The Use Security Cameras Being Used in Public Buildings and Places - Research Proposal Example

A survey was conducted of 25 people from various backgrounds on their views on the use of security cameras being used in public buildings and places.Given below is the data of the findings: Questionnaire Background Questions: Sex – 19 – Male 6 - Female Age (open) – 24 - 42 Are you married – 13 Married 12 - Unmarried What is your highest level of education? – Bachelors Degree Please state your occupation (open text box) – Working people Do you live in a city or in the country? – All city dwellers How often do you use a mobile phone? – Average of 5 times a day How often do you travel by public transport? – Quite often How often do you travel by airplane (One return trip counts as one time) – once or twice a year How often do you travel by car - Everyday General Questions about security technology and privacy. Below you will find a number of the statements about security technology and privacy that appear in the public debate. To which degree do you agree with these statements? For each statement please indicate to which degree you agree If you believe that the statement is completely right, circle 1 “Completely agree” If you believe that the statement is right, but have some reservations, circle 2 “Partly agree” If you find it impossible to assess whether the statement is right or wrong, circle 3 “Neither agree nor disagree” If you believe that the statement is wrong, but have some reservations, circle 4 “Partly disagree” If you believe that the statement is completely wrong, circle 5 “Completely disagree” “The security of society is absolutely dependent on the development and use of new security Technology. New security technologies are likely to be abused by governmental agencies” 1. Completely agree - none 2. Partly agree - none 3. Neither agree nor disagree - 4 4. Partly disagree - 9 5. Completely disagree - 13 “New security technologies are likely to be abused by criminals” Completely agree - 14 Partly agree - 5 Neither agrees nor disagree - none Partly disagree - 3 Completely disagree - 2 Specific statements about CCTV “CCTV surveillance makes me feel more secure” Completely agree - 11 Partly agree - 8 Neither agree nor disagree - 7 Partly disagree - none Completely disagree - none “CCTV surveillance infringes my privacy” Completely agree - 5 Partly agree – 8 Neither agree nor disagree – 7 Partly disagree - 5 Completely disagree - none “Scanning of persons for detection of hidden items is an acceptable tool for preventing Terror” Completely agree - 21 Partly agree - 3 Neither agree nor disagree - 1 Partly disagree - non Completely disagree - non Technology and privacy “The security of society is absolutely dependent on the development and use of new security technologies” 1. Completely agree - 22 2. Partly agree - 3 3. Neither agree nor disagree - non 4. Partly disagree - non 5. Completely disagree - non “If you have nothing to hide you don’t have to worry about security technologies that infringe your privacy” Completely agree - 20 Partly agree - 5 Neither agree nor disagree - non Partly disagree - non Completely disagree - non “When security technology is available, we might just as well make use of it” Completely agree - 23 Partly agree - 2 Neither agree nor disagree - non Partly disagree - non Completely disagree - non “Privacy should not be violated without reasonable suspicion of criminal intent” Completely agree - 25 Partly agree - non Neither agree nor disagree - non Partly disagree - non Completely disagree non “It is uncomfortable to be under surveillance, even though you have no criminal intent” Completely agree - 21 Partly agree - 4 Neither agree nor disagree - non Partly disagree - non Completely disagree - non Active CCTV surveillance cameras and automatic face recognition where faces of people are checked against a database of known terrorist are security technologies that can be used to prevent terror attacks, e.g. in airports or train stations. These security technologies could possibly prevent a terror attack, but the effect is not proven. They could also lead to innocent persons being mistaken for terrorists and taken aside for questioning. At what cost should these technologies be put to use?(you can circle more than one answer to this question) Active cameras and automatic face recognition should be used no matter how many innocent persons are mistaken for terrorists - 12 Active cameras and automatic face recognition should be used but only with a low rate of people mistaken for Terrorists - 8 Active cameras and automatic face recognition should only be put to use if no one is mistaken for terrorist - non Active cameras and automatic face recognition should only be used in places where many crimes have occurred or that are very vulnerable to terror - 10 Active cameras and automatic face recognition should not be used anywhere - non Don’t know - non New technology makes it possible to scan and combine data from different databases containing personal information with the purpose of detecting suspicious patterns in personal communication and Internet use. The purpose is to foresee and prevent terror attacks, but it means scanning personal data from innocent persons. What police access to search and combine different databases do you find acceptable? (you can circle more than one answer to this question) Police should have access to search and combine all databases for suspicious patters that can identify possible Terrorists - 15 Police should only have access to search and combine databases if the data is anonymous and only a court order can have the identity revealed - 8 Police should never be allowed to search and combine databases for suspicious patterns -non Don’t know - 2 Where do you think security cameras are required? 