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Home > CCTV surveillance systems used as a crime fighting and prevention tool
October 17, 2005
By: Alice Osborn
CCTV surveillance systems play an important role in
fighting and preventing local and international crime. These
closed circuit television systems were in place in London
before the July 7th bombings and this footage is being used
to identify suspects and investigate the attacks.
Besides fighting terrorism, CCTV security systems
installed in public places or retail markets can deter
crime, provide the police with leads, help citizens feel
safer, and improve the economy of a crime-stricken area.
Most CCTV systems have now gone digital for improved
performance, surveillance camera maneuverability, and
quicker feedback as compared to analog systems.
Implementing CCTV systems
Law enforcement or security professionals best support
CCTV systems. These teams of professionals need to monitor
the CCTV video evidence on a timely basis and they need to
be properly trained in order to interpret suspicious
behavior caught on the system. When all of these factors are
in place, then the CCTV security system will be effective
for keeping citizens and shoppers safe.
In the case of some municipalities or businesses not
being able to afford all of the necessary components of a
CCTV system, many CCTV providers can recommend a scalable
approach so that priority security needs may be addressed
first. Then, additional surveillance cameras can be
purchased in succeeding years as the budget allows.
Digital CCTV systems and surveillance cameras
A modern digital CCTV security system consists of
hardware and software components that collect and transmit
vital surveillance camera information over fiber optic lines
to control rooms staffed by security professionals and
equipped with digital CCTV monitors. An example of the
surveillance cameras used for reducing crime in LA's
MacArthur Park include CyberDome DayNite 25X cameras
equipped with removable infrared cut filters, 25x optical
zoom lenses, 12x digital zoom capabilities, and 360-degree
PTZ (pan tilt zoom) capabilities. This MacArthur Park system
also includes GE Storesafe DVRs (digital video recorders)
and GE KTD-405 keypad controllers. DVRs are capable of
saving CCTV data to a PC for up to ten weeks of recording
and some even feature motion detection technology, which
means that the footage is only recorded when motion triggers
the DVR system.
Digital surveillance cameras range in type from compact,
fixed cameras to direction-controlled models that can see in
the dark under various lighting conditions. CCTV
decision-makers need to know what kind of job each
surveillance camera must fulfill. Will it watch the flow of
passerbys (fixed cameras) or will it need to monitor a
crime-targeted area (dome cameras with PTZ functions)? These
video security managers also need to consider
weatherproofing their surveillance cameras if the cameras
are mounted in an especially hot or cold climate, or if the
viewing fields could be obscured by dirt or dust.
What kind of crimes do CCTV systems prevent?
Evidence has shown that CCTV systems mostly deter
property crimes and robberies, but not more violent crimes
such as rape and aggravated assault. CCTV systems may not
catch these crimes because they may occur away from the
surveillance cameras in more deserted areas. Fortunately in
most situations, when a CCTV system is in place, criminals
generally shy away from these monitored areas fearing
prosecution since these recorded images can be used in
court. As noted previously, in order for a CCTV system to be
effective, the electronic system must be used in conjunction
with human know-how and skills and it should be carefully
integrated into existing security plans.
CCTV: Looking ahead
In the next few years, digital CCTV systems will evolve
into wireless CCTV systems that employ GSM (global system
for mobile communication) or 3G (third generation)
connections. These wireless systems are completely portable
and can deliver live images to a PC, an Internet phone, or a
laptop. The cameras are tiny, but include many of the
sophisticated features of full size digital CCTV cameras.
CCTV customers are also seeking IP-based solutions with
LAN/WAN delivery options despite some lags in the
technology's image quality and frame rate.
"Make no mistake about it, the future is wireless," says
Thomas M. Wade, president of Samsung CCTV. "We'll be pushing
crime-related images to police cars in the future. Imagine
an abduction or robbery in which the responding units are
seeing the video and the suspects as they are rolling to the
scene. It's all possible and it is the general direction of
the industry."
There is also talk of linking CCTV cameras together to
form a worldwide network to prevent terrorism, but this
international surveillance system would cost billions of
dollars and would require extensive international
cooperation.
About the Author
Alice Osborn is a successful freelance writer and
contributor to Video-Surveillance-Guide.com. Your
definitive guide to video surveillance equipment, CCTV
cameras and wireless security systems for home and business.
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