SPI FL BLOG

Gadget Highlight: Tissue Box Style SleuthGear Recluse

SPIfl — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 01:26:48 +0000

Looking for a really inconspicuous way to film something? Check out this tissue box! “Inside this ordinary looking tissue box is actually a motion activated camera, with a recording D1 HI resolution 720 X480 system using a SD card for memory, the tissue box SleuthGear recluse can go anywhere and record everything without attracting any attention. Just set the tissue box in your desired location and begin recording.”

CHECK IT OUT HERE ON IRBSTORE.COM

http://www.irbstore.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=ISSC1076

The IRB Store

SPIfl — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 01:20:49 +0000

If you’re a Private Investigator or Process Server you may be familiar with the website IRBsearch.com.

Well, they also have an online store full of interesting and helpful gadgets!

We’ll highlight some of the items available on our blog, but if you’d like, go ahead and SHOP NOW.

IRBsearch

SPIfl — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 01:24:36 +0000

IRBsearch is a great resource for Investigators to obtain various types of information.

Visit the IRBsearch website

“IRBsearch^® is a market leader for providing online risk assessment information to private investigators, process servers, bail bondsmen, judgment recovery and repossession specialists. With one click customers can search billions of records in just a fraction of a second.”

New York Process Servers Rallying Against Proposed GPS Laws

SPIfl — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 04:07:17 +0000

Article by: ServeNow.com (Click to read article on their website)

New York Process Servers Rallying Against Proposed GPS Laws

New York process servers are feeling the squeeze as they struggle with the new GPSproposal issued by the Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA). GPS laws have been a hot topic of discussion for more than a year but the idea was temporarily shelved while the DCA decided whether and how to move forward. Now the DCA has outlined its GPSrecommendations, causing many process servers to resent the implications and to ponder how small agencies will survive financially.

The proposed GPS rule
The new proposed rule mandates that process servers in New York must carry with them an electronic device that records the time, date and location of each serve. This device will need to transmit this information to a third-party provider with whom the process server or agency has contracted service. The rule also requires that the third-party contractor be able to store the digital data for a period of seven years. The DCAsays that process servers must be able to furnish records at any time, and that the records should be able to presented in the form of interactive street maps if requested.

Along with the time, date and location of serve attempts, the DCA wants each digital record to be labeled with:

GPS or cellular network date and military time maintained by the mobile device;
DCA license number of the process server;
DCA license number of the process serving agency that distributed the process for service;
Name of the plaintiff or petitioner;
Name of the defendant or respondent;
Docket number, if any;
Name of the person to whom process is delivered; and
Unique file identifier of the process being served

The objections
The proposed rules are aimed at preventing further incidents of “sewer service,” but process servers have voiced objections about the damaging effects on small agencies. For example, process server agencies that are run by as few as one or two people will be forced to shell out money for GPS technology, as well as pay a third-party provider to store the data for seven years. The small-business owners, whose time truly does equal money since their revenue is earned from serving papers, will also have to spend valuable time entering data for records.

The GPS regulations combined with other costly laws that have already passed in New York – such as the requirement to get a $10,000 bond for individuals or a $100,000 bond for agencies – add up to a financial burden that many small process server operations simply can’t afford. The New York State Professional Process Servers Association (NYSPPSA) says that larger agencies are already beginning to move into New York in anticipation of snapping up work vacated by small agencies that are put out of business.

In addition to the financial costs, some New York process servers also feel that being required to carry GPS at all times undermines a process server’s word that they conducted valid service of process. For years a process server’s signed affidavit has been trusted proof of service, but now a process server’s word is only as good as the digital record to back it up.

The 2 types of subpoenas:

SPIfl — Sat, 08 Jan 2011 14:51:29 +0000

Definition of Subpoena: A writ by a government agency, most often a court, that has authority to compel testimony by a witness or production of evidence under a penalty for failure.

There are two common types of subpoena:
subpoena ad testificandum: It literally means “to testify under penalty”. It orders a person to testify at a particular location, before the ordering authority or face punishment.
subpoena duces tecum: It literally means “bring with you under penalty”. It orders a person or organization to bring physical evidence to a particular location, before the ordering authority or face punishment.

Surveillance Survival Kit

SPIfl — Mon, 03 Jan 2011 05:34:13 +0000

Surveillance is one of the most unpredictable jobs we come across. Some days we can sit and watch a building, person, car, etc… for hours and hours and hours with no activity, OR, others we’re sent on a wild goose chase all over town starting the second we arrive at our location. That being said, it’s important to be well prepared for any situation. We’ve put together a “Surveillance Survival Guide” that each of our investigators keep nearby in the event that we’re called out on an unexpected job.

The easiest way to store all these items is to buy a large plastic tub to contain them so they don’t end up all over your vehicle.

SURVIVAL KIT:

Cell Phone
Hands Free Device (Bluetooth or Headphones)
Navigation System
Investigator License
Binoculars
Video Camera
Video Camera Charger
Extra Video Camera Tapes
Cell Phone Charger
Car Plug Power Outlet Inverter
Windshield Visor
Bottled water
Non perishable foods
Napkins & Wipes
Trash Bags
Large Disposable Cups (Give it a few hours… You’ll figure out what they’re for)
Pen and Notepad
Scissors
Cash ($50 or more)
Quarters ($5 of more)
Disguises (Wigs, Glasses, Hats, Jackets, Uniforms)
Full Tank of Gas!

