Closed-circuit television (CCTV) Case Study

1. INTRODUCTION

Remember! smile ,when you are walking along a major street because you are recorded by a Closed-circuit camera. While walking along the street ,glanced up and you will probably see cameras glaring back at you. Perhaps that you cannot see them, but they are there. Have you ever bump your head and immediately after looked around to see if anyone was watching at you? That has happened to almost everybody, but as majority does not see such action or we might say as incident.

However, CCTV or Closed-circuit television have got them clearly recorded.

According to Wikipedia , Closed-circuit television (CCTV) is the use of video cameras to transmit a signal to a specific place ,on a limited set of monitor . Marie Van Brittan Brown was the inventor of the CCTV camera. Nowadays, we are not only depending only on security personnel but also electronic devices. State-of-the-art and effective CCTV cameras are one of the benefits of the advances of technology in the enhancement of security .

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Closed-circuit televisions are often seen in universities, businesses, stations , shops and even government institution in order to provide video surveillance and deter crime.

A British Home Office promotional booklet , CCTV: Looking Out For You (Home Office, 1994), actually states that the technology can be a solution to many problems, such as vandalism, drug use, drunkenness, racial harassment, sexual harassment, loitering and disorderly behaviour (Davis 1999).However , the usage of CCTV monitoring is not without a debate . Even so, I strongly believe that Closed-circuit television (CCTV) should be installed in every single place to combat the increasing theft rate and to protect the masses.

2.THE ADVANTAGES OF CLOSED-CIRCUIT CAMERA

2.1. PREVENT CRIME

First of all, CCTV system helps in preventing all kinds of crime. If a crime is committed, the culprit will be eventually caught . By having a closed circuit television at workplace, crimes of stealing and theft robbed from a jewelry store can be trimmed down. This is because if the criminals know that there are cameras then they would be more likely to just move on to an easy target. The clips taken by these cameras serve as a source of evidence to help trace the thieves. For further illustration, the cops in Malaysia and many other developed countries used the videos captured by the Closed-circuit television (CCTV) to trace and successfully catch a group of robbers who broke into a Seven Eleven shop during the midnight.

The mere presence of CCTV is enough to reduce the rate of crime in most cases. That is why some businesses will put up a dummy CCTV camera to fool criminally minded individuals into thinking their actions are being monitored, and perhaps, persuade them not to commit the crime. In this manner, the business owner is not only protecting the customers and employees, but is also safeguarding the business. In the event of a crime, a recording of the events can be turned over to the authorities to aid their investigations.

2.2 KEEP RECORD

Furthermore, the clips captured by a CCTV camera system are often recorded and stored into a database. These are helpful in maintaining records so that they can be easily retrieved later when needed. As an example, sometimes the employees are required to handle some annoyed customers. When having a face-to-face interaction with frustrated customer, the situation can put the employee in physical danger. Hence, the installation of CCTV cameras may help the employees escape from this situation as the customers know very well that their conversations are recorded by the CCTV . In the event of an argument, the video which had been recorded can be used to determine what actually took place so that further actions can then be taken. In short, these cameras can help to provide some form of protection to the workers against the customers.

2.3 MONITORING TRAFFIC

Looking from another perspective, CCTV is also used for monitoring traffic by local or state roadways authorities to manage the traffic flows and providing an advice concerning traffic congestion .Road traffic control involves directing vehicle and pedestrian traffic around a construction zone or other road disruption , thus the government installed a Closed-circuit television by the roadside to ensure the safety of emergency response teams, construction workers and also the general public.

Speeding is a big problem that can cause some serious injuries. The government is now putting up cameras at stoplights to protect people from traffic violators. More than sixty cities in the U.S are using traffic cameras at busy intersections. Now, when a person runs a red light, or drives unreasonably fast through an intersection, they can expect a traffic citation. By installing these cameras, people are more likely to drive safe; this will inevitably lead to fewer accidents at some of the busiest intersections-it could even save lives. When one knows there are cameras around they are less likely to do something that might get them into trouble.

