Question Need advice on type of camera to catch a cemetery thief

[Daisy’s Grace]

Someone is stealing items from my parents’ headstone and defacing it with mud and debris. I’m looking for an outdoor, battery powered camera that doesn’t require wi-fi and is motion activated. Audio is a bonus, but not required. I’m concerned about battery life in the cold weather and unsure what size sd card would be needed. The camera will be placed about 10 feet away from my mom and dad, on my grandparents headstone.
My parents suffered a lot before death and deserve to rest in peace. It’s hard to believe anyone could be so low. Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks for reading.

 

[USAFRet]

Look into trailcams.

I do not have one, but there are many, and would seem to be good for this use.

Just a couple of sites at random.
https://www.trailcampro.com/
https://www.wildgameinnovations.com/cameras/

 

[Blackink]

Browning trail cameras are a good product.
In cold weather, use lithium batteries...

If you go with a trail camera, you can set it up in your house and test it to see how it works and to change settings accordingly.
Get one that takes regular sized SD cards too.
I'd also recommend getting a "no glow" trail camera. You don't want these crooks to see ANY red glow from the trail camera when it activates.

Trailcampro will double the mfg's warranty also.

 

[Ralston18]

I am not a lawyer and this post is not intended as legal advice.

Are other graves being defaced and robbed?

My thoughts are that you need to talk with cemetary adminstration, take photographs, and contact law enforcement.

Find out what actions they can take and what actions you can take. Filing a stolen property report etc. likely a requirement before anything can or will be done.

You can set up cameras on your own property with no question. However, doing so on someone else's property or public/cemetary property may be a different matter. Depends on where you live (not asking).

Setting up a camera only 10 feet away is very likely to lead to a damaged or stolen camera. Especially if the family headstones are being specifically targeted.

If the vandals are identified and/or caught you do not want them to get away based on some technicality or error on your part. Maybe some violation of privacy laws appliable to the cemetary. I do not know - that is why you need to ask the relevant and proper authorities. Including a lawyer working on your behalf.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

 

[Daisy’s Grace]

I am not a lawyer and this post is not intended as legal advice.

Are other graves being defaced and robbed?

My thoughts are that you need to talk with cemetary adminstration, take photographs, and contact law enforcement.

Find out what actions they can take and what actions you can take. Filing a stolen property report etc. likely a requirement before anything can or will be done.

You can set up cameras on your own property with no question. However, doing so on someone else's property or public/cemetary property may be a different matter. Depends on where you live (not asking).

Setting up a camera only 10 feet away is very likely to lead to a damaged or stolen camera. Especially if the family headstones are being specifically targeted.

If the vandals are identified and/or caught you do not want them to get away based on some technicality or error on your part. Maybe some violation of privacy laws appliable to the cemetary. I do not know - that is why you need to ask the relevant and proper authorities. Including a lawyer working on your behalf.

Just my thoughts on the matter.

Thank you for the response. I have also considered these issues. I strongly suspect my sister in law, but am not comfortable making accusations without proof. She is mentally ill from years of drug abuse and angry at my husband, so me by default. She doesn’t know my grandparents are buried there, let alone adjacent to my parents. The idea is to camouflage the cam in my grandparents floral arrangement on their headstone. The cemetery claims they don’t have cameras, because this same person did the same thing to her own mothers grave out of spite for her sister and got caught. I will have my ducks in a row when I’m ready. Thanks again, happy 2024.

 

[Daisy’s Grace]

Browning trail cameras are a good product.
In cold weather, use lithium batteries...

If you go with a trail camera, you can set it up in your house and test it to see how it works and to change settings accordingly.
Get one that takes regular sized SD cards too.
I'd also recommend getting a "no glow" trail camera. You don't want these crooks to see ANY red glow from the trail camera when it activates.

Trailcampro will double the mfg's warranty also.

I think trail cams are going to be the way to go. Thanks for the tips, wish me luck🤞

 

[Ralston18]

Trail cam - your call then.....

"Ducks in a row."

Does that include what will happen, if anything, if she is caught?

What actions are you prepared to take?

I still suggest legal advice - to avoid having it all backfire on you and family.

 

[Blackink]

The headstone and the area around it where they are buried is the property of the deceased, that plot is paid for so putting a trail camera in the floral arrangement is a good idea and shouldn't result in breaking any laws.

For info on trail cameras, go to this link: trailcampro and hover your mouse on "Information".
You'll see links to things like FAQ's, battery info, 1st time buyer's guide, and many other links that you can research.

They even have solar powered trail cameras (with battery back up, I believe) and trail cameras that will send video or pictures right to your cell phone so you won't have to go to the cemetery to retrieve the SD card.

If you do go the trail camera way, test it inside your house, both during the day and at night to see how it works and if you need to make changes to the settings.

 

[Daisy’s Grace]

Trail cam - your call then.....

"Ducks in a row."

Does that include what will happen, if anything, if she is caught?

What actions are you prepared to take?

I still suggest legal advice - to avoid having it all backfire on you and family.

I will be sure to adhere to the law. If I have proof then I will turn it over to the county sheriff. I have already called in once. I will press charges if the county or cemetery does not. Whoever it is needs to leave my dead parents alone. The dirt hasn’t even completely settled yet and I can’t even leave flowers.

 

[Daisy’s Grace]

The headstone and the area around it where they are buried is the property of the deceased, that plot is paid for so putting a trail camera in the floral arrangement is a good idea and shouldn't result in breaking any laws.

For info on trail cameras, go to this link: trailcampro and hover your mouse on "Information".
You'll see links to things like FAQ's, battery info, 1st time buyer's guide, and many other links that you can research.

They even have solar powered trail cameras (with battery back up, I believe) and trail cameras that will send video or pictures right to your cell phone so you won't have to go to the cemetery to retrieve the SD card.

If you do go the trail camera way, test it inside your house, both during the day and at night to see how it works and if you need to make changes to the settings.

Thanks so much for the link, I will check it out!