D.Ariz.: Use of a pole camera for surveillance from off property not a violation of REP

Surveillance of comings and goings to defendant’s apartment with a pole camera does not constitute a “trespass” under Jones. United States v. Brooks, 911 F. Supp. 2d 836 (D. Ariz. 2012):

Additionally, as argued by the Government, despite a block wall that could potentially act as an enclosure or barrier that could obstruct the view of a person standing on the outside of the Westgate complex, the typical focal point of the pole camera was visible to any passerby inside the complex or to any person in the arena parking lot. In fact, Detective Kinsey testified that the complex’s outer wall also had iron openings that allowed for easy visibility of Building “L” for someone standing outside of the complex. Defendant presented no evidence to rebut Detective Kinsey’s testimony that he could simply walk into the complex from the street, leaving Defendant’s assertions about the apartment community’s keypad access as insufficient to show that there were special features or activities associated with the Westgate complex parking lot to support a reasonable expectation of privacy in the parking lot.

The evidence points to the fact that a person would not be required to be a complex resident to see the “comings and goings” at the Glendale Apartment, and any expectation of privacy by Defendant in the complex parking lot in front of Building “L” from surveillance was unreasonable. Therefore, law enforcement’s use of the pole camera did not violate the Fourth Amendment and, thus, there was no need for law enforcement to seek a warrant before using the camera.

Defendant had been Mirandized and told he could refuse consent, so his consent is found voluntary. United States v. Brooks, 2012 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 168734 (D. Ariz. November 28, 2012).*