How Security Camera Systems Work
Security camera systems work via closed-circuit television
(CCTV). This CCTV differs from broadcast television because all
of the components of the cameras and televisions are linked with
cables or alternate direct means. CCTV can be viewed in
real-time, and there is no need to broadcast a signal.
CCTV can be found in many places, including airports, casinos,
banks, and the streets. Cameras can be placed in inconspicuous
or obvious places. There is usually a security room that has
individual televisions that are directly connected to a specific
security camera. The amount of security personnel needed to
monitor the cameras varies with respect to the amount of cameras
needed. In casinos, there can be hundreds of cameras.
CCTV has been used extensively in the United Kingdom.
Authorities place cameras in car parks and on the streets. These
camera placements have significantly reduced car crimes.
Authorities in the United Kingdom have been pushing for the
introduction of even more cameras. CCTV is very good for crime
detection and prosecution.
One draw back of security cameras is that many claim that they
are an invasion of privacy. Another argument is that CCTV
displaces crime instead of reducing it. CCTV has been accused of
being an invasion of civil liberties.
The history of CCTV dates back to when the cameras used in
public places were very simple and low quality. Today's cameras
have high definition digital rendering and can even track object
movement. When cameras are positioned correctly and synched,
they can trace an objects movement over a long period of time.
Cameras can also have the potential ability to have facial
recognition. Currently, high-definition cameras are unable to
distinguish faces completely which leads to a plethora of false
positives. Critics of facial recognition technology site the
potentiality for mass surveillance and the further loss of civil
liberties.
Current CCTV technology being developed in the UK and the US
aims at creating a computerized monitoring system that would
allow security guards and CCTV operators to not have to look at
all of the screens. This would allow an operator to run many
more CCTV cameras, which could reduce security costs. This type
of system does not look at people directly, but rather
recognizes certain types of questionable behavior. A drawback of
this could be that computers cannot distinguish between normal
behavior, such as waiting for someone on a busy street, and
suspicious behavior, such as loitering around a car.
Security cameras are very effective for crime conviction and
identification, but not as effective for crime prevention. The
idea is that security cameras help prevent crime because people
are less willing to commit infractions if a camera is in plain
sight. The down side to this is that some security cameras are
hidden, so criminals have no deterrent. Security camera
technology is constantly becoming more advanced, and so security
cameras should be able to find criminals, and hopefully prevent
more crimes in the future.