Sheriff warns California residents after hidden cameras disguised as bushes and bird nests found outside homes on a quiet street

Residents in Cerritos, California, are on high alert after a series of hidden surveillance devices were found in front yards and local bushes. The Cerritos Sheriff’s Station issued an official warning this week, asking homeowners to stay vigilant about their surroundings and report any suspicious equipment they come across.

Authorities confirmed that a surveillance camera was recently found hidden inside bushes near a home on the 12500 block of Summerwind St. Similar devices have also been spotted in bushes and attached to poles in other parts of the city, suggesting this is not an isolated case. The quiet residential street has now become the center of a growing concern about privacy and home security.

The sheriff’s station shared images of the equipment on Facebook, showing cameras disguised with fake green moss designed to blend into garden landscaping. The devices appear to be used to monitor daily activity around homes, likely before potential break-ins. Neighbors who saw the posts online were shocked at how convincingly the cameras were hidden, with many saying they would never have noticed them on their own.

Hidden spy cameras found across Southern California point to a pattern of targeted surveillance

One resident noted on Facebook that a similar device was found in La Palma about a month ago, suggesting this could be part of a wider pattern. California has seen several unusual criminal incidents making headlines recently, and similar hidden camera reports have also surfaced in other parts of Southern California and New York in the past.

Authorities are asking everyone to report anything unusual to local law enforcement immediately. If a device is spotted, residents are advised not to touch or handle it themselves, but instead contact the police so they can document it and investigate. Tampering with the equipment could potentially destroy evidence that investigators need to identify who placed the cameras.

Security experts say that criminals often use this kind of pre-surveillance method to study a home’s routine before carrying out a burglary. By watching when residents leave and return, they can identify the best time to strike. The level of planning involved in disguising these cameras so carefully points to people who are organized and deliberate in their approach.

Police have not yet confirmed whether anyone responsible for placing the cameras has been identified or caught. The discovery has, however, alarmed the neighborhood and prompted the official public warning from the sheriff’s station. California has also been dealing with other incidents resulting in tragic outcomes, making public safety a growing concern across the state.

Residents are being encouraged to walk around their property and look for anything that appears out of place, especially objects that look like DIY camouflage setups. Fake bird nests or bushes that look unusually neat or oddly placed are among the things to watch for. Experts also recommend checking areas near driveways, front doors, and garage entrances, as these are the spots criminals most commonly monitor.

Installing your own visible security cameras and motion-sensor lighting around your home can also act as a deterrent. Making it clear that a property is being monitored from the inside often discourages criminals from targeting it in the first place. Residents are also encouraged to share information with neighbors so that the wider community stays informed and alert.

The sheriff’s station continues to urge the public to stay alert and report suspicious equipment without delay, as early reporting could help authorities track down who is responsible for placing these devices.