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Thursday, March 31, 2016

How Closed Circuit TV Makes The World Safer

By Sandra Jackson


This modern world is no longer safe. Few people will argue with such a statement. Governments, local authorities businesses and individuals all have to take steps to increase their personal security and to protect their assets. As a result of this increased security needs a giant industry came into being. Alarm systems, security fencing and armed response agreements have become common place. Even in places such as Chattanooga closed circuit TV is used as a fist line of defence.

Oleon, New York was the first city to employ CCTV in order to prevent and solve crimes. This was as far back as 1926. Soon after, Times Square was also fitted with numerous surveillance cameras. Nowadays CCTV is used almost everywhere but most authorities concentrate upon locations known for its high crime rate. Today, these cameras are highly sophisticated and can even be controlled remotely.

Studies conducted during the nineteen nineties show conclusively that CCTV systems are effective in preventing crime. The very fact that there are visible cameras in the vicinity seems to act as a deterrent. The very best results were obtained in parking lots, where a decrease in crime of up to fifty per cent was reported. Today, authorities deploy these systems in localities known for their high crime rates, at intersections and at public facilities.

CCTV is not only used by the authorities. They are commonly installed as part of comprehensive security measures at private homes and at housing estates. They are extremely useful in identifying visitors, in monitoring activities in the grounds and in controlling access to the property. They can even be used to monitor activities inside the home, normally when the owner is away.

Businesses have become one of the biggest users of CCTV systems. They use these systems to monitor trade, to track the activities of employees, to deter theft and to keep tract of stock. Manufacturers use the systems to monitor the entire assembly line process and in certain cases this is the only way in which to monitor dangerous manufacturing processes. Even marketing departments use CCTV to study consumer behaviour in stores.

Large cities around the world now use CCTV systems to monitor traffic and to identify traffic offenders. Such systems are also used to identify stolen cars and road rage offenders. The study of the the recordings from these systems can lead to steps that will increase traffic flow in traditionally congested areas. CCTV can even be used to monitor the condition of the roads.

Human rights activists complain that CCTV infringes upon the privacy rights of individuals. Other critics say that CCTV is used as an excuse for not employing and deploying enough policemen. There are also those that warn that CCTV is but the first stage towards a society where there will be no privacy, just as described in the George Orwell novel Big Brother.

Criminals and terrorists are increasingly using sophisticated technology to commit their crimes. In order to stop them, deter them and to eventually catch them, the authorities simply have to use sophisticate technology too. There can be no doubt whatsoever that CCTV plays an important role in this fight against unwanted elements, crime, civil disorder and terror.




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