What is stakeout?

A stakeout is a surveillance operation whereby law enforcement officers or private investigators monitor a particular location or subject from a concealed position. The goal of a stakeout is to gather intelligence on the movements and activities of individuals suspected of criminal activities. During a stakeout, officers or investigators typically remain hidden in a vehicle or building equipped with monitoring equipment, such as binoculars, cameras, and recorders. Stakeouts can last for hours or days, depending on the situation at hand. Stakeouts are often used to gather crucial evidence for a criminal investigation, such as the identification of suspects, their location, and their patterns of behavior. However, stakeouts require a great deal of patience, discretion, and technical know-how to be successful.