A Dog-Gone Subpoena

SPIfl — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 19:23:03 +0000

I had been given the challenge of serving process to a man that NO ONE could seem to track down. He had used several different addresses, throughout the state, as his home address and wasn’t living at any of them. After several interviews with some of his past and present contacts, I was able to find the home where he resides. I was authorized to conduct surveillance on that residence until he exited his home and service could be made. I had planned to run up to him the moment I saw his front door or garage open. After a few hours of surveillance, the garage door finally opened and I jumped out of my car and headed up to meet him. He had 2 huge, very hyperactive and well groomed dogs inside the house that darted outside and headed straight for my car! That’s when I noticed I had left my door open because I had gotten out so quickly. The next thing I noticed the dogs were jumping and sniffing inside my car from the front seat to the back seat and back again! He pulled them out of my vehicle, we had a laugh together, then I immediately got in my car and headed out. That was quite the adventure and I spent more time with the evasive man than I would have imagined as I waited to serve him!

– Investigator Queen Bee

Private Investigator Luncheon

SPIfl — Thu, 09 Dec 2010 04:17:36 +0000

Today our staff attended a lunch for Private Investigators in Sarasota, FL. The guest speaker was a female Special Agent that works in the Criminal Investigations department of Homeland Security Investigations. (HSI) She explained several things about her career as a Criminal Investigator that we found to be quite fascinating. She worked the borders in California for several years and told us stories about finding every type of drug imaginable stashed and hidden in every place imaginable in efforts to smuggle it into the United States. She also dealt with the constant influx of immigrants trying to enter the country illegally. She once had 6 people hand her their documentation and each paper had the exact same thumb print. They confessed that they had bought the documents for $150 each. She also told us about a huge x-ray van HSI has that takes x-rays of vehicles. Once, as she was viewing the machine, she saw six bodies hiding in the panels of a truck. She also has come face to face with the issue of Human Trafficking, which is basically modern day slavery. She shared a heart breaking experience she had when she was called to pick up a 2 year old boy (who was suppose to be sold), but was found wandering alone in the streets of the city. The sale didn’t go through and he was just dumped and left for dead. She works hard to keep various illegal activity out of America, while also trying to catch the people who are trying to bring it in. She and HSI are doing an incredible job protecting our country from so many things that have the potential to destroy it and we really enjoyed the opportunity to hear her speak.

FALI’s legislative & regulatory history

SPIfl — Mon, 06 Dec 2010 08:54:06 +0000

Florida’s Association of Licensed Investigators, also know as FALI, works hard to represent investigators through out the state. They are actively making sure that laws and legislation are in place to assist investigators in their cases.

Below is a list of what FALI has accomplished since 1994:

·Defeat bills that would have restricted access to Social Security Numbers to Licensed Florida Private Investigators

·Assisted Department of Revenue in crafting a refund procedures for insurance companies requesting sales-tax refunds that made sense for private investigators.

·Worked on extended the Class A Agency licenses from a 2 year to a 3 year license with no addition cost increase.

·Defeated the attempts to move our licensing under DOL (with only 3 professions regulated under 493.)to the DBPR (where we would have been lost an possibly minimized among the 34 + services and industries)

·Defeated bills to reduce fees that would be charged to do abandoned property work in Florida

·Assisted in working out a reciprocal agreements with other states for Licensed Florida Private Investigators to work on a temporary basis.

·Prevented the passage of 137 of the 138 bills restricting and designed to close public records access for Licensed Private Investigators.

·Worked with DOL on budget reductions that proposed the closing of 6 DOL Offices statewide.

·Again assisted and or defeated 130 bills out of 153 that closed access to public records. The 23 bills that passed had no real impact on the Licensed Private Investigator.

·Presented and spoke before the Governor’s Study Committee on Public Records emphasizing the need for public records to remain available for Professional Licensed Investigators.

·Assisted in repealing the DOL insurance requirement for private investigators of non-essential coverage.

·Proposed and passed the window tint restriction for private investigators and agency owned vehicles

·Defeated 37 bills limiting access to public records for private investigators again

For the full article visit: http://www.fali.org/?page=LegislativeOverview

PRIVATE INVESTIGATOR NETWORKING LUNCH

SPIfl — Sat, 04 Dec 2010 07:31:55 +0000

Sarasota PI Lunch

When:	12/7/2010 11:30:00 AM
Where:	Map this event » Café Baci 4001 South Tamiami Trail Sarasota, Florida 34231 United States
Contact:	Lynette Revill (LRpi@aol.com) RSVP necessary

The Details…

Our Special Agent Speaker has a schedule to maintain.
SPEAKER: US Federal Special Agent ICE/HSI/ICE (Immigration Customs Enforcement) HSI (Homeland Security Investigations)
TOPIC: Discuss an overview of Homeland Security Investigations and the types of investigations (HSI) conducts.

LOCATION: Café Baci 4001 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231 (941) 921-4848
http://www.cafebaci.net PRICE: Choose from the lunch menu; a variety of priced items.
RSVP Today. If planning on attending please contact Lynette Revill at LRpi@aol.com or call 941-929-9225

The restaurant requires an accurate head count to determine how many servers they need. All Investigators Welcome! Come and introduce yourself to other private investigators in your area. Bring an associate and/or intern. Great networking opportunity! Great Speaker! Special door prizes! See you soon!

For more info visit: http://www.fali.org/events/event_details.asp?id=136475