Condo owner sees $73,000 court order
Condo Owner’s Use of Ring Doorbell and Legal Battles
As reported by Jason Stoogenke of WSOC-TV and Haleluya Hadero with Associated Press
Teywonia Byrd, a resident of Fat City Condos, faced a traumatic experience when she was drugged and assaulted. To feel safer, she installed a Ring camera on her door. However, her condo Association denied her request to keep it, citing privacy concerns for other residents. Despite this, Byrd kept the camera, leading to daily fines of $100, accumulating over several years.
The HOA’s lawyers argued that the issue was about privacy, not door modifications, stating Byrd could have installed cameras inside her unit. Byrd sued the HOA but lost the case and now owes $73,000, with additional legal fees potentially bringing the total to $188,000. Both sides mentioned that the HOA offered to settle if Byrd removed the camera, but she refused, prioritizing her safety over money.
Earlier this year, Amazon’s Ring decided cease allowing police to request footage through its Neighbors app, following privacy concerns. This change, announced January, 2024, is aimed to to reduce unwarranted surveillance and racial profiling. Police can still access footage with warrants or in emergencies, but Ring’s transparency has increased following past criticisms and legal challenges over privacy breaches.
Commentary:
Did you know that Wisconsin has laws about what real estate owners can do with recording and surveillance when selling their property? This includes recording people during private showings, open houses, or other viewings as part of trying to sell the property
Read about Wisconsin statute 995.60 here
Condo associations should carefully consider their policies to balance individual security and community privacy. Clear guidelines and transparent communication can help prevent conflicts like Byrd’s case. Policies may want to consider technological advancements while ensuring residents feel safe and respected. Flexibility in security measures, such as allowing internal cameras, could provide a compromise that meets the needs of both residents and the condo association for life simpler.
