A gym in northwest Washington DC has scrapped plans to install surveillance cameras in the men’s locker room after an attempt to catch thieves raised privacy concerns among some gym-goers.
VIDA Fitness in Logan Circle will have cameras at the entrance to locker rooms, but not in the sink area or on any walkway, CEO David von Storch told members in a message Wednesday.
“We asked for your opinion and thank you for your quick response. Although our approach is both legal and proven to detect and prevent theft, the bottom line is that it makes you feel uncomfortable. This is your club and your opinion is of the utmost importance,” he said.
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The gym had previously stated that it had put plans to introduce surveillance cameras on hold until members better understood the plan and privacy policy.
At the VIDA location on U Street NW, there have been cameras for “60 days without any resistance,” von Storch wrote.
“We recently caught a thief and his accomplice because we were able to view the video. But the backlash in the last 24 hours was too great and it was not worth dissuading members who have shown a strong emotional reaction and are not willing to reconsider their position,” he said.
Due to a series of thefts from locker rooms, VIDA asked its members to lock away their belongings and report suspicious activities to management.
