Arguments Regarding Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) - Essay Example

?Running head: Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Arguments Regarding CCTV Insert Insert Grade Insert 16 March Arguments Regarding CCTV Introduction The physical security industry is ever advancing and one of the most common trends today is the use of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV). CCTV is used to monitor activities in public places such as towns, airports, schools, parks, streets, banks, hospitals, workplaces and even homes. The use of CCTV systems has become a common phenomenon in the modern world, especially in the UK. CCTV cameras have been installed almost everywhere and people’s activities are monitored every day. The use of CCTV has raised mixed reactions from members of the public, with some people supporting it while others are against it. Scope of essay This discussion explores the arguments concerning the use of CCTV surveillance. The proponents of CCTV surveillance mostly cite its benefits in improving security while the opponents feel that their privacy rights are being violated. The benefits and effectiveness of CCTV technology are discussed. Moreover, various controversial issues regarding the use of CCTV are discussed, including ethical, privacy, accountability and human rights issues. Definitions Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) refers to the use of video cameras to record and send signals to monitors in a remote location. Why CCTV? There are many reasons why people should invest in CCTV technology. CCTV cameras are becoming more affordable and most people can acquire them. They are a cost-effective option to hiring many security employees. CCTV cameras are also effective as they monitor and record details of activities in the area under surveillance. CCTV technology is also flexible as the footage can be watched through mobile phones and on the internet. This technology is also secure in protecting people and businesses (Harwood, 2007). People install CCTV to monitor the activities in their business premises and homes in order to prevent losses. CCTV is also used as a safety measure to monitor high-risk areas to ensure the safety of the public. It is also used as a management tool to monitor productivity of workers as well as demonstrate the commitment of the management to the safety of the workers and customers (Fennelly, 2003). Benefits of CCTV CCTV technology has numerous benefits. The presence of CCTV cameras in public places gives people a feeling of security. In public places such as parks, streets and cities, many crimes are perpetrated. It is difficult to single out criminals from the good citizens in the midst of a crowd of people. Therefore, the installation of CCTV cameras helps in reducing the anxiety of people in public places (Hogard, Ellis and Warren, 2007). They know that if anything goes wrong, it will be detected by the relevant authorities and they will promptly come to their rescue. They feel secure as they go about their economic activities. CCTV cameras also prevent people from worrying about the safety of their property and loved ones even in their absence because they are under CCTV surveillance. In addition, people who have installed CCTV cameras in their homes can watch the footage from any location and in case of an attempted break in, they can notify the authorities (Hogard, Ellis and Warren, 2007). Another benefit of CCTV cameras is that they prevent the loss of property especially in business (Fennelly, 2003). Having CCTV surveillance in business premises prevents the customers and employees from stealing goods or money from the business owner. Many businesses incur losses due to employee theft. Therefore, installing CCTV cameras in the premises will prevent the loss of goods and money from the company. Customers can also cause losses to a business through shoplifting, especially in self-service stores like supermarkets. The routine activity theory states that crime perpetration depends on the available opportunities. Crime happens in places that are not well protected. When employees or customers get an opportunity to steal from business premises that are not well protected, they will perpetrate the crime (Welsh and Farrington, 2006). Customers are not likely to shoplift in a store with CCTV surveillance. They will know that they are being watched and therefore, will not execute their plans (Fennelly, 2003). CCTV cameras also help in preventing crime. Potential criminals will be discouraged from carrying out their plans when they notice that their target location is under CCTV surveillance. Thus, criminals stay away from places under CCTV surveillance. Installation of CCTV cameras has helped prevent many crimes from being perpetrated. Consequently, the use of CCTV has saved many lives and prevented the loss of property. This supports the rational choice theory, which suggests that human beings weigh the benefits and risks before they make a rational decision. When criminals are aware of the presence of CCTV surveillance, they weigh the benefits