By Pamela Singleton, Sonitrol Pacific Director of Communications
Posted December 4, 2008

I attended a great workshop on public speaking several years ago. At the end of the program, we were each videotaped giving a five minute presentation. Although the camera was turned off between presenters, the instructor recommended “anytime a video camera is in the room, behave as if it were on, just in case.” Just in case we said wicked things about the person who just delivered.

Events over the past few days have caused me to amend that advice to “always behave as if you were on camera”, because, odds are whenever you’re in public, you’re on camera.

1. A stolen van was abandoned in our parking lot and Portland Police pulled our surveillance video to capture images of the suspects. As I reviewed surveillance from our office, I saw myself hitching up my stockings while waiting for the printer to spew out my documents, sneaking an extra one or two or three chocolates from the reception desk, singing Christmas Carols to myself as I work, etc.

2. The Portland Police’s secret video surveillance of people selling stolen merchandise in Downtown PDX is getting a lot of media play.

I’ve pretty much gotten used to being on camera virtually the entire time I’m in the office. After all, we are a security company and practice what we preach. However, I think the average person is less aware of how many cameras, covert and overt, are out there tracking your every move.

So, just in case you feel tempted to be naughty, remember, someone somewhere is most likely watching.