CCTV cameras are supposed to make the world "safer". Safer from whom or what is the question. There is currently no evidence cameras deter crime, increase apprehensions, or secure convictions.
Meet grainy perp #27736652. He like assault rifles. He likes them so much, he helps himself to 2, maybe 3 servings!
The assault rifles were physically locked down which also included some sort of electronic security. This privately owned and operated camera system in combination with physical security was no match for this brazen silver haired grainy perp.
Cameras have been repeatedly been deemed an expensive and useless proposition by academic researchers, but that doesn't stop politicians from singing their praise. In fact, Richard Falkenrath of the NYPD's counter-terrorism unit believes cameras and license plate readers will deter terrorism.
Deterring terrorism with cameras is a bold statement. If Mr. Falkenrath could just stop our American youth from stealing CCTV camera systems I would be duly impressed.
"There is currently no evidence cameras deter crime, increase apprehensions, or secure convictions."
You really think there is no evidence of this in the private sector.
I can understand your criticism of the government but do you think retailers and banks spend hundreds of millions on video surveillance for nothing?
Retailers catch shoplifters every day using video surveillance. Showing one video where a thief succeeds at a store does not invalidate the use of video surveillance.
I think you are generalizations are too broad. I'd like to see the evidence where video surveillance that cameras do not increase apprehensions or convictions in the private sector.
Hi John,
I agree with you that cameras in the private sector have the potential to have a higher impact than in the public sector. However, there are no peer reviewed studies that prove this to be true, thus my comments on lack of evidence. It's also my opinion that because there are a much larger base of privately owned cameras (probably a ratio of at least 10:1 in most cities) that they have the potential to have a higher impact on apprehensions and prosecutions. Private CCTV cameras that are installed in private spaces have a "higher focus" than that of the public sector crime cameras. This means the photographic evidence should be much more useful during an investigation when the local police department utilizes images from the a private sector camera.
Until the day when each local police department publishes how they use the images in apprehension and prosecution efforts, we will remain in the dark on just how effective these systems really are.
I have provided three examples so far on effectiveness in the private sector, see the Edmonton cabbie post and the other two on vehicle vandalism.
To make my position clear, I am in favor of cameras in the private sector and private spaces.
Jeff