Impact of CCTV on Society - Essay Example

 IMPACT OF CCTV ON SOCIETY INTRODUCTION: CCTV cameras are being used drastically these days. These cameras are installed at homes, businesses, or any other location that requires surveillance or security. CCTV cameras are used in order to keep a strict eye and record all such activities that take place within the territory. Installation of CCTV camera has its own positive and negatives that come along but one should keep them in mind while buying these cameras. The use of this camera is not just limited to enclosed spaces but these cameras are being deployed at various crowded and public places like malls, parking lots etc. to ensure safety of individuals. The major issues with the installation of CCTV cameras are that it intrudes privacy. Personally I believe that CCTV cameras are quite essential and are playing a very important role in ensuring security. (Macchet, 2003, 100) Before the advent of CCTV cameras individuals particularly relied on human resource for their deterrence. The need of developing CCTV camerascame during the 1970's in order to protect andprovide security to banks which were always facing severe security threats. Initially the quality of these cameras was quite low and usually grainy images were obtained through them. With the passage of time this technology has increased its quality and market tremendously. These cameras were previously deployed at high risk places, shops and were used by the police to aid them in investigation. But now these cameras are used almost everywhere from schools, universities, offices, factories as well as for domestic purposes. The technology has now increased so much that it provides remote operations and also give high resolution colored images of individuals. Furthermore CCTV cameras are also well equipped with the technology to read car number plates and moreover record those details on the main database. The most advanced technology regarding the CCTV has speakers which allow individuals to speak directly to those who are being mischievous on the roads thus making it quite convenient to deter crime quickly and effectively. "Given heightened awareness of public safety and increased demand for greater security in the face of growing threats of terrorist violence, CCTV seems in most projects the ultimate solution." (Grolle, 2009,11) CCTV cameras are very important to provide security and are one of the most essential components in deterring crime. Use of CCTV cameras for security purposes is a very important innovation when it comes to preventing crimes. In modern times all security plans that are developed incorporate the use of CCTV cameras to stop crimes. Furthermore the recording and evidences obtained through these CCTV cameras are used by the law enforcement agencies as valid proofs when it comes to court trials or identifying the accused by the help of these films. Apart from this CCTV are used at numerous places to stop crimes, for instance schools have CCTV cameras installed in order to ensure security and protect the sovereignty of students and teachers by restricting them from involving in any unethical activity. (Fyfe, 2010,31) Some people usually contradict the security factor and consider it to be a breach to the privacy of people. As these CCTV cameras are installed at public places to ensure security, some people consider it to be against ethics and a contradictory factor that is harming the human rights. This comes as an outburst to the civil liberties as individuals cannot do anything freely and always have certain watchdogs that are keeping an eye on them. Apart from this the schools were CCTV cameras are installed majority of the time the faculty and students have this fear of being watched over which causes them to behave in a robotic manner limiting expression and thus suppressing their individuality. Further one cannot be sure about whether these footages will be misused or not This approach is fine to an extent as individuals have certain privacy reservations but considering it analytically if individuals do not get proper security then their privacy will always be at stake. Furthermore installation of these cameras at institutes refrains students from being involved in unethical stuff thus it protects the dignity and privacy of individuals not ruptures it. Secondly these closed circuit cameras protect the employees or people at work. "The benefits of CCTV cameras are that the agent can gain a better view of a suspect or employee, and record incidents." (Maggio, 2009, 157) Usually such issues arise when employees have encounter with customers. Usually at customer service certain issue can arise which involves physical or verbal assaults. These cameras provide help in identifying such moments and allow quick response to them. Furthermore the heads can also keep an eye on their employees 24x7. Such instances where any sort of physical or verbal assault occurs these cameras cannot judge the intensity of the situation. At times a quick response or use of force to counter situations is not required at all. This can also damage the clientele. These situations which involve a far profound response as a result of misinterpretation is quite rare whereas mostly such response is necessary in order to protect employees from any sort of verbal or physical harassment by the customers. Apart from security another feature of these CCTV cameras is that it can help to document records of all the activities that take place within the region. Since these recording are important evidences that have their legal importance and validity. Furthermore the recording of these CCTV cameras can be retrieved later from the database whenever required making it convenient and accessible for the organization. The threat of misusing these recording is what concerns those who have reservations with the installation of these cameras One needs to understand that these CCTV cameras are installed with a purpose to record any activity that takes places within the region. They have a serious job to deter crime and provide security not misuse the data received. These closed circuit cameras record the activities, misusing the recordings or not depend on the individuals handling the device. The chances are quite negligible ofmisusing when it comes to being used for security purposes by law enforcing agencies. Whereas when these cameras are used by commercial organizations one should make sure on personal level to counter check whether the recordings are not misused. Thus the "CCTV system will interface with other security systems such as intrusion detection and access control. Draft a technical design and conduct a cost-benefit analysis." (Fay, 2006, 193) Lastly these CCTV cameras are quite important because they give priority to individuals. For instance at certain organizations where only limited or specific people are allowed to enter these camera are equipped with photo identity which helps restrict the entrance of unauthorized individuals. The disadvantage of these cameras is that they are very costly and at times do not work so efficiently therefore those who do not have faith in this technology usually believe if any sort of malfunction occurs then the consequences can be quite adverse. Furthermore if there is any failure in the technology then the organization who has to tolerate all the consequences that might arise. These arguments are quite valid and there can be failure of the device but just because there are few incidents that advocate its failure one cannot particularly forget the times it has acted as a very important agent to help secure countries, regions, organizations, homes etc. Hence in a nutshell CCTV cameras have completely transformed the area of deterrence and security. They are very essential to ensure security within regions as they provide strict vigilance at all times. Today many incidents of theft, harassment etc. are avoided or restricted because of the presence of these cameras. Furthermore law enforcing agencies are benefiting tremendously from this device as they have round the clock recording of all the activities making it convenient for them to keep evidences. Prevention of crime has thus become quite easy and further installation of this device has also seemed to increase efficiency because constant vigilance causes individuals to avoid any sort of inefficiency. Thus the debate about whether these CCTV cameras breach privacy and should not be installed over the security factor they possess is an ongoing issue. The privacy issue persists but the skeptics need to realize that despite there are certain disadvantages of the system but the advantages also persist which can help to make this place peaceful and prosperous. The privacy issues that have risen with the passage of time can be countered by adopting various means hence precise laws are required to overcome any threat. Under no circumstances CCTV cameras should be banned as they are essential to maintain and sustain peace and deterrence. Hence "Seeking to make sure that the benefits of CCTV are applied effectively to prevent crime and to deal with those who choose to commit crime, the Government's focus is on better training, improved partnership working and more coordinated use of the facilities." (Great Britain, 2010, 213) WORKS CITED: GREAT BRITAIN. (2010). Evidence check 2: homeopathy : fourth report of session 2009-10 : report together with formal minutes, oral and written evidence. London, TSO GROLLE, S. (2009). CCTV to prevent crime? To what extent does CCTV prevent crime and how does it effect the life in our cities? München, GRIN Verlag GmbH. http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:101:1-2010090913537. MAGGIO, E. J. (2009). Private security in the 21st century: concepts and applications. Sudbury, Mass, Jones and Bartlett Publishers. FAY, J. (2006). Contemporary security management. Amsterdam, Elsevier/Butterworth-Heinemann. http://site.ebrary.com/id/10186007. FYFE, A. (2010). School resilience planning: a practical guide to emergency management and business continuity management for schools. Central Milton Keynes, AuthorHouse. MATCHETT, A. R. (2003). CCTV for security professionals. Boston, Butterworth-Heinemann. Read More