in the front window and any onlookers.
I get shades that you can pop in and out quickly into your front windshield.
#4 –In a van or larger vehicle, sitting in the rear seats and using window curtains are huge too.
Passersby only pay attention to who is in the driver’s seat and don’t notice people in the back seat. Curtains block out any silhouette. Also, some minivans come stocked with mesh shades that pull up from the sliding door. So you may not even need curtains on the side windows.
#5 –If you’re renting a vehicle and don’t want to use your own to save on mileage, I always ask for an SUV or minivan.
They come stocked with factory-level side windshield tinting and back window shade. The front windows aren’t tinted, but I assume I’ll be sitting in the rear of the vehicle anyways.
Over to you…
What percentage do you have in your windows? Go ahead and assess automotive window tints for all your surveillance vehicles.
Have you ever been given a ticket for illegal window tint?
Let’s talk about how you could get burned by failing to properly notify the local police while on surveillance.
This topic is gonna get some people talking from both sides.
The Setup
Should you notify the local law enforcement prior to starting surveillance, or should you not?
I’ve never come to a consensus on this topic – everyone has their own beliefs.
And that’s okay.
But the underlying issue is that the last thing I’d want a P.I. to have happen to them is that they’ll be sitting out on surveillance minding their own business, and all of sudden a cop comes rolling in behind them and blows the surveillance.
Maybe, as the cops are taking down your info or verifying your license, the Subject leaves.
Not only do they see your “suspicious” car with a cop behind it, now mentally taking a note of your car, but now you can’t follow them.
Or the neighbors know you’re in the area because of the cop, and they post a picture or comment about you being in the area on a local Facebook group or the Next Door app.
And the next thing you know, you’re burned.
I’ve had cops roll up on me all the time while on was on surveillance, even when I called them beforehand, but luckily never while my Subject left.
But, I’ve seen it happen.
The Fix
My standard policy is to call local law enforcement beforehand.
I like the idea that I can keep the police department away from my position by simply providing the dispatcher all my pertinent information, like the make and model of my car, my name, and my vehicle’s license plate number.
I typically will say something like, “Hi, this Adam Visnic, I’m a licensed private investigator, conducting surveillance in the area.”
And, just to make sure this is indeed their jurisdiction, I’ll give them a nearby address, not the Subject’s address (ever), and ask if that’s their jurisdiction.
If they say it’s theirs, I’ll tell them generalities about how long I’ll be there that day and 100% get their dispatcher ID or name.
It’s always good to have that for reference because if a cop rolls up, you can state exactly who you talked to at their office.
If it’s not, ask them who you should call.
That should do it.
I’m of the mindset that you get more flies with honey rather than vinegar and try to put a good phone voice on for them.
I wouldn’t want to pull the old “mind your business” card and tick them off.
Especially now, I just don’t want to give them a reason to check on me.
You might expect a drive-by of a cop and sometimes a quick glance or wave, but hopefully, that’s it.
On the other side of the aisle, I also understand why you wouldn’t notify cops.
They might know why you’re in the area. Maybe in a rural area or any small town, the local LEOs are related to your Subject or they hang out with them and are friends.
Or they know everyone, and they’re pissed you’re in the area on their turf.
I can count on one hand, in the dozens and dozens of cops I’ve spoken to that were legit A+ assholes.
But, many of the PIs who are watching this were former police and were never that way.
99% are nice and understanding of our job.
Some do just have it out for us, and I do know a lot of PIs who have a grievance against talking with cops.
I’ve had one cop total ask me to step out of the car, and frisk me, because I didn’t call them beforehand. One in 10 years.
The Choice
So at the end of the day, it’s really up to you.
If you do interact with a cop, be cordial and respectful as always.
If you’re carrying a concealed weapon, let them know ASAP.
And, trade business cards with them just so you know with who you had contact.
Leave them with a good taste in their mouth, because there is a chance you’ll be out there again.
As a rule, I’ll never tell the cops if they ask, who I’m watching. I’ll say instead of let’s say a workers’ comp case, it’ll become a cheating spouse case in the area.
If they get fussy, I’ll say simply (deep sigh) “I wish I could, but the case is backed by the attorney-client privilege. I promise I’d divulge that If I could.”
Over to you…
What do you do on surveillance?
Call the local police or not?
