An investigation is underway by the Montclair Police after a family eating at Manny’s Diner reported a video camera was taping inside the Unisex bathroom.
Sources report the mother's little daughter, about 2 - 3 years of age, discovered the video camera and showed her mother.
Sources say that at the time of the alleged incident, another police officer happened to be there, and assisted a distraught mother, who had been in the bathroom with her daughter.
Sources report a video camera was discovered and removed. As to where the alleged video camera was located in the bathroom, and how it was hidden, remains unclear at this time. However, numerous sources told this reporter the video camera was taping people going to the bathroom.
It is also reported by other witnesses that one adult male, reported to be a manager, and one juvenile boy were questioned and are allegedly persons of interest at this time.
There is no official word yet from the police, since this just occurred Friday night, July 17, at the popular casual diner located on Church Street.
The matter is under investigation.
All allegations are simply that, and do not prove anyone is guilty of a crime until charged with a crime and proven guilty.
New Jersey law, as cited online, states, "Several states, including New Jersey, have laws prohibiting the use of hidden cameras only in certain circumstances, such as in locker rooms or restrooms, or for the purpose of viewing a person in a state of partial or full nudity. In New Jersey, N.J.S.A. 2C:14-6 (entitled “Invasion of Privacy”) makes it a third-degree crime to videotape, record, or otherwise reproduces in any manner or to disclose any videotape, recording, or any other reproduction of “the image of another person whose intimate parts are exposed or who is engaged in an act of sexual penetration or sexual contact, without that person’s consent and under circumstances in which a reasonable person would not expect to be observed.”
Since children utilize this bathroom, as well as adults, there may be additional invasion of privacy laws pertaining to minors being exposed and filmed as well, which may hold more severe penalties.
Once the official police report is released, this newspaper will write an update.
Calls to the manager at Manny’s Diner were not returned. Staff said the manager was “in a meeting”.
The owner was not present at the time of my call, and was not present at the time of the incident.
Updates to follow.
