Positive Effects of CCTV on the Society - Report Example

Positive Effects of CCTV on the Society Positive Effects of CCTV on the Society Introduction Domestic counterterrorism strategiesand the necessity to enhance security justify the use of surveillance cameras by government security personnel in most countries. Installation of CCTV within premises and streets contributes significantly to abating and mitigating antisocial acts by members of the society (Kruegle 2007, pp. 2). Besides enhancing security and counterterrorism, surveillance has several positive effects. CCTV surveillance has positive effects on the society’s political, economic and social dimensions. Even though critics relate surveillance to violation of citizens’ rights, it is justified because of its importance in promoting social, political and economic prosperity. Economic Importance There is a direct co-relation between CCTV installation within any society and the society’s socio-economic growth. Not only does this endeavor control security measures on both private and public premises, but in the process, also ensure a society’s economic security (Webster, et al. 2012, pp. 45-55). Based on historical perspective and practical indications from selected countries such as America, surveillance enhances the society’s overall security. According to Fenwick, surveillance is important in the restoration of security situations (Fenwick 2011, pp.183-191). Fenwick maintains that enhanced security is the main rationale for the installation of surveillance cameras in the society. Although premises may remain bugler-pervious, CCTV helps to reduce chances of premise invasion. Most residents, however, disapprove of CCTV surveillance camera use in premises (Webster, et al. 2011, pp. 319-338). Promoting Social Integration A society’s social interaction among its members would be transparent and enhanced by constant surveillance. In essence, the situation involves a sophisticated form of social interaction emanating from proper choice of words, body language and facial expressions. Social integration among society members is likely to improve under surveillance conditions. Constant surveillance implies that all social transactions remain highly transparent, integral and reputable in a manner that avoids tainting an individual and society’s outstanding reputation. Surveillance also promotes discipline and honesty within the society. Society members involved in any form of social interaction would always feel their movements are subject to inspection through the surveillance system. However, it is imperative to note that social interaction is an inevitable endeavor within the society despite formal restrictions associated with perceived interaction in the glare of CCTV (ODonnell, Jetten & Ryan 2010, pp. 135-147). Promoting Investments and Development Enhanced security attributed to well-established surveillance boosts prospective investors’ confidence to start up developments and projects in the society. Business thrives well in locations with adequate security at day and night. In relation to that, existence of CCTV within the community is a prerequisite for business investments and development of other economic interventions. Subsequently, this acts as a pointer to socio-economic development of a society. Security in this case does not only refer to businesses and investors’ security but also that of the prospective customers. Customers are, in this case, members of the entire society. Economic growth and development of any society has a mutual link with the security status. This, therefore, points to the widespread role CCTV not only to a small society but also to widespread locality such as a country (Webster, et al. 2012, pp. 45-55). Surveillance reduces idleness among youths because they avoid open areas. Cameras installed strategically at identified locations the society prevent potential criminal acts. Reduced criminal acts such as robbery provide a viable environment to development and businesses (Williams & Ahmed 2009, pp. 743-758). Supporting the Justice System Surveillance is important in supporting the justice system in the society. Rendering social and legal justice depends on the existence of justified evidence to implicate the accused. It is often strenuous to extract credible evidence because of the long process of collecting and putting them together to implicate accused criminals. Surveillance is imperative in simplifying evidence collection process. They present firsthand, accurate and socially and legally justified evidence to implicate accused criminals within the society (Webster et al, 2012, pp. 57-68). CCTVs are surveillance video cameras, performing similar roles as normal video cameras. This means that no one would have to obtain unfair judgment or accusation for that matter before the courts of law once convicted. Besides, CCTVs serve the role of reducing time and money otherwise required for comprehensive investigations into crime and criminology within the society. This makes it possible for legal institutions – courts and other legal institutions – to have timely conclusion of cases against convicts (Webster et al. 2012, pp. 21-34). Promoting Political Accountability Surveillance promotes political responsibility and harmonious existence among society members. Detailed surveillance reports of facts and actual happenings within the society captures through highly sensitive cameras promote accountability. Political leaders, therefore, are likely to ensure accountably to every action they take that may influence peaceful existence among society members. Political offenders cannot engage in antisocial acts and escape unnoticed in places where there are surveillance cameras installed. However, this calls upon comprehensive analysis of surveillance reports that compel leaders to adopt accountability procedure. Accountability among politicians enhances proper mutual relationship and social