The Impact of Closed-Circuit Television on Security - Research Paper Example

The impact of closed-circuit television (CCTV) on security Introduction CCTCV systems are not only consideredas essential gadgets to enhance human security, but nowadays it has become mans’ most essential system concerning the need for security (Goold 16). There have been a number of arguments concerning this security system, most vital aspects being on how to offer sufficient security to everyone. Essentially, this is forming the baseline for the introduction of CCTV security system and the important aspect is to find about the peoples’ response to its existence (Goold 16). Contrastingly, man has deep concern about his personal safety and the safety of his properties. Basically, people protect their lives and make the acquisition of physical properties in order to sustain their lives. This is why the need for security is required. This research paper is, therefore, meant to find out mans’ response to security and the need for CCTV, their existence and future aspect in enhancing human security (Goold 39). Do hidden cameras reduce or solve breach of security based on people’s perception? One of the most considerate methods of ensuring environment is free from theft, thugs or from any form of physical vandalism is through the use of CCTV security systems. The incorporation of such systems has helped reduce breach of security in a number of ways, either by direct loop and transcription of the suspects’ image or by revealing his image directly for an appropriate action. Enhances facial surveillance According to research, the use of CCTV for facial surveillance is basically to strengthen the security and criminal investigators. Most respondents accepted that the use of facial surveillance systems, the security personnel’s are adequately equipped to monitor the movements of criminals from special type of registered screens known as watch list. Through the use of this technology, the CCTV cameras and facial surveillance, individuals who are suspected to hold dangerous weapons or explosive substances can be easily detected and disarmed as a way of improving safety of individuals. Hidden cameras help prevent potential security threat Most financial investors admitted to have accepted use of surveillance solution in places such easily put in place to monitor the cases of theft and vandalism. Taking in consideration a place like a banking ATM, the cameras are often placed in invisible paces to monitor insecurity prospects such as robberies, attacks and vandalism in a normal life circumstance. Besides, the stream, video generated can also be used to assist in streamlining customers’ satisfaction as far as security is concerned Protects the ethics of employees at work place In order to prevent unnecessary employees’ misconducts such as internal thefts, drug abuse or violence, with respect to employers, hidden cameras would best serve this function. However, installation of surveillance cameras in an organization in most cases is met by negativity especially on the side of employees. Its usage usually gives manages’ and owners of the business some guidelines, which leads to business prospective returns in terms of revenue. However, as matter of illustrating employees trust to the organization, it is advisable that during installation, adequate communication should be passed to enlighten staff members about such effects of change. What are the specific perceptions of the people about CCTVs for their security? To be more specific, people would have different dimensions concerning CCTV security availability and the sense of their personal and human security. Based on the in depth analysis of this paper, most people would prefer CCTV security as a provision for evidence in case something happens enabling the security personnel to give them fair justice during trials. Level of awareness Among the respondents picked from and questioned about the awareness of the CCTV, most of them gave a very considerable feedback. Significantly 40 percent of men as compared to 25 percent expressed concern over the civil implication of civil liberty. Some of the interviewee agued out that CCTV does not relay much impact on parking ground since there is already adequate physical security that could be used in case any matter of concern is expected. Uncertainty and avoidance Some people believe that cultural attitudes of the society are quite uncertain when they could face unstructured and unpredictable security circumstance (Guagnin 23). Therefore, the law and the religion are important is assisting in terms of security as compared to the use of CCTV. Besides, religion is considered to be overboard in relevance to security amongst other things. In addition, people who come from high uncertainty avoidance regions such as the Asian community always trust that CCTV would offer them high rate of certainty about their status. Their perception is to secure all mode of transport using hidden cameras as a way of avoiding theft and violence amongst public palaces. Reduction in fear of crime According to the research conducted, the perception of the public was that if CCTVs actually reduces crime especially in public regions, then they have to be placed in public regions and the public be exposed to the presence of such cameras. Going by the statistics, amongst the 1000 individuals interviewed 33 percent of were aware about the cameras presence (Knelman 342). It was later found out that a big number of percentage were only aware of cameras availability in strategic regions where theft issues were speculated to take place. The research respondents who were at least conversant with the availability of hidden cameras within the streets indicated much wiry about the security situation as compared to those who never had the information at all. Therefore, the presence of hidden cameras could be contemplated about the concern of peoples’ security as compared to when they are exposed in public (Knelman 342). Unclear evidence projections The investigation realized that installation of CCTV in public places actually make people feel safer (Knelman 342). However, the images that are captured by the cameras are of low intensity and pixilated. This has caused a lot of difficulty in suspect identification even if his image had been captured. 