2.4 AVOID VIOLENCE IN SCHOOL

On the other hand , CCTV might also avoid violence and bullying in schools. The headmister or the headmistress would be able to see what actually happens in the classroom and he or she would be able to interfere in critical situations. In the past we had some very sad stories of students who used guns against their teachers and classmates. We all will never forget the tragedies of Columbus and Erfurt, where many people died. Only last year a 17-year-old German killed 16 students, teachers and inhabitants of a small town near Stuttgard. If cameras had been installed in the classrooms of the school , I very sure that this sad cases would not happen and many people would have survived .

2.5 LAW ENFORCEMENT

CCTV is used by law enforcement in public places, such as at traffic lights, to serve as a deterrent to those who might be tempted to break traffic laws. Those who violate traffic laws are identified and soon receive a ticket in the mail due to the presence of the CCTV cameras which record their car registration numbers. CCTV records car accidents and monitors traffic jams. CCTV is also beneficial to law enforcement in increasing personnel efficiency by decreasing the number of officers on the beat due to the fact that CCTV cameras are "patrolling" some areas, especially in places like the subway, airport and train station.

CCTV can help in the prevention of lawsuits by recording the actual sequence of events involving a customer and an establishment. Some customers might claim that an employee attacked them physically while they might have initiated the attack and the employee was only being defensive. In another scenario, a customer might deliberately spill some liquid on the ground, pretend to fall, and claim that it was there due to the company's negligence. A CCTV recording will sort things out.

3. THE DISADVANTAGES OF CLOSED-CIRCUIT CAMERA

3.1. NO GUARANTEE WILL CATCH ANY CRIME UNWANTED

As the after way of discuss the advantages , there are also the disadvantages of the Closed-circuit television.CCTV is usually not able to display every square inch of a business or facility. Even if the cameras are positioned correctly, there is no guarantee that the cameras will catch any crime or unwanted behavior done on the property. These cameras can sometimes be thwarted by covering them up or by sticking a piece of chewing gum on the lenses. Someone who is familiar with the property may still be able to get around the surveillance and avoid getting caught. If the cameras are positioned incorrectly, the high traffic areas of the facility will not be shown on camera. In this case, much of the behavior that the CCTV cameras are designed to detect will not be captured on tape.

3.2. NO MANAGE TO RECORD THE TIME

Along with the increased amount of cameras in public areas,CCTV security cameras are now being used in the office to monitor the staff. This is enable management to record how long the staff are taking their breaks and if they are going anything that could be considered inappropriate. This offen seen as an infringement of civil liberties, especially as there is possibility that, depending where management place the cameras, they could abuse their power.

4.CONCLUSION

As a conclusion , CCTV cameras are essential and therefore should be installed in every premise . This is chiefly to shield oneself from being harmed by any intruders or robbers . Admittedly , privacies are lost with the use of these cameras . In the Slate magazine of America state that:"We Need More Cameras , And We Need Them Now!' After the Boston Marathon Bombing Cases that happen on 15 april 2013 . However , one must realize that safety is of paramount importance compared to privacy and prevention is always better than suffering from the consequences . Nonetheless , safety should be put first in order to be safe .

Surveillance cameras can be very useful. They aren't here to spy on our private lives; they are here to protect our private lives. They catch the bad guys; they catch the drunk drivers and get them off the streets; they save businesses from bad employees and shoplifters, and most of all, they protect the right to a safe, better environment for all of us.

RESOURCE

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/closed-circuit_television . ,retrieved 13july2013

www.essayforum.com/writing-feedback-3/use-cctv-cameras-essay-29373 . ,retrieved 12july2013

www.wikipedia.org/wiki/road_traffic_control . , retrieved 15july2013

www.slate.com/articles/technology/2013/04/boston_bomber_photos_themarthon_bombing_shows_that_we_need_more_security.html . , retrieved 20july2013