1. Public Buildings – 25 2. Schools – 5 3. Libraries – 18 4. Residential areas – 4 5. Airports - 25 Proposals Only authorized personnel can have access to collected personal data Of high importance - 25 Of some importance - non Of little importance -non Not important at all - non Don’t know - non Prior to implementing, new security technologies must be checked for privacy impact 1. Of high importance - 25 2. Of some importance - non 3. Of little importance - non 4. Not important at all - non 5. Don’t know - non You have answered many diverse and detailed questions about security technologies and privacy. In conclusion we would like to ask you two final questions. Have you changed your attitude towards security technologies in general in the course of completing this questionnaire? 1. Yes, my attitude towards security technologies in general has become more positive - 7 2. Yes, my attitude towards security technologies in general has become more worried - 4 3. No, I have not changed my attitude - 9 4. Don’t know -5 If there are any comments concerning security technologies that you would like to add or that you have not had the opportunity to express in this questionnaire, please feel free to make a remark below: (open text box) I have nothing to add Your remarks ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________ The Findings : Are security Cameras required in public palces and buildings ? Installing security cameras always does have its pros and cons and the debate will continue as to the number of cameras to be installed, where and who is to access data. In public places if they are positioned in the right places it would definitely increase public safety and can be advantageous in respect to several issues. Many crimes have been solved with the help of recordings from security cameras and many problems have been taken care of with the help of the footage from surveillance cameras. However if the surveillance is done properly one can avoid incidences before they happen as well. “Generally, camera systems have been rolled out with little prior research into the effectiveness or appropriateness of the technology, as in most cases the deployment is driven by a public relations need to create the impression of heightened security”. (Video Surveillance. privacyinternational.org/article.shtml?cmd%5B347%5D=x-347-5590) From the above survey we can gather that not everyone is comfortable being under surveillance but certainly there is an approval for security measures to safeguard public places and the public itself. Places where security cameras are not welcome. People usually do not object to cameras in malls and other public places and are usually oblivious to being watched. But when it comes to streets in residential areas and some private places there certainly is an issue. Schools for that matter are a disputed place for surveillance cameras. This can however be taken care of by imposing restrictions on timings of surveillance and carefully keeping a restricted watch on data that is being surveyed. In certain places like Liverpool crimes like shoplifting and prostitution has been brought under control making public feel safer even at night. Misconceptions and Assumptions Security cameras used to be misconstrued as invasion on a persons privacy but this has changed with the growing menace of terrorism. As we can see most of the people agree to having security cameras and it has become a part of life. In fact it is almost expected that all public buildings and places are equipped with security cameras. People feel safer and assured when they know their safety is priority and is being taken care of by the people concerned. Of course the limitations are stressed upon by the survey conducted where the public will be more comfortable knowing they are under surveillance and that the data is being monitored by authorized personnel only. Interview Facility manager who is in charge of security for big corporates in his interview states that : Installing security cameras always does have its pros and cons and the debate will continue as to the number of cameras to be installed, where and who is to access data. In public places if they are positioned in the right places it would definitely increase public safety and can be advantageous in respect to several issues. Many crimes have been solved with the help of recordings from security cameras and many problems have been taken care of with the help of the footage from surveillance cameras. Usually security cameras prove helpful after an incident to identify criminals . However if the surveillance is done properly one can avoid incidences before they happen as well. Government authority on use of security cameras: With the advanced technology we now have digital video surveillance cameras which can be linked with computer data with additional sensor or motion detectors to filter out unwanted activities. This system enables the police with investigations as they can zero in on exactly what they want while filtering out the rest. These high resolution cameras are highly advantageous from the security point of view. Now a day’s work places and businesses rely a lot on security