Your East Palo Alto Private Investigator for Surveillance and Investigations
Bear Witness is the private investigator in East Palo Alto that families, attorneys, and businesses call when they need facts, not guesses. East Palo Alto is a city of about 29,000 people in San Mateo County. We are a veteran-owned, California-licensed firm (PI #18755), and surveillance is what we do best.
Whether you suspect a cheating spouse, need evidence for a custody or support case, are dealing with a questionable workers’ compensation claim, or represent a client who needs court-ready surveillance, our East Palo Alto investigators plan each case around the subject’s real routine and document it with time-stamped video.
East Palo Alto Surveillance Investigations: Our Specialty
Most investigations come down to one question: what is really happening? A private investigator in East Palo Alto answers it with surveillance video, photos, and a written timeline.
Mobile Surveillance
Experienced drivers who anticipate turns and freeway exits, so your subject is documented from stop to stop.
Static Surveillance
We hold position at the locations that matter to your case and record activity with time-stamped video.
Two-Investigator Teams
For careful or unpredictable subjects, two investigators trade off so the same car is never seen twice.
At roughly 11,500 people per square mile, East Palo Alto is dense — tight parking, slow traffic, and subjects who often move on foot. Our investigators plan for that.
Cases Our East Palo Alto Private Investigators Take On
Four kinds of clients call us most — and surveillance is at the center of almost every case.
Personal Cases
- Nanny & daycare surveillance — observing caregiver conduct and advising on what in-home recording is legal.
- Runaways & missing persons — locating family members and loved ones who have left or lost touch.
- Infidelity & cheating spouse — a clear, factual answer for East Palo Alto clients who suspect a partner.
Family Law Cases
- Cohabitation — documenting cohabitation that can affect spousal support under Family Code 4323.
- Divorce investigations — documentation that supports your attorney’s strategy.
- Lifestyle investigations — what someone’s day-to-day life really looks like.
- Child visitation — a factual record of exchanges and visits.
- Child support — uncovering unreported work that affects support.
- Child custody — parenting-time compliance, home conditions, and welfare concerns.
Business Cases
- Injury claims — documenting physical activity relevant to personal injury claims.
- Insurance defense — surveillance and investigation for carriers and defense counsel.
- Business partner surveillance — verifying what a partner or associate is really doing.
- Workers’ comp fraud — surveillance on claims where activity and injuries don’t match.
- Employee theft — documenting internal theft and misconduct before you act.
Law Firm Cases
- Court testimony — investigator testimony in California courts when needed.
- Evidence gathering — facts collected to evidentiary standards.
- Records research — court, property, business, and public records research.
- Witness statements — locating witnesses and taking their statements.
- Evasive subpoena service — skip-tracing and service for hard-to-serve subjects.
- Surveillance — surveillance your client’s case can stand on.
What Sets Our East Palo Alto Investigators Apart
Choosing a private investigator in East Palo Alto comes down to experience, discretion, and evidence that holds up.
Surveillance Specialists
We specialize in surveillance, so your case gets investigators who do this every day.
Honest Results
If nothing is going on, we tell you. A clear answer is the goal, not more billable hours.
Licensed & Veteran-Owned
California PI License #18755, veteran-owned and operated, held to the standards set by BSIS.
Statewide Coverage
From East Palo Alto to the rest of California, we follow subjects wherever the case leads.
Direct Access to Your Investigator
We limit our caseload, so you talk to the investigator working your case — not a call center.
Absolute Discretion
Confidential from the first call; covert in the field.
What Our Clients Say
Real reviews from Bear Witness clients across California.
“Of all the private investigators I have used, the Bear Witness Detective Agency has proven to be the only investigation company I can completely rely on and trust. When I need smart surveillance investigators who get the job done right, they are always at the very top of my call list.”
“Excellent communication, insight, and follow-through skills. Very impressed with your surveillance video. Excellent work. Thank you! Will refer to friends in need.”
“I first consulted with a few other investigation companies in the area, yet I remained skeptical about their service. But, after I talked over my case with James, I was pleased with the high levels of confidence and experience he conveyed. In the end, I am glad I chose Bear Witness to perform my surveillance investigation. Thanks for the video your company obtained. It was eye-opening.”
Names and/or locations altered for client privacy. Read more client reviews →
Where East Palo Alto Cases Are Heard
East Palo Alto sits roughly 6 miles from Redwood City, the San Mateo County seat, where the main Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo facilities are located.
Divorce, custody, support, and civil cases involving East Palo Alto residents are generally filed in the Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo. We document every case with that courtroom in mind: dated, time-stamped, gathered legally, and backed by testimony if needed.
Also Serving Near East Palo Alto
Cases rarely stay inside one city limit. From East Palo Alto, we regularly work:
Straight-line distances from East Palo Alto.
Working With a East Palo Alto Private Investigator, Step by Step
- 1
Call Us
A short, private conversation about your situation, with no obligation.
- 2
Strategy
We decide when and where surveillance in and around East Palo Alto is most likely to answer your question.
- 3
Fieldwork
One investigator handles your case from start to finish.
- 4
Results
Documented findings in plain language — including a clear “nothing found” when that is the truth.
East Palo Alto Private Investigator FAQs
Do you also cover Menlo Park and Stanford?
Yes. Menlo Park is about 1 mile from East Palo Alto and Stanford about 3 miles, and both are part of our regular coverage in Northern California.
How far is East Palo Alto from the San Mateo County courthouse?
East Palo Alto is roughly 6 miles (straight-line) from Redwood City, the San Mateo County seat, where the main Superior Court of California, County of San Mateo facilities are. Some matters are heard at branch courthouses; your attorney can confirm the location.
What does a private investigator in East Palo Alto do?
We document facts for personal, family law, business, and legal cases — most often through surveillance, along with background research, people location, witness statements, and process serving.
Do you specialize in surveillance?
Yes. Surveillance has been Bear Witness’s specialty since 1996, and it is part of nearly every case we handle in East Palo Alto and across California.
How do I verify your license?
Look up PI License #18755 on the California Department of Consumer Affairs license search.
Is surveillance legal in East Palo Alto?
Yes, when done correctly. California allows observation in public places where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy. Our investigators do not trespass, use hidden vehicle trackers, or record private conversations.
Do you handle workers’ compensation and insurance claims?
Yes. We conduct claimant surveillance and claim investigations for employers, insurers, and defense counsel.
Can you serve someone who is avoiding service?
Yes. We locate the person first, then time service attempts around when they are actually there, and document service for the court.
Can you document cohabitation for a spousal support case?
Yes. Under California Family Code section 4323, a supported spouse living with a partner can create a presumption of decreased need for support. We document cohabitation for you and your attorney.
Every case starts with a free, confidential consultation. Call 1(877)PROOF-24/7 to speak with a licensed investigator about your East Palo Alto case.