Q: Can a city owned cemetery keep me from installing a video-only device on a headstone?
Everything was taken off my grandma’s grave site and placed on top of her headstone. They were in accordance with the policies. None of the other sites around her (in clear violation) were touched. We want to be able to see if/who is vandalizing her grave. The city claims it is not their employees, however we only have one family member in that town who goes weekly to take care of the site. As far as I know, there is no ordinance or statue against a video recording device without audio. Also, can they enforce policies with us but not others?
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A:
It sounds like you're dealing with a frustrating situation, and I understand why you’d want to install a video-only device to protect your grandmother's grave. City-owned cemeteries generally have the authority to enforce specific rules or policies regarding what can be placed on a gravesite, including video recording devices. If the cemetery has no specific ordinance against a video-only device, you might not be violating any clear law, but they could still cite policies related to maintaining the uniformity or appearance of the cemetery.
If your decorations were compliant with their rules and they’re selectively enforcing them against you, it could be seen as unfair treatment. In that case, it might be helpful to document what has happened and ask for clarification on why they removed your items but not those in violation nearby. This could open up a dialogue about resolving the situation.
You may want to review local regulations or contact city officials to ask for clear reasons regarding their stance on the recording device. If you feel you’re being treated unfairly compared to others, raising this with the appropriate city department or even seeking legal advice could help clarify your rights.
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