cameras which are legal and are able to have a better control of their environment not only in terms of safety but also ethics. An event such as the World Trade Center bombing, the Oklahoma City bombing etc. has made the public more acceptable to security cameras as a necessity in today’s world. Security personnel on advantages of security cameras: It certainly is a very powerful tool in safety measures especially for public safety in airports, schools, and other critical places. The round the clock monitoring has helped spot criminal activity and has been invaluable in keeping control of vast places. It has helped in controlling vandalism in public libraries and protects public assets to a large extent. Cities have become increasingly unsafe and a security threat in the wake of several terrorist attacks around the world. You need to find a face in the crowd especially when police personnel are looking for a suspected terrorist with just a mug shot to go by. The latest technology can literally pluck a face out of the crowd and help you identify a criminal or find a match. Politician on use of security cameras: Surveillance cameras are definitely the need in today’s world, however the limitations are to be accessed and put in place to avoid misuse of the technology. Currently there are no legally enforced rules and regulations that concern privacy with regard to abuse of CCTV. Public should be made aware of criteria’s involved in surveillance and security systems so as to make the best of the safety measures provided to them. The increasing surveillance cameras in public places will certainly bring a change to our public places and the people using them. Even if the public became conscious enough to pass laws limiting the use of cameras, its not clear how well those laws can function. Conclusion Even though there is a certain amount of opposition to surveillance it is generally accepted as a necessary security measure. The people interviewed above have clearly stated their views which are for the use of security cameras and given each of their position we can assume they have the authority on what is being stated. The use of surveillance cameras may not really stop a terrorist attack but they certainly have a profound effect in keeping petty crimes under control. There has to be proper limitations of control on camera use in order to draw the line so that the public surveillance system does not turn into a surveillance monster. Works Cited Warren Cohen. 25 ways to fight terrorism. Feb 2002. Vol II no: 6. 29th May, 2008. http://www.prism-magazine.org/feb02/25.cfm Etbe. Public security cameras. 5th Oct, 2007. Ideas for a home university. 29th May, 2008. http://etbe.coker.com.au/2007/10/05/public-security-cameras/ The advantage of having a complete security cameras system. 12th Dec, 2007. Security Camera Video Surveillance CCTV Systems & Security Camera Systems. 29th May, 2008. http://www.2mcctv.com/article_info.php?articles_id=135 Holger FLOETING.Public and Private Spaces Under Changing Security Conditions. Can Technology Keep Us Safe? 29th June, 2008. http://programm.corp.at/cdrom2007/archiv/papers2007/corp2007_FLOETING.pdf. Too little too late. Surveillance Camera Players. 29th May, 2008. http://www. http://www.publicspace.ca/cameras/documents/SummaryOfRelevantFindings.html notbored.org/nyclu-report.html Surveillance. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. 29th May2008. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveillance Marcus Nieto. Public Video Surveillance. June 1997. Is It An Effective Crime Prevention Tool? 29th May, 2008. http://www.library.ca.gov/crb/97/05/ Whats Wrong With Public Video Surveillance? ACLU. 2002. American Civil Liberties Union. 29th May, 2008. http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/PVSisBadIdea.html Connie Paige. The Boston Globe. 24th April, 2008. In more public places, cameras are on watch. 29th May, 2008. http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/04/24/in_more_public_places_cameras_are_on_watch/?page=1 STEPHEN KINZER. Chicago Moving to Smart Surveillance Cameras. 21st Sept, 2004. The New York Times. 29th May, 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/21/national/21cameras.html Glenn Harlan Reynolds. Watching the Watchers: Why Surveillance Is a Two-Way Street. Jan 2008. f governments and businesses can keep an eye on us in public spaces, we ought to be able to look back. 29th May.2008. http://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/military_law/4237005.html Fire Tide. Video Surveillance. Enhance Safety and Lower Surveillance Costs. 29th May, 2008. http://www.firetide.com/innerContent.aspx?taxid=6&id=50 Bruce Schneier. Schneier on Security. 6th Aug, 2007. A blog covering security and security technology. 29th May, 2008. http://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2007/08/securitytheater.html Privacy International. PHR2006 - Privacy Topics - Video Surveillance. 18th Dec, 2007. Surveillance Cameras. 29th May, 2008. http://www.privacyinternational.org/article.shtml?cmd%5B347%5D=x-347-559088 Security Cameras in public places. Living in Chicago. 29th May, 2008. http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~jvcooper/techno/security-cameras Questionnaire on security technology and privacy. PRISE project questionnaire survey on the attitudes towards security technology and privacy. 30th May. 2008. http://www.cipast.org/download/Questionaire%20on%20security%20technology%20and%20privacy.pdf Read More