Comment below and let me know.
https://www.gravitasinv.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Notifying-Local-Police-Youtube-Thumbnail.png7201280Adam Visnichttps://www.gravitasinv.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Gravitas-Investigations-black-logo-cropped-300x57.pngAdam Visnic2021-02-25 13:14:382021-02-25 13:14:38The Reason You Got Burned: Notifying (or not notifying) Local Police
So, you’re a private investigator on surveillance and you got burned and you don’t know why. Was it because you drove past your Subject’s house too slowly?
The Setup
So, drive-by video. I learned this lesson early on in my career.
It became ingrained in my brain.
Why?
Because I was assigned to a two-person surveillance operation on workers’ compensation claimant in a rural area of Ohio. Like, we’re talking Amish country people. You’ve got horse and buggy, oxen plowing fields, and epic Amish beards.
But, the reason it was a two-man operation wasn’t that it was so rural, but because the previous investigative team (not from our firm) had been burned on it before.
So, our Claimant was already “heated up.”
And we knew why – the client had provided the previous report and video to us, so we knew what they had done wrong.
This Claimant lived on a country road, and the previous investigators had driven past the house too often, and, too slowly.
Eventually, the claimant, who had a residence with a huge bay window at the front of his house, caught on to the drive-bys.
I mean, he probably knew all his neighbors’ cars as it was, and seeing two cars he’d never seen before drive by every half-hour alerted him.
And this was all in the report – the claimant actually got into his own car and tailed the investigators out of the county.
The Problem
Look, I get it. When you first get onsite to a residence, your natural inclination is to a good establishing shot. You wanna get a shot of the house, the layout, note the plates and vehicles on-site, on top of any action that might be going on.
But that doesn’t mean driving along the road at normal speeds and then all of sudden, dropping it down to a crawl to get some drive-by footage.
That’s a disaster in the making.
So, I’m here to help.
The Fix
First, obviously, don’t ever drive by the house too slowly. There’s no reason for it.
When you do drive-bys, go at a normal speed every time. As if you were an average joe living in the area.
But when you’re shooting video, get the house in the frame early and pan left or right as you pass the house.
Also, while this is going on, zoom in at first and then zoom out wide as you pass by the house to frame everything up nicely.
It’ll take some practice to both stay on the road with one hand and pan and zoom with your camera hand.
The key is to keep it steady. Keep it level.
This isn’t shaky cam footage Jason Bourne.
If you wanna get really fancy you can get ahold of a window mount, one with a suction cup, and fix your camcorder or even a dash camera to the second-row window of your surveillance vehicle.
Press record, do the drive-by, and later edit out what’s unnecessary.
Second, especially in rural areas, limit your drive-bys to every hour or so.
You can certainly do drive-bys every half-hour, but only when you feel you need to.
Like if there have been multiple cars coming and going from the residential area, it’s lunchtime for the Claimant, or something similar.
And don’t just come back up the road in which you initially drove down. Give it time.
Driving by the house within a couple of minutes of each other is suspicious.
Instead, drive by the first time and “flank” back to your original surveillance position by going around the “block” assuming there’s another route to get to your original spot.
However, if the residence is in a hollow (like in Kentucky), like a no-outlet street, I’d limit my drive-bys to every two hours.
And, I know what you’re thinking – I could use drone footage or an unmanned surveillance camera hidden in a rock or safety cone to get static video.
Hold your horses, James Bond. That’s a video for another day.
For now, let’s just stick with the basics.
Third, hide your camera.
It may sound simple but what’s worked for me is to actually place my camera hand or monopod on the top of my left arm to stabilize and hide the camera.
I’ll do this if the residence is on my left side.
If the residence is on my right side, I’ll actually place my camera behind the passenger side headrest to get drive-by footage.
These simple methods help to prevent people from seeing my camera through my front windshield as I drive by.
This is me trying to be as casual as possible.
Lastly, and I can’t believe I have to say this but close your windows when filming drive-bys.
If you can’t get the footage because your windows are foggy or dirty, clean those things before getting onsite for crying out loud.
Overall, use the KISS method – keep it simple, stupid.
Drive by the residence like a normal person would (not too slowly!), limit drive-bys to every hour, hide your camera, and keep your windows up.
And, just in case you were wondering. Even with the knowledge of the previous investigation, we still couldn’t get much of anything on that Claimant in rural Ohio. But, at least he didn’t tail us.
Anybody wanna volunteer to take that case??
Over to you…
What ways can you prevent from getting burned?
Comment below.
https://www.gravitasinv.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Youtube-Thumbnail-1.png7201280Adam Visnichttps://www.gravitasinv.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Gravitas-Investigations-black-logo-cropped-300x57.pngAdam Visnic2021-02-24 14:22:252021-02-24 14:22:25The Reason You Got Burned: Driving By Too Slowly
Have you ever had your Subject look in the rearview mirror at you?
