When you’re at the swimming pool, it’s a time for swimming, splashing, and fun.
With family and friends, it’s even a great time to catch some scenic photos of loved ones having a great time.
You expect to see cameras and smartphones taking some discreet pictures or videos.
Not a new problem, but some people take advantage of the people swimming or tanning to take compromising shots.
When people are knowingly scantily clad in public–people will argue what level of responsibility they have for the way they present themselves.
However, when others take advantage of that–let’s be clear, the predator is the aggressor!
At the pool, I saw this taken to a whole new level today–and by someone and in a way I would not have expected.
This older-looking guy, with a hat on, strolls up to the pool with a huge tripod mounted video camera on a WALKER and starts taking rolling video on a pool almost exclusively filled with little children.
There was no warning, no request–“may I”, no do you mind, just a video camera mounted on a walker at the head of the pool with lots of little kids, and also some teens, women, and more.
First, I watched to see what this guy was doing…then I thought, I better capture this and I took a series of photographs of the guy–who had no apparent compunction about invading everyones privacy.
But the story isn’t over–it get’s worse.
All of a sudden, I notice my computer picking up a wireless network with a name that self identified them with a clear inclination for child pornography (I am withholding the actual name so as not to tip off the criminal). I capture this too–with a screenshot. Was it the same guy with mounted video camera or someone else?
So much for a relatively serene vacation, and some quiet private time.
I just saw Dateline’s “To Catch A Predator” early this week and I almost can’t believe this is happening. I think to myself–is this real? Unfortunately it is.
I reported both incidents to hotel security. At their request, I email them the screenshot of the wireless network name that would make anyone cringe. Next call is to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and CyberCrime.com.
Normally, I believe in live and let live, but we all have to do our part to protect children and other innocent victims.
andyblumenthal 