How CCTV is Used to Police the Public

When it comes to public safety, there really should be no corners cut. People in today’s society like to feel safe when leaving their homes, and rightfully so. With the crime rates escalating and the demand for more policing becoming evident, many people feel that there should be some form of constant monitoring of selected areas around their homes. While some people feel that video surveillance is not really a practical idea due to the fact that they think the government is constantly watching them, others are looking at it in an entirely different light. While it may be true that a camera will catch people doing something that may be personal, yet not illegal, the premise of the camera and CCTV is to monitor the actions of those who feel the law is not important and will jeopardize the safety of others without concern.

This is where the police come into play, as they are now looking at CCTV to be installed in areas in our society that can be considered problem areas. Many banks today have installed these cameras at their ATM machines, to offer some peace of mind to their customers. Not only will it allow the community to feel safe when they are at the machines, it gives the bank and the police a very bold physical description of someone who may be using a stolen card. This is a great form of identifying a perpetrator, and can help police find someone that may have committed a very serious crime.

The uses of these CCTV cameras are, for the most part, a very sound idea, and the general public really should not shun them. When you think about it logically, the police are not trying to invade privacy they are trying to offer safety and policing when they are clearly short of manpower. It is not possible for the police department to install an officer in every section of the city that is crime related or a troubled spot. Not only do they not have enough officers for this, it would also cost the city a large amount of money that they cannot afford to spend. For this reasons the CCTV is a cheaper and more suitable option that does have its merits.

While many view this video surveillance more of a big brother tactic, a little brother tactic is actually a more accurate statement. When the police are using this form of monitoring, the initial hope is that when the pubic knows the cameras are in place, so too does the criminal. This could either be a major deterrent, or at least will have them and the crime itself on film and the police will likely catch them. This for practical purposes, CCTV should be heralded by the general public, as it allows for some much needed security in areas where there clearly is none. By installing wireless CCTV cameras along park walkways, or near high crime areas within the core of the city, the police could surely make good use of what they actually see. This will allow the public to feel safe when going to the store, or merely taking a leisurely walk through the park systems. This is anything but a bad idea. This form of monitoring has been in use in government buildings, inside banks, and within hospitals for many years now. It is perhaps the time to embrace the notion that CCTV can indeed be a very useful tool in the crime prevention department.

When CCTV systems are in place, and the general public is aware of it, there is a decrease of crime in that location by as much as 30%. This is a considerable drop in crime when you think about it. By applying more cameras to the city, you can expect those numbers to go up. Another great use for the CCTV by the police is the use of the cameras in busy and often troubling street intersections. This will help with the control of traffic, if motorists know there is a monitor on that particular location. With the control of a busy street, you will also see a drastic fall in street racing, which often ends up in someone innocent loosing his or her life.