wellbeing of members of the society (Sheldon 2011, pp. 193-203). Supporting Environmental Conservation Surveillance is imperative in enhancing environment conservation programs in the society. Environmental resources are under threat of depletion. Resource depletion is largely human-induced through actions such as increased industrialization, illegal resource harvesting and unsustainable livelihoods. In this regard, there has been a growing concern towards effective monitoring and management of such resources for sustainable development. Strategically installed surveillance cameras contribute to monitoring inventory of natural resource use and management within the society. Environmental resource management institutions and individuals can use the pictorial and video images as captured on CCTV cameras to plan for natural resource management. Besides, surveillance cameras may also aid other natural resource conservation dimensions such as resource mapping and documentation for effective management planning and strategic intervention (Webster, et al. 2012, pp. 134). Critics’ Point of View Besides the positive implications of CCTV the society, opponents of surveillance condemn it for different reasons. Associated costs of acquisition, installation and management of the CCTVs present serious disadvantages within the society. Critics of surveillance highlight the high installation and surveillance costs of cameras. Because of the extremely high installation and management costs of camera, critics condemn government and security organizations’ surveillance operations. Critics refer to surveillance projects as extravagant use of citizens’ tax levy. Critics of surveillance challenge most governments to compensate society members all expenditures incurred on the costs of surveillance projects’ installation and management. In this regard, there are possibilities for strained budget for the society in the earlier periods of the cameras’ installation. In addition, critics’ logical analysis of the role of such CCTV cameras within the expanse of the society portrays violation of citizens’ freedom and basic rights. It is probably illogical for humans to be monitored in whatever actions they do, what they talk about and wherever they are at any given time. That is exactly what CCTV cameras do after their installation. The cameras undermine human privacy and dignity as they go about their daily endeavors. It is not realistic if CCTV cameras could focus on specific objects. This is why the situation of human dignity violation becomes real. Conclusion The debate of whether CCTV has positive effect on the society remains controvertible. In addition to promoting political accountability, proponents of surveillance relate it to improved social and economic conditions in the society. The contentious debate on the importance of surveillance goes beyond the aforementioned points. However, a point to note is that while there have been numerous positive effects of CCTV within the society, critics also relate surveillance operations to freedom and rights violation. It also has several negative effects on society members according to critics. References Fenwick, D 2011, Terrorism, CCTV and the Freedom Bill 2011: Achieving compatibility with Article 8 ECHR?, International Review Of Law, Computers & Technology, 25, 3, pp. 183-191, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 25 June 2014. Kruegle, H 2007, CCTV Surveillance Analog and Digital Video Practices and Technology. Burlington, MA, Elsevier Butterworth Heinemann. https://webapps.cit.ecu.edu.au/eblauth/index.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ECU.eblib.com.au%2FEBLWeb%2Fpatron%2F%3Ftarget%3Dpatron%26extendedid%3DE_263929_0. 2 ODonnell, A, Jetten, J, & Ryan, M 2010, Who is watching over you? The role of shared identity in perceptions of surveillance, European Journal Of Social Psychology, 40, 1, pp. 135-147, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 25 June 2014. Sheldon, B 2011, Camera surveillance within the UK: Enhancing public safety or a social threat?, International Review Of Law, Computers & Technology, 25, 3, pp. 193-203, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 25 June 2014. Webster, C, Klauser, F, Topfer, E, Raab, C, & Fussey, P 2012, Eastern promise? East London transformations and the state of surveillance, Information Polity: The International Journal Of Government & Democracy In The Information Age, 17, 1, pp. 21-34, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 25 June 2014. 1-15 Webster, C, Klauser, F, Töpfer, E, Raab, C, & Zurawski, N 2012, From crime prevention to urban development, Information Polity: The International Journal Of Government & Democracy In The Information Age, 17, 1, pp. 45-55, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 25 June 2014. Webster, C, Klauser, F, Topfer, E, Raab, C, Galdon Clavell, G, Lojo, L, & Romero, A 2012, CCTV in Spain: An empirical account of the deployment of video-surveillance in a Southern-European country, Information Polity: The International Journal Of Government & Democracy In The Information Age, 17, 1, pp. 57-68, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 25 June 2014. Webster, C, Topfer, E, Klauser, F, Raab, C, & Clavell, G 2011, Local surveillance in a global world: Zooming in on the proliferation of CCTV in Catalonia, Information Polity: The International Journal Of Government & Democracy In The Information Age, 16, 4, pp. 319-338, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 25 June 2014. Webster, C. W. R., ToPfer, E., Klauser, F. R., & Raab, C. D 2012, Video Surveillance: Practices and Policies in Europe, IOS Press, Fairfax, VA. Williams, D, & Ahmed, J 2009, The relationship between antisocial stereotypes and public CCTV systems: exploring fear of crime in the modern surveillance society, Psychology, Crime & Law, 15, 8, pp. 743-758, Academic Search Premier, EBSCOhost, viewed 25 June 2014. Read More