CCTV (closed-circuit television) is a TV system in which signals are not publicly distributed but are monitored, primarily for surveillance and security purposes. Contrary to common belief, it does not have anything to do with wiretapping or hidden cameras, in fact it is widely used in areas such as banks, parking lots, traffic, casinos, shopping malls and even in convenience stores. When its usefulness is considered, use of CCTV in cities for surveillance purposes is obligatory considering the conditions of modern life.
Some may argue that CCTV breaches privacy rights of individuals. Their opinion is that people cannot act freely and express themselves as who actually they are because of the feeling someone is watching them. However, this …show more content…
It is incontestable that the most practical and efficient usage area of CCTV is preventing crime. It is a great weapon when it is used as a crime deterrent. If we take Liverpool, where one of the largest CCTV system in Great Britain is installed, as an example crimes such as shoplifting, prostitution, graffiti, and other nonviolent crimes have decreased by 25 percent between 1994 and 1997. (Nieto, 1997, p.7). According to British government reports (as cited in Nieto, 1997, p.7) burglaries fell by 69 percent in small towns, too. CCTV is also a source of precious mine that enable us to obtain evidence. If an undesired event happens, video records are first and the most reliable sources to check. According to Isaac Asimov, the only source to trust is objective evidence [provided by CCTV video records in this case] no matter how ridiculous an event is (1983, p.43). These records are also very helpful when appealed somebody’s testimony, testimony becomes more clear if it is supported by video evidences. Thirdly, CCTV makes it convenient for police forces with the purpose of tracking suspicious people and terrorists. The location of a fugitive suspect can easily be recognized by a large CCTV network; even an amateur camera installed in a grocery would contribute to law. Apart from this, CCTV can be used in order to increase labour productivity. In factories and offices, employees work harder and cannot easily cheat or attempt thefts due to existence of cameras. This situation also does customers’ heart good. Imagine having a kid attending a kindergarten. The parents feel more relieved when they see how teachers treat their child by watching video records that their child was involved
Some may argue that CCTV breaches privacy rights of individuals. Their opinion is that people cannot act freely and express themselves as who actually they are because of the feeling someone is watching them. However, this …show more content…
It is incontestable that the most practical and efficient usage area of CCTV is preventing crime. It is a great weapon when it is used as a crime deterrent. If we take Liverpool, where one of the largest CCTV system in Great Britain is installed, as an example crimes such as shoplifting, prostitution, graffiti, and other nonviolent crimes have decreased by 25 percent between 1994 and 1997. (Nieto, 1997, p.7). According to British government reports (as cited in Nieto, 1997, p.7) burglaries fell by 69 percent in small towns, too. CCTV is also a source of precious mine that enable us to obtain evidence. If an undesired event happens, video records are first and the most reliable sources to check. According to Isaac Asimov, the only source to trust is objective evidence [provided by CCTV video records in this case] no matter how ridiculous an event is (1983, p.43). These records are also very helpful when appealed somebody’s testimony, testimony becomes more clear if it is supported by video evidences. Thirdly, CCTV makes it convenient for police forces with the purpose of tracking suspicious people and terrorists. The location of a fugitive suspect can easily be recognized by a large CCTV network; even an amateur camera installed in a grocery would contribute to law. Apart from this, CCTV can be used in order to increase labour productivity. In factories and offices, employees work harder and cannot easily cheat or attempt thefts due to existence of cameras. This situation also does customers’ heart good. Imagine having a kid attending a kindergarten. The parents feel more relieved when they see how teachers treat their child by watching video records that their child was involved