Morning all. Im currently performing some research and would vale your opinions on the following statement and observations: CCTV is an investigative tool and not a cost effective deterrent to crime The basis for the statement is as follows, In the light of mall robberies, violent home invasions and hijackings nationally, CCTV has been highlighted as a key investigative tool. While suspects are seldom clearly identifiable for a court to accept, it does show clothing, movement and modus operandi which is highly useful to an investigator or researcher wanting to understand crime-dynamics. None the less, these crimes take place daily in front of the cameras - hence the assertion that their deterrent value is negligible and only creates a false sense of security. When one compares the high cost of installation, maintenance, communications and of course multiple staff to actively monitor, then CCTV does not stack up well against physical resources on the ground that can move around and act to prevent crime. CCTV effectively is a deterrent as your actions would be recorded, while a physical presence is a deterrent as you could get caught and arrested. Please note, the above has reference to CCTV within open public spaces and public facilities and not peoples homes. Id look forward to any constructive comments, observations or thoughts on this. Some of the questions here are: Do you feel safer if an area or mall has CCTV? Do you feel safer if you know that CCTV is monitored? Do you feel your privacy is being invaded unnecessarily? This is purely an academic exercise and open to anyone who wishes to comment
Posted on: Tue, 14 Oct 2014 07:26:15 +0000