Interview Facility manager who is in charge of security for big corporates in his interview states that : Installing security cameras always does have its pros and cons and the debate will continue as to the number of cameras to be installed, where and who is to access data. In public places if they are positioned in the right places it would definitely increase public safety and can be advantageous in respect to several issues. Many crimes have been solved with the help of recordings from security cameras and many problems have been taken care of with the help of the footage from surveillance cameras.

Usually security cameras prove helpful after an incident to identify criminals . However if the surveillance is done properly one can avoid incidences before they happen as well. Government authority on use of security cameras: With the advanced technology we now have digital video surveillance cameras which can be linked with computer data with additional sensor or motion detectors to filter out unwanted activities. This system enables the police with investigations as they can zero in on exactly what they want while filtering out the rest.

These high resolution cameras are highly advantageous from the security point of view. Now a day’s work places and businesses rely a lot on security cameras which are legal and are able to have a better control of their environment not only in terms of safety but also ethics. An event such as the World Trade Center bombing, the Oklahoma City bombing etc. has made the public more acceptable to security cameras as a necessity in today’s world. Security personnel on advantages of security cameras: It certainly is a very powerful tool in safety measures especially for public safety in airports, schools, and other critical places.

The round the clock monitoring has helped spot criminal activity and has been invaluable in keeping control of vast places. It has helped in controlling vandalism in public libraries and protects public assets to a large extent. Cities have become increasingly unsafe and a security threat in the wake of several terrorist attacks around the world. You need to find a face in the crowd especially when police personnel are looking for a suspected terrorist with just a mug shot to go by. The latest technology can literally pluck a face out of the crowd and help you identify a criminal or find a match.

Politician on use of security cameras: Surveillance cameras are definitely the need in today’s world, however the limitations are to be accessed and put in place to avoid misuse of the technology. Currently there are no legally enforced rules and regulations that concern privacy with regard to abuse of CCTV. Public should be made aware of criteria’s involved in surveillance and security systems so as to make the best of the safety measures provided to them. The increasing surveillance cameras in public places will certainly bring a change to our public places and the people using them.

Even if the public became conscious enough to pass laws limiting the use of cameras, its not clear how well those laws can function. Conclusion Even though there is a certain amount of opposition to surveillance it is generally accepted as a necessary security measure. The people interviewed above have clearly stated their views which are for the use of security cameras and given each of their position we can assume they have the authority on what is being stated. The use of surveillance cameras may not really stop a terrorist attack but they certainly have a profound effect in keeping petty crimes under control.

There has to be proper limitations of control on camera use in order to draw the line so that the public surveillance system does not turn into a surveillance monster. Works Cited Warren Cohen. 25 ways to fight terrorism. Feb 2002. Vol II no: 6. 29th May, 2008. http://www.prism-magazine.org/feb02/25.cfm Etbe. Public security cameras. 5th Oct, 2007. Ideas for a home university. 29th May, 2008.

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