Crack Down on Crime with CCTV

Security cameras have played a significant role in preventing crime and catching criminals. Before security cameras, police had to rely on witness’s description of the perpetrator where a crime had been committed. Eye witness accounts can vary greatly among several people who were present at the same event. Eye witness testimonies must be accompanied by other substantial or objective evidence to hold up in court. Since the development of closed circuit television (CCTV) in 1942 many advances in technology have made CCTV invaluable in the fight against crime. Mini security cameras are difficult to spot and catch criminals when they aren’t aware they are being watched. Recent studies show that video surveillance is the number one deterrent for criminals.

CCTV is the use of video security cameras to relay a signal to a specific or limited set of monitors. The first CCTV system was designed and installed by German scientist Walter Bruch in 1942. His system was used to record and observe the launch of V-2 rockets. Closed circuit television is very useful at launch sites because the cameras are able to be in closer proximity to the rockets than a human while providing a recording of the event that can be reviewed as often as needed.

Now the use of CCTV can be found almost anywhere. It is inexpensive enough to be used in home security systems. There are at least 13 U.S. cities in which law enforcement officials are operating or implementing CCTV video surveillance as a way to prevent crime and promote public safety. In some cities, the videos are passively recorded and played back at certain intervals, while other cities actively monitor the surveillance images. In some states school districts are experimenting with CCTV video surveillance as a principal security measure to reduce campus violence and prevent crimes such as theft and graffiti. According to a 1996 survey of secondary school administrators conducted by the American Society for Industrial Security, schools which use either passive or active CCTV surveillance systems, contend that the systems have contributed to reduced property crimes such as break-ins, theft, and vandalism. The popularity of CCTV video surveillance as a crime prevention tool is an important component of the re-emergence of downtown entertainment and commercial business districts. Business partnerships composed of retailers and various agencies of local governments have been created in cities such as Baltimore, Tampa Bay, and Memphis to provide the funding capital for CCTV video surveillance crime prevention projects. Community-oriented policing programs help monitor the surveillance systems and respond to criminal activity.


About the Author: Mike Ward is the owner and operator of Protection Depot, a leading online provider of mini security cameras and security cameras. For more information about security cameras, please visit Protection Depot.