TROLLEY CAM

When following a subject who is claiming back injuries, if they enter a supermarket, consider setting up “TROLLEY CAM”:

Get a shopping trolley, preferably one with an advertising sign fixed to the front, which assists in concealing cameras

Place a few items inside the trolley, particularly a case of soft drink cans, cereal boxes or similar flat objects lying on their sides – near the front of the trolley

Place the video camera on the box, close to the front of the trolley. Preferably use a covert housing such as a fitted bag, or use covert camera that films through a pin-hole

Keep the lens close to the wire bars, and roughly in between them, else they may obscure the image

Fold out the screen so the image is easily seen

Pull back the zoom so it is on almost wide angle

If you cannot see or use the screen – ensure you manually set the focus to three metres or similar, otherwise you may find the auto-focus mechanism decides to focus only on the bars in front of the trolley, hence the subject will be out of focus

Start recording

Consider occasionally looking down at the screen to ensure the camera is operating correctly, and the shot is framed precisely

Consider using a small item to temporarily cover the small display screen – enabling you to easily check it discreetly without disturbing the camera, while concealing it when it is not being used

Consider using small items to assist in angling the camera correctly, using them to raise the front of the camera if required

Approach the subject, wheeling your trolley towards them

Progressively select small items from the shelves, placing them into the trolley to maintain your shopping cover

Don’t make eye contact with them, but continually look at the shelves as if seeking items or comparing prices

As they move, move with them, keeping the camera pointed at them at all times

Monitor the camera regularly

Is the focus still correct?

Is the shot still framed correctly?

Is the battery flat or have you run out of tape?

If possible, leave the trolley and walk away from the subject slightly, reducing or limiting your personal exposure. The “trolley-cam” can continue to record them without you. Continue moving the trolley when the subject has gone out of the shot.

Perhaps the most important shot to get is the checkout shot. Be sure to be ready for this. On approaching the checkout, make sure you have a clear shot of them unloading all their goods from the trolley on to the counter

After they have finished loading all their goods at the checkout, do not wait for them to pay as this is your cue to relocate. Wheel your trolley out of sight, and then walk out of the store. If stopped by staff or security, your excuse may be ‘I forgot my wallet. I’m just going to get it from the car’. Show them your bag if necessary

Once you have used “trolley cam”, do not attempt to continue following the subject to other shops, as you will probably have had too much exposure by then. Return to the surveillance vehicle and await the subject’s return. Use the time to prepare the situation in order to get the best possible video evidence of them loading their shopping into the car

Consider terminating surveillance of the subject as soon as they have finished loading their car, then rush back to their home to arrive there just before they do. This will enable you to set up and be ready for their arrival, enabling a clear shot of them returning home, as well as unloading the shopping. If you actually follow them home, you may be identified by the subject (‘he was right behind me in the shops’), you may lose the subject, you may miss some of the unloading action or you may be observed arriving in location by the subject who is out of their vehicle, and possibly more aware of their surroundings. Being ready and waiting for their imminent arrival from the shops means you are not forced to jostle for a good parking position outside their house when you should be capturing the action of their arrival and unload. Good PI’s always think about how to get the best result, while novice PI’s often feel they must stick to their subject like glue. Giving your subject a little room to run sometimes is a good idea, and allows you to both better prepare for future activity as well as get you out of their subconscious vision

© Chris Cooper

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