A Washington, D.C., gym has paused plans to install surveillance cameras in its facility's men's locker rooms after pushback from members.
According to WUSA9, VIDA Fitness is facing allegations of invasion of privacy from some of its members after announcing plans to install surveillance cameras in some of its locker rooms. The gym says the cameras are necessary to prevent crime.
Owner David von Storch sees things differently.
“We have an ongoing and serious theft problem in the men’s locker room, and we have found that putting cameras in the sink and walking areas... is the best way to deter theft,” Von Storch said in a text message to WUSA9.
Von Stoch said the gym has no plans to install the cameras in areas where men are changing or showering, and there were not plans to install cameras in the women's locker rooms.
Michalea Brown, general manager of VIDA Fitness’s Logan Circle location, informed members of the installation of surveillance cameras Tuesday morning. Reddit users who put the issue up for discussion were decidedly agains the move.
“This is completely unacceptable and downright creepy,” one Redditor wrote. “Imagine if this email came from a man and talked about putting cameras in the women’s locker room for “safety and security purposes.”
“I can’t imagine any possible circumstance that necessitated this level of privacy invasion,” another wrote.
Von Storch noted that the 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. “We weigh those factors against the need to provide security and safety for our members.”
Von Storch said that the club's status as a private club allows it to install cameras should it so choose.
“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 I outlined above is an invasion of privacy."
The Vida owner confirmed to WUSA that the U Street location had cameras in the men's locker room before COVID but they were removed when the area was shut down during the pandemic.
