Body cameras for field work?

I really hope that it never gets to the point where I feel I need a bodycam for everyday work.

Although I don't do much residential work, maybe I'd feel differently otherwise.

I agree, but something happened last week that got me thinking it might be time.

I work solo and was approached by an irate adjoiner. Luckily, I was able to deescalate the situation but I would love to have that encounter on video.

Just thinking if I hadn't been able to calm him down it could have gone bad. It was just me and him so his word against mine.

Personal safety, this is another reason that I don't run one man crews. I don't think that a body cam would have benefited in the situation, it could have potentially escalated an irate person's behaviors if they knew what it was.

I live in a concealed carry state, I haven't been in the field for almost a decade with the exception of site visits/meetings and helping crews trouble shoot. If I were working solo, I would be packing, for sure.

Chris,

I agree with all of that. If I were in a situation where I had to defend myself I think having video of it would be an advantage.

None of us are looking for trouble while we are in the field, but sometimes it just happens and we are there in middle of it.

Another use for that body cam if you are walking the bounds and it is getting video as you walk and you could simply review it and say why didn’t I see that blazed tree or whatever as you can miss things. Where I am they have introduced these 360 cameras the crews walk the site with and such. I have not used one yet just saw all the 360 panoramic walk through which was neat. Could even read the stakes and such. We live in a different world for sure.

One man operation going on 22 years. I work in high crime rate areas regularly. About 5 years ago I had a deranged man get in my face and threatened to kill me. That night I ordered a body cam and have worn it every day since I received it. There were several instances where it was beneficial to have it.

KT_88,

Thank you for sharing that.

Has anyone ever questioned for wearing? Or has wearing it caused any trouble or issues?

Curious, which cam you would recommend?

I bought the $30 one on Amazon to try out. I plan on getting a more durable, longer lasting camera after I use the cheap one a few weeks.

OleManRiver, That's cool.

I will have it on collecting video while in the field. I always take a bunch of pictures. It will actually save me a little time, I think.

Yeah they say a picture is worth a 1,000 words. I am not opposed to the taking pictures for sure. I think it’s great. I had a job I did and the LS in charge wanted us to walk around slowly with our phones videoing say cl of road after we located then curb then sidewalk etc etc. in the order we shot everything. Yeah you cannot make a budget doing that and it’s just to much micromanaging. So I took the hit on the chin and protected the crew chiefs lol. I said get me some pictures and good ones of areas that a lot is going on but it takes a while to re walk everything completely with your phone. lol.

I purchased this off of Amazon and clip it to my survey vest's shoulder mic loop. It has GPS capabilities, long battery life and adequate storage. It does bounce around a lot so you may want hold still if you want a stabile video or come up with a more anchored arrangement.

In my proposal I list the following:

"Body Cam Video Notification – At the discretion of the CONSULTANT, a body camera may be worn by staff during the course of the field survey to record activities. Please note that any discussions with field staff may be recorded."

I do get stares from bystanders from time to time but no one has ever asked me about it. There has been a few occasions where someone saw it and left the area immediately.

Thanks a ton for your experience KT_88!

I like the proposal clause. I will add that to mine.

I guess it depends on the area you are working in. I've worked on a few inner-city redevelopment projects in some pretty shady areas where a body cam would put you at more risk.

I always tried to get into those areas as early as possible and get out before noon when the crackheads started waking up. The all seemed to think that we were taking pictures with the gun. I can't tell you how many times the dealers threatened me, most would think that you were a narc if they saw a body camera and that wouldn't be pretty.

Very interesting thread. interested in seeing more perspectives on this issue. I never considered it. I can think of situations that it would have helped and others that i think it would have been detrimental.

I thought about this hard today. I went out to walk a site and flag up and just get an idea of what it was like before sending crews next week . I ended up kicking up most corners as I walked it so flagging them up. Well as I was down in the woods looking for a corner here comes a fellow with a nice stick and pointing at me. I usually don’t get to skittish and he was no yelling but talking. But have you ever looked into someone’s eyes and just knew this is not a person I want to set off. He went on with some crazy ideas. I think he had some issues so I just tried to keep my distance and be calm. He explained a lot to me. Not his property nor did he have any interest in it or adjoining land. But he was out there. All I could think of is my escape if things go south. Thank goodness as we walked and talked and I hit the clearing a police officer came up and asked what we were doing. I walked to the officer and handed him my card and told him I was doing a boundary survey etc. he asked was that guy with me I said no sir. We looked back the guy was gone. He said I needed to be aware around that area some strange folks. I will never leave my bush axe again lol.