75 percent would feel more secure if the cameras could be made using (HD) CCTV as compared to the current CCTV in order to obtain clearer images of their suspects. What are some specific reactions of the people knowing that an establishment fully operates with a CCTV? Before setting up CCTV surveillance, there has to be appropriate investigation and the necessary reparation of the public and the people who shall be involved within the frame of the surveillance. Sometimes a negative security incidence might force the owner of a premise to set a security system of which is aware would give uncalled for reaction from his employees as well as the public in general. Currently, video cameras appearing in most public places give a clear indication about the CCTV appearance. In the previous months, a lot of perception has risen in regard to presence of CCTV mostly in urban palaces; therefore, a number of questions have so far been put in place. A survey conducted into CCTV has revealed contradictory results and has clearly indicated that, the reliance on such special security systems has been based on the trust that, it is an effective element if fighting the war against crime (Knelman 117). The research findings clearly showed that about 45 percent of the respondents indicate that CCTV has actually reduced the rate of crime while quite a good number believed that it helps to curtail the existence of serious criminal offences such robberies. However, questions were raised about if revealing privacy of a person could be good against erosion of the ethics of the society. Concerns have been raised about who views the images with a perception of converting and misleading the evidence. CCTV is perceived to have minimal significant impacts to the public behavior (Great Britain 8). Amongst the people interviewed, significant number between 5 percent and 9 percent of individual responding to public places would considerably avoid the areas believed to have CCTV security systems. Since most of the systems do not have the magnitude of detecting incidences prior and making preliminary production of evidence, this is viewed as negative by the public. The use of media has also propagated people’s perception to embrace the use of CCTV. It has been realized that, the public acceptance of security systems are driven by concern about an incidence that may have just happened. For instance, the research has indicated that over 50 percent of the security system, media coverage was regarded as positive. The media perception was found to be more prominent in covering about the positive aspect of the security system as in contrast to negative perception, which has been diverted to cover the prevalence of employees at work. Positive perception and acceptance of the use of cameras is considered vital for day to day mutual life existence. However, the use of media images as method of ascertaining a case to some extent becomes very challenging and can be extremely difficult (Great Britain 8). The educated elite have eventually challenged the use security cameras as a panacea for crime prevention is perceived to have been poorly implemented. The scholar’s claims that the effectiveness of the security systems need to be properly scrutinized since most of them had been put in place without adequate research about crime reduction. They disregard that, there is a need to find out if security systems are the best solutions to curtail the rising global crime rate. What is the level of confidence of the people regarding their security with the aid of surveillance and spying through CCTVs? Initially, the security systems were installed to manage the issues of theft, burglary, robbery and ordinary thefts. Of late, the security system usage is extended to curtail the acts of indecent social behavior such as littering the streets of a federal republic, drunkenness and violation of council laws such urinating in public places. Currently, the CCTV systems are dominantly being used by the security agencies such as police for restoration of public morals such as sexual harassment amongst other things (Guagnin 23). Despite all these achievement, it is still unfortunate that huge amount of money has been spent on security system while little or less evidence of it to deter crime has been achieved. Lack of appropriate achievements does not mean that people have lost hope to propagate its assistance and it is still viewed by a number of people to be of high importance. The research has indicated that people’s level of confidence on CCTV surveillance to combat crime has drastically gone down (Fennelly 117). The existence of crime has shifted to different tactics, which are less susceptible to CCTV evidence. Such reasons have showed very minimal attempt to curtail long term crime effects. Public trust has faded in that crime rates are going to be in the rise with very minimal effects from the CCTV unless other adequate measures are put in place to foresee this. The research has indicated that the offenders whilst to repeat the crime in presence of security system. Most public despondence felt that CCTV is not doing enough in promoting public safety. The security system is only meant to aid natural surveillance, which can be easily mitigated by those people who fear that their images could be identified in the night. However, most parents believed that the security system is of high importance especially among teenagers who would gather around the malls with a social perception. Besides, they entrust the availability of cameras around such places with a perception of corps coming in case of any slight mishap (Great Britain 8). Most members of the public interviewed believed that the use of CCTV can enforce the use of morality and be interpreted in the wrong form as a way of prejudice. Some systems operators may take advantage and disregard their duty on the basis of stereotype and ridicule of some people for biasness (Guagnin 26). How were CCTVs received when they were first introduced and how has the attitude changed CCTVs were initially introduced as surety systems which were regarded as the best equipment in the society to help combat crime. Their introductions were welcomed with a lot of trust as it was believed that they would aid much assistance in combating the criminal offenders. However, the research has indicated that the impact has drastically gone down and to some extent almost becoming futile. Intuitively, 56 percent of the passenger’s interviewed illustrated that the security systems have been rendered in biasness with the camera operators creating criticism and stereotype amongst some members of the society (Matchett 37). Most of the public respondents indicated that the systems have been so far redirected on misplaced priorities such as monitoring unethical acts urinating in public as in contrast the combating security which it had been developed for. Additionally, the security system operators should be given adequate training in issues that affects the society and proper guidelines be put in place to protect the image of the society (Matchett 37). Conclusion There have been consistent arguments by many analysts that security systems do not actually combat crime. CCTV systems have very limited effect in curtailing criminal activity. Some of them are operated by inadequately trained personals. The public concern is that alternative technology should be implemented to assist in the facilitation of security enhancement. Works cited Fennelly, Lawrence. Handbook of Loss Prevention and Crime Prevention. Burlington: Elsevier Science, 2012.print. Goold, Benjamin. CCTV and Policing: Public Area Surveillance and Police Practices in Britain. Oxford: Oxford University Press. 2004. Print. Great Britain. Personal passenger safety in railway stations. London: Stationery Office, 2006.print. Guagnin, Daniel, et al., eds. managing privacy through accountability. Palgrave Macmillan, (2012): 83-100. Print. Knelman, Joshua. Hot Art: Chasing Thieves and Detectives through the Secret World of Stolen Art.Portland, Oregon: Tin House Books, 2012.print. Matchett, Alan. CCTV for security professionals. Amsterdam: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2003.print. Read More