and risks involved. The risk of being caught and imprisoned is greater than the benefits and therefore, they do not perpetrate crimes in areas under surveillance (Marsh and Melville, 2006). The social bond theory postulates that an individual’s attachment to peers or parental figures can deter criminal behavior. These people watch over the individual and prevent them from engaging in criminal activities. CCTV cameras can be seen as mechanical custodians that monitor and dissuade criminals from perpetrating crimes (Marsh and Melville, 2006). Potential crimes can also be prevented by early detection of suspicious activities through the CCTV cameras. Before the invention of CCTV technology, the authorities mostly learned about a crime after it had already been committed. However, today, they can stop a crime before it happens by interpreting suspicious behavior or activities leading to a crime. For instance, CCTV footage showing masked men approaching a building alerts the authorities about an imminent criminal activity. The authorities can intercept the criminals on time before they get into the building and perpetrate the crime (Welsh and Farrington, 2006). CCTV cameras are useful tools in bringing criminals to justice. The invention of CCTV technology has made it easier to catch criminals. It has also reduced the amount of time wasted in trying to prove that the criminals are guilty. The activities of criminals in areas under surveillance are recorded on the CCTV cameras. The footage on the CCTV cameras helps in identifying the perpetrators, who are pursued and prosecuted. CCTV cameras record all the activities and provide irrefutable evidence in court (Lanclos, 2012). Before the advent of CCTV technology, many criminals used to be set free after their arrest due to lack of evidence. CCTV cameras have assisted in catching such elusive criminals and putting them behind bars. Therefore, CCTV cameras help to rid the society of criminals by facilitating their apprehension and imprisonment (Lanclos, 2012). Having CCTV surveillance on the streets also helps to prevent and solve traffic offenses. The activities of reckless drivers on the road can be monitored and such people can be brought to justice (Fennelly, 2003). Problems on the roads can also be detected early and people can get notified and take appropriate action. In case of accidents, the erring driver can be identified and charged. The accident victims can also be attended to promptly and lives can be saved. CCTV cameras have helped in preventing many traffic offenses. Even in the absence of police patrols, the road users know that all their actions are being monitored. CCTV cameras can capture the number plates of vehicles whose owners get involved in traffic offences. Therefore, CCTV cameras compel road users to adhere to the traffic rules (Fennelly, 2003). CCTV cameras are also important in analyzing and monitoring trends in business (Kruegle, 2006). People can be observed to determine their buying patterns and organizations use this information to tailor their goods to the consumers’ needs. CCTV surveillance can help businessmen to make business decisions if they can watch all the operations in the premises. They can also observe the customer flow and determine hindrances to their satisfaction such as poor services, lack of enough parking spaces, and lack of seating spaces, among others (Kruegle, 2006). Many organizations also use CCTV cameras to evaluate the efficiency of the employees. Without CCTV surveillance, some employees neglect their responsibilities and waste company time if they are not being directly supervised by their superiors (Fennelly, 2003). Installation of CCTV cameras helps to monitor the performance of the staff. Employees will perform to their optimum at all times because they know that they are being watched. This will lead to productivity in the organization. Employers can monitor various aspects of employees such as punctuality and their interaction with customers. In addition, CCTV cameras ensure the safety of employees in the organization (Fennelly, 2003). Effectiveness of CCTV Studies show that CCTV has been effective in reducing property and personal crime. The presence of CCTV cameras has deterred crime. They have prevented loss of property and lives in homes and business premises. CCTV cameras have also been effective in helping authorities to interpret suspicious behavior and prevent the perpetration of crimes. They also provide evidence to help in proving criminals guilty. In addition, they have been effective in restoring order on the roads. They have also helped business people in managing and monitoring the efficiency of the workers. Criticism of CCTV However, opponents of CCTV claim that it is not effective. CCTV cameras are not completely effective in preventing crime. Opponents argue that installing CCTV cameras instead of hiring security guards may not prevent the crimes (Johnston, 2007). The presence of security personnel is better as they will try to prevent the perpetrators from committing the crime. The CCTV cameras will just record the