WASHINGTON — Citing outrage from members, VIDA Fitness is canceling plans to install surveillance cameras in the men’s locker room of its Logan Circle location and pulling surveillance cameras out of the locker rooms of its U Street location where they have been in use for 60 days.
Owner David von Storch told WUSA9 in a text message video from the U Street surveillance cameras recently led to the arrest of a thief and his accomplice, but “the blowback in the last 24 hours has been too great” to move forward with the surveillance camera plan.
The gym says the cameras are necessary to prevent crime.
In an email to members Wednesday afternoon, VIDA wrote, “Although our approach is both legal and proven to catch and deter theft, the bottom line is you are uncomfortable with it. This is your club and your input is paramount. We will not have video surveillance of the sink area and walkway of the Men’s Locker Room. We will still have security cameras at the entrance to the locker rooms, but nothing that captures anything in the locker room itself.”
VIDA says it will also be stepping up our enforcement with regular walkthroughs and staffing locker room attendants.
The gym faced allegations of invasion of privacy from some of its members after announcing plans to install surveillance cameras in the men’s locker room of its Logan Street location.
DC’s Office of the Attorney General says it has received at least eight complaints from members over the locker room surveillance cameras. An OAG spokesperson would not confirm if it was investigating.
Von Storch said the video feed would not be visible on any monitor in the club. Video would only be accessed when a theft has been reported. Only male members of management are allowed to review video under those circumstances in the presence of DC Police.
“We are very mindful about those who worry about their privacy,” von Storch said in his text thread to WUSA9 when asked about the issue Tuesday. “We weigh those factors against the need to provide security and safety for our members.”
Von Storch said as a private facility, security cameras are allowed in locker rooms.
“Being filmed anywhere in the club is allowed," von Storch clarified in his text messages. "Do I think it’s an invasion of privacy? No. I don’t see how the set up outlined above is an invasion of privacy."
According to D.C. law, it is unlawful for a person to electronically record an individual who is “using a bathroom or restroom” or “totally or partially undressed or changing clothes” unless the person or business recording has “the express and informed consent of the individual being recorded.” But the law does not apply “where there are signs prominently displayed informing persons that the entire premises or designated portions of the premises are under surveillance.”
Von Storch told WUSA9 that the surveillance cameras in men's locker rooms were vetted by DC Police and VIDA's legal counsel and "contains very specific information on protocols and where the cameras will be placed." But, he admitted communication of the new policy could have been handled better by the company.
“It's an unforced error and our members personal effects won’t be as safe," von Storch said in a text message to WUSA9 after making the decision to end plans to use locker room surveillance cameras. “But the blowback was so intense.”