foot notes

The world can be a frightening place. Today’s headlines are scary enough, but how can you tell if the people close to you are worthy of the trust you give them? Most people try to cope with the uncertainty of life the best they can. But others turn to spy shops, which offer surveillance toys and other gadgets for the cautious, the fearful and James Bond-wannabes.

* The Valley is home to two spy shops--Baby’s Angel, 22941 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, (818) 591-1770 (www.babysangel.com) and the Privacy Connection, 23133 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, (818) 225-8007 (www.privacyconnection.com). But there are many others on the Internet. Disguised video cameras are a big seller--hidden in clock radios ($665), smoke detectors ($130), coffee makers ($369), lamps ($279), paintings ($299), ceiling speakers ($249), thermostats ($249), wall clocks ($199), books ($249) or just about anything.

* Using a software program, Net Detective 2000, you can do background checks on people over the Internet. Net Detective advertises it can open the doors to criminal records, court orders, credit reports, adoption records, debts and assets, employment histories and other information about anybody, all with the click of a mouse. Net Detective can be downloaded from many sites on the Internet for about $25.

* The Truth Phone--what a great idea! It’s a phone with a recording device and an electronic lie detector built in. A voice stress analyzer picks up on sub-audible micro-tremors in the voice that occur with stress and deception. An absolute necessity for when you have to deal with those people you simply can’t trust--employees, bosses, nannies, neighbors, partners, lovers, children, mom, dad, siblings, new friends, old friends, analysts or whomever. Stop guessing! You can know the “truth” for about $3,000.