details of the crime and help in catching the perpetrators. However, the perpetrators will have committed the crime already. Criminals may cause irretrievable losses to property or lives that could have been prevented by the presence of security guards. Therefore, CCTV cameras should not replace security guards and policemen (Johnston, 2007). Moreover, CCTV cameras cannot be relied on to give all the details about an incident. CCTV technology is not able to detect certain suspicious activities. For instance, a person carrying a concealed gun cannot be detected as suspicious and therefore the technology is not effective in preventing the crime. CCTV cameras also do not record sound. Therefore, it is difficult to detect activities such as criminals plotting to commit a crime since they cannot be heard (Fuller, 2012). In addition, a CCTV camera records the activities that are visible depending on its position. Activities taking place beyond its area of coverage will not be captured. Criminals can also hack into CCTV systems and tamper with the footage. They can also alter the position of the cameras to avoid being captured. Criminals can also damage CCTV cameras by using lasers or spraying substances on the lens to blur the images. Incompatibilities can also arise in the system because technology is dynamic. The development of new cameras with different features can cause inconsistencies. Thus, CCTV cameras are not completely reliable in helping to fight crime (Fuller, 2012). CCTV is also ineffective in increasing the productivity of employees as it reduces their morale. Consequently, their performance is negatively affected. The use of CCTV cameras to monitor the activities of employees causes suspicion. Loyal employees feel unappreciated when they realize that the employers do not trust them and this causes enmity between them. Employees can be scared by the knowledge that they are being watched and this can make them nervous. Some employees might try to adopt different personalities in order to impress their employers. This anxiety will affect their performance. In addition, a lot of employee time is spent in monitoring the CCTV cameras. These employees could be doing something else that is more productive to the organization (Agre and Rotenberg, 1998). Another argument is that the advent of CCTV technology has increased the rate of crime. Criminals are taking advantage of the CCTV technology to steal from unsuspecting citizens. Criminals use the CCTV cameras to steal money from Automated Teller Machines (ATM) (Grolle, 2009). They hide the cameras where people cannot see them and monitor the ATM’s keypad. Unsuspecting individuals are recorded while pressing their Personal Identification Numbers (PIN). Criminals use these PINs to withdraw money from people’s accounts (Grolle, 2009). CCTV surveillance also increases the recorded crimes. Many minor offences that often go unreported will be captured by CCTV cameras and the figures of recorded crime will increase. Actual crime does not increase but crime reporting increases. In addition, the installation of CCTV cameras in stores and shopping malls may have negative effects. It may drive away the customers. People do not like to be monitored and therefore may opt for stores without CCTV surveillance (Lanclos, 2012). CCTV surveillance is also ineffective because it relocates crime instead of reducing it. Criminals avoid perpetrating crimes in areas with CCTV surveillance but do so in areas without it. Installation of CCTV surveillance does not make criminals to give up their habits. Thus, installation of CCTV surveillance is not successful in preventing crime. People may also adopt different ways of perpetrating the crimes that cannot be detected by CCTV cameras (Grolle, 2009). The rational choice theory suggests that when criminals experience obstacles that prevent them from exploiting their opportunities, they try to find new ways to continue with the offences; but after weighing the risks and benefits. Therefore, if security measures such as CCTV are adopted in one place, the criminals will move to a less dangerous place to continue with the crimes (Marsh and Melville, 2006). Ethical issues There are several ethical issues concerning CCTV. Monitoring the activities of employees is considered unethical. Employers could be sued if they use CCTV cameras at the workplace in an unfair manner. For instance, surveillance of employees in changing rooms and bathrooms is violating their privacy. Moreover, failing to notify the employees about the CCTV surveillance is also unethical (Agre and Rotenberg, 1998). The use of the videos for other purposes or releasing them to the public is unethical. CCTV cameras should only be used for the purposes of preventing and investigating crimes. The CCTV surveillance viewers are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that CCTV videos are not to be released for any other purpose (Agre and Rotenberg, 1998). However, such individuals can go against these rules and release private information. Since CCTV cameras are installed almost everywhere, people could