CCTV Crime Cameras
CCTV or Crime Prevention through Community-Oriented Policing is a crime prevention strategy that utilizes the placement of cameras in high-crime areas to monitor and deter criminal activity. The cameras provide a 24/7 live feed to the police department.
CCTV cameras are also known as “Public View Monitors” (PVMs) and “Surveillance Cameras.” The footage they capture can be used as evidence in criminal investigations and prosecutions.
The use of CCTV cameras as a crime prevention strategy is not a new concept. Police departments and municipalities have been using them for years in an effort to reduce crime and catch criminals. What has changed in recent years is the technology that is now available to make the cameras more effective and efficient.
The main advantage of using CCTV cameras as a crime prevention strategy is that they are a deterrent to crime. The presence of the cameras alone can prevent crime from taking place. In a study conducted by the Centre for Criminal Justice Studies at the University of Leeds, it was found that crime in the areas where CCTV cameras were installed decreased by up to 50%.
Another advantage of CCTV cameras is that they can help to solve crimes. The footage they capture can be used as evidence in criminal investigations and prosecutions. In a study conducted by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, it was found that images captured by CCTV cameras were used as evidence in court in over 50% of the cases studied.
Conclusion
When cameras are properly targeted, they can deter offenders, reduce the level of crime and increase the feeling of safety. CCTV can often provide invaluable evidence that leads to the identification of offenders and in turn can save the police valuable time during the investigative process. Evidence has shown that CCTV systems deter property crimes and robberies plus violent crimes such as rape and aggravated assault.
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.
