Kokua Line June Watanabe

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Fitting room at Macy's has no cameras

Question: While at Macy's I overheard a customer ask a clerk if she needed to check in the items she was taking to the dressing room. The clerk replied, "That's all right, we have cameras." Does Macy's have the cameras directly in the dressing rooms? Are they filming us while we undress? How about other stores?

Answer: You must have misunderstood the salesclerk.

We were at Macy's Ala Moana recently and saw a sign that said, "Attention. Although our fitting rooms are regularly patrolled by Macy's sales associates and loss prevention personnel, please keep your valuables with you at all times."

But, "Macy's does not have cameras in our dressing rooms," a spokeswoman said. "At Macy's we respect the privacy rights of our customers and associates."

There would be concerns about a violation of privacy rights if any store had cameras where people undressed.

Such a case has never come up, said Jim Fulton, spokesman for the Honolulu prosecuting attorney's office.

He pointed to state law covering privacy violations (Hawaii Revised Statutes, Chapter 711-1110.9 and 711-1111). Depending on the circumstance, it could be a first- or second-degree violation of privacy if someone "installs or uses, or both, in any private place, without consent of the person or persons entitled to privacy therein, any device for observing, recording, amplifying, or broadcasting" someone in "a state of undress or sexual activity."

If a customer feels there has been a violation, Fulton said it should be reported to the police. "That's the only way we can look at or determine if there is something" illegal going on, he said.

Because of shoplifting and security concerns, security cameras are commonplace in all types of businesses.

"But, I'm not aware of, and I'd be really surprised if that were carried over to the fitting rooms because of huge liability concerns," said Carol Pregill, executive director of the Retail Merchants of Hawaii.

Some stores might have signs indicating that the fitting rooms could be "monitored" by employees. "You can't argue with that because the sign and disclosure is there," Pregill said. "The reality is that that's where a lot of the shoplifting takes place."

Although having a camera where people go in and out of a dressing area "would be reasonable," she said, "I seriously doubt that there would something in the fitting room."

Auwe

To whoever hit the back of my car when I was stopped at Kamehameha IV Road and North School Street. All the information you gave me was false, and I was foolish not to check at that time. I trusted you. Your wife was in the front seat of your truck, and your children were in the bed. What a poor example you are for them. But remember what goes around, comes around. You might be stuck with a big repair bill next time. I can sleep at night, can you? -- A Senior Citizen