be recorded while doing private or embarrassing activities. Releasing such records to the public could irreparably ruin their reputation (Agre and Rotenberg, 1998). Privacy issues Opponents of CCTV feel that their privacy is being invaded. The installation of CCTV cameras on almost all public places makes people uncomfortable. People do not conduct their activities freely when they know that someone is watching. They argue that individuals have rights to privacy and therefore monitoring and recording their every move is a violation. However, this claim has been countered by the argument that being monitored in public places is not invasion of privacy. The government’s surveillance of private places like homes by is also considered to be privacy invasion. Moreover, people who use CCTV to spy on their neighbors invade their privacy and they can be sued (Fuller, 2012). Human rights issues Civil liberty groups are pushing for the removal of CCTV cameras in public places and places of work. They feel that the CCTV technology is infringing on human rights. The right to privacy is one of the basic human rights. Therefore, monitoring all the activities of people in public places is considered to be a human right violation. Moreover, when a person points CCTV cameras towards a neighbor’s residence to monitor them, it can be considered a violation of human rights. Monitoring the activities of employees without their knowledge is also a human right violation. In addition, releasing the CCTV footage to unauthorized individuals or exposing it to the public is a human right violation (Lanclos, 2012. People monitoring the CCTV footage also tend to be discriminatory. They spend more time watching certain people, especially black males because they feel that they are more likely to commit crimes. Discrimination is a human right violation. This biased monitoring may lead to failure to detect criminals. Other criminals who do not look suspicious might be perpetrating crimes while the security personnel focus on the people who they suspect (Fuller, 2012). Accountability issues CCTV cameras enhance accountability by bringing offenders to justice. They also increase the accountability of employees by ensuring that they work to the optimum and they do not steal from the organization. However, the use of CCTV footage for other purposes is a lack of responsibility on the part of the authorities. In addition, the government demonstrates lack of accountability by using public money to finance expensive security options like CCTV. Installation and maintenance of CCTV surveillance is expensive. Most CCTV systems in public places are set up using the taxpayers’ money. This money could be used to finance other cheaper security options and the remaining amount could be used for other purposes. Therefore, CCTV technology places an unnecessary economic burden on the citizens (Fuller, 2012). Conclusion From the above discussion, it is evident that the invention of Closed Circuit Television is one of the most innovative developments in the security industry. The use of CCTV surveillance in various public places has had numerous benefits to the members of the public. Supporters of CCTV surveillance argue that the technology is helpful in giving them peace of mind, protection of property, crime reduction, apprehending criminals, analyzing business trends, reducing traffic crimes, and monitoring the performance of employees. However, there are several criticisms of CCTV in that it violates privacy rights, displaces crime, reduces employee morale, is often unreliable, can be used malevolently, and is very expensive. Ethical, privacy, accountability and human rights issues have arisen. CCTV has both benefits and shortcomings and one should weigh both before investing in the technology. References Agre, P. E. and Rotenberg, M. (1998). Technology and Privacy: The New Landscape. New York: MIT Press. Fennelly, L. J. (2003). Effective Physical Security. UK: Butterworth-Heinemann. Fuller, S. (2012). The Disadvantages of CCTV Cameras. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.co.uk/list_7258408_disadvantages-cctv-cameras.html Grolle, S. (2009). CCTV to Prevent Crime? To what Extent Does CCTV Prevent Crime and how Does it effect the Life in Our Cities? Munich: GRIN Verlag. Harwood, E. (2007). Digital CCTV: A Security Professional's Guide. UK: Butterworth-Heinemann. Hogard, E., Ellis, R. and Warren, J. (2007). Community Safety: Innovation and Evaluation. UK: University of Chester. Johnston, P. (2007). “80 per cent of CCTV images ‘ineffective’.” The Telegraph. 20th October. Kruegle, H. (2006). CCTV Surveillance: Analog and Digital Video Practices and Technology. 2nd ed. UK: Butterworth-Heinemann. Lanclos, J. (2012). Advantages and Disadvantages of CCTV Cameras. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/about_5387590_advantages-disadvantages-cctv-cameras.html Marsh, I. and Melville, G. (2006). Theories of crime. USA: Taylor & Francis. Welsh, B. and Farrington, D.P. (2006). Preventing Crime: What Works For Children, Offenders, Victims, and Places. NY: Springer. Read More