CCTV Security Cameras
Everywhere you go these days you are going to see security cameras. These are usually CCTV security cameras which are being monitored by somebody in a separate location. The main reason to use these cameras is to help prevent crime, a role at which they are really only modestly successful. Nevertheless they are usually the best option available when it comes to deterring criminals.
CCTV is simply closed circuit television, this is where what the camera records is then transmitted back to any screens that are connected to it. Virtually all security cameras operate in this way. In fact you don’t have to have any screens to view CCTV security cameras at all, you can simply record what the camera sees so that it can be viewed later. Nevertheless when most people think of CCTV security cameras they think of the ones that are installed in places like banks and transit stations that are continuously monitored. These types of cameras are usually used only in areas that need to be continuously monitored and are not generally used for protecting a private home adequately.
These days if you go out in public you are going to encounter CCTV security cameras, they are almost everywhere. The threat of property crime is so great that almost all businesses with have cameras both outside and inside their buildings. Areas where there are large crowds of people will also usually have cameras. Transit stations, major intersections you name it no matter where you go these days there is a pretty good chance that you are being recorded on camera. The main reason for this of course is to prevent crime, or at least to be able to solve the crime if it does occur. Unfortunately the evidence would suggest that CCTV security cameras are not particularly effective in this role.
The problem with CCTV security cameras is that they rarely actually result in the criminals being caught. It is very difficult to identify somebody off of a security camera. At best you are going to get a low quality picture, unless you already have a suspect in mind, finding the person you see on the camera is going to be nearly impossible. Since CCTV security cameras are not very effective at solving crimes they offer little deterrence either. Few criminals worry too much about being caught on camera committing a crime.
Given the high cost and poor track record of CCTV security cameras when it comes to catching criminals it raises the question of why bother using them. The main reason is that if they camera is being monitored it can be used to catch a crime in progress. If there is somebody watching the screen and he sees a crime he can call the police and inform them. This greatly increases the likelihood of the criminals being caught and is the main reason that you would want to use CCT security cameras.