Slow down on the highway?
Do a U-turn right in front of you?
You might be burned and it may have been because you were tailing your Subject too closely.
The Setup
As a disclaimer, if you’re not licensed as a private investigator, please don’t go out and start following people. Just cause you watched this, doesn’t give you the right to tail someone. Serious consequences will follow if you get caught.
Additionally, this is for training and practice purposes only – just use it for entertainment.
Watch the video above for details on how to follow your Subject on surveillance.
The Four Big Takeaways
First, use a buffer car. Avoiding your Subject’s ability to see your car’s profile in their rearview mirror is huge. A buffer car is a car between you and your Subject. Use them whenever you can.
Second, to avoid staying behind or getting too close, use other lanes. And then circle back as I did.
Third, don’t stop unnecessarily just because they did. The guy pulled a u-turn, and just parked in front of his house. The temptation was to stop, capture some video, and perhaps make it obvious that he’s being followed. Instead, I proceeded onward, knowing he was parking and allowed him to exit out of view.
Fourth, know your map. Have a GPS or your phone mounted on your dash up so you know the lay of the land. Is your Subject turning down a no-outlet street? Getting near the highway? Heading back home? You’ll need to know in advance, and knowing the roads in your city and state is a must.
Over to You…
What ways have avoided getting burned on mobile surveillance?
What methods have worked for you?
Comment below. Let me know.
https://www.gravitasinv.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Youtube-Thumbnail-The-Reason-You-Got-Burned-Following-Too-Closely.png7201280Adam Visnichttps://www.gravitasinv.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Gravitas-Investigations-black-logo-cropped-300x57.pngAdam Visnic2021-02-24 13:56:412021-02-24 13:56:41The Reason You Got Burned: Following Too Closely
https://www.gravitasinv.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/PI-Perspectives.png7201280Adam Visnichttps://www.gravitasinv.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Gravitas-Investigations-black-logo-cropped-300x57.pngAdam Visnic2020-07-14 11:09:492020-07-14 11:09:49PI Perspectives: Preparing to Testify with Adam Visnic [Podcast]
https://www.gravitasinv.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/Camera-Types.png11522048Adam Visnichttps://www.gravitasinv.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Gravitas-Investigations-black-logo-cropped-300x57.pngAdam Visnic2020-06-16 13:46:282020-06-29 10:35:08We Asked 40 P.I.s “What Camera Is In Your Bag?” Here Are Their Answers
https://www.gravitasinv.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/Old-School-v-New-School.png5121024Adam Visnichttps://www.gravitasinv.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Gravitas-Investigations-black-logo-cropped-300x57.pngAdam Visnic2018-11-28 11:15:582020-04-28 09:56:52Old School vs. New School
So, I asked my fellow bloggers and auto junkies at Jalopnik, “What Car Should I Buy?”
It’s a weekly segment they do: these dudes (NOT SALESMEN) help REAL people find ACTUAL vehicles for sale.
And then they hilariously write about it.
Check out their advice for me.
“Adam is a private investigator who spends hours behind the wheel getting the scoop and tracking bad guys. He needs a ride that is good for work and family, something that can blend in but still looks professional. What car should he buy?
Unlike Magnum P.I., Adam doesn’t work in Hawaii, and for him to nab the bad guys, stealth, patience, and diligence are key. Therefore, he needs one that he can spend a lot of time in, but won’t be noticed easily.
Here is the scenario:
I’m a private investigator and business owner who needs both a surveillance vehicle for tracking down bad guys out in the field, but one that also doubles as respectable business owner’s ride for when I pull up to sales calls and client meetings. My current SUV (a 2006 GMC Envoy Denali) is at 200,000 miles and like any one at that mileage, needs to be replaced.
I’ve got a budget of about $20,000 and the biggest thing is this car must be unremarkable. It’s got to blend in. No sports cars, nothing weird or funky. Also, in addition to hauling my gear, I use the car to tote my family around to events and such so it needs to be practical as well.”
Tell me which one I should BUY in the COMMENTS below!!
https://www.gravitasinv.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/What-Car-Should-I-Buy-3.jpg475800Adam Visnichttps://www.gravitasinv.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Gravitas-Investigations-black-logo-cropped-300x57.pngAdam Visnic2017-03-24 10:15:402020-04-15 07:50:19I’m A Private Eye Looking For A Stealthy Ride For $20,000! What Car Should I Buy?
