Sheriffs to fight electronic Peeping Toms

Two “sheriffs” check a restroom for small hidden cameras at the Seocho District Office, Thursday. The district office has appointed 18 former policewomen and security guards in its fight against electronic Peeping Toms. Yonhap

By Oh Young-jin

The problem of so-called hidden cameras for illegally videotaping women in private moments is so severe that one district in Seoul has launched a group of "sheriffs" to fight it.

Eighteen women, deputized by the Seocho District, will work in pairs to check restrooms, saunas and other facilities for the illegal recording devices.

The sheriffs were selected from a pool of police officers and body guards.

They are receiving basic training and will be deployed in an intense crackdown through the rest of the year.

They will wear a uniform with a hat and be covered by insurance against injuries.

Sheriffs checking for hidden cameras show their weapons of choice _ detectors _ at a launch ceremony Thursday.

The district has about 8,900 restaurants and bars and includes parts of Gangnam Subway Station, one of the busiest strips in Seoul.

The hidden cameras come in ultra small forms that are hard to detect when installed in joints and hinges of doors and cubicles in restrooms or other areas.

The video clips are often posted on the internet and put the victims under extreme duress.

Women's organizations have been holding big protests about the lack of law enforcement to stop the devices.