2010 February 03

Each day in the city, you can see people go to schools, do their business, drive around traffic, and do what they need to do. Generally, these people are law abiding and want nothing more than to go on with life.

However, there are those who want to get their desires and accomplish their goals through unlawful means. These people are the robbers, kidnappers, and other law-breaking citizens who prowl around the streets. They are the ones who make the alleys, sidewalks, parks, and other public places unsafe.

That is why elements of law enforcement work double time to monitor and apprehend these criminals. They have a lot of ways to do this-having increased regular patrols, using high-tech gadgets, training for even better tactics, participating in dangerous stakeouts, and even resorting to trickery.

One of these ways is through passive observation. By passive observation, policemen monitor public areas without them being in the vicinity! They rely on monitoring equipment to observe and record any activity in that particular area.

How do they do this? Passive monitoring is usually done by surveillance cameras. These cameras can actually zoom in on minute details-a person’s face, identification cards, even hidden weapons if the conditions are right. More advanced models are even equipped with sensitive microphones that record conversations. Connected to a large database, images of people can be matched to get a positive ID on potential suspects.

However, there are many critics who abhor the use of surveillance cameras. And one of the more serious concerns is the invasion of a person’s privacy.

You see, the police department usually assigns personnel to watch live footage for standard monitoring. Now critics are worried that officers may zoom in on some unsuspecting person and act like peeping toms rather than police officers.

For example, some officers might focus their cameras on a woman’s bosom and private parts for enjoyment. They might focus the camera on a window of a nearby apartment building and spy on people’s private activities. For more high-tech CCTVs, the microphone might be used to eavesdrop on conversations they are not privy with.

To prevent this intention, police have placed special features in their surveillance cameras these instances. For example, in some cameras, the images black out when focused above the second story of a building. Or the standard microphone feature is disabled, effectively eliminating the chance for private conversations to be heard, unless there is an approval from a high-ranking officer who posses an access code.

Skeptics still believe that these cameras pose a risk to their private lives, violating the Fourth Amendment as written in the U.S. Constitution. But while there were indeed few instances of misuse, it can’t be denied that these cameras are extremely useful. Police officers assigned to monitor them are generally responsible and respectful. With these cameras, monitoring personnel can dispatch officers on the crime scene more quickly. And of course, the recordings can review the footage for evidence.

Clearly, the benefits outweigh the cons.

By: Steve Strong

About the Author:

Many advocates claim security cameras are ineffective weapons against crime. Despite the multitude of research studies that show reduced crime rates in regions under surveillance these few people are still not convinced. One study of car parking garages showed a 51% reduction of criminal acts. Security cameras are an integral part of police investigation and special police units are dedicated to their use. Often officers with special training are monitoring 50-60 cameras at a time in a single room, which can be a monotonous ordeal, as camera feeds rotate through monitors every 5 – 10 seconds. However, anti surveillance activists frequently point to situations and circumstances where these units failed to respond when a crime was being committed.

In one such example a woman was assaulted at knife point while inside her apartment building monitored by approximately 200 security cameras. She was forced into a stairwell where there were no cameras and raped. To use the horrendous nature of events like these to lobby against security cameras is unfounded. Cameras did not record the crime itself, but did observe the struggle in the hallways.

What are the alternatives? What would be fool proof? Greater physical presence of police and security guards? What are the chances security personnel patrolling the grounds would have stumbled upon the crime in progress, especially since none of the residents heard or reported anything? If guards had missed the crime what options would police have to follow up with other than slowly taking the victims description of the suspect and developing a sketch.

While these are terribly unfortunate events, just because a crime is committed under surveillance does not mean there is a problem with cameras themselves. The presence of cameras and readily accessible digital footage frequently leads to a speedy arrest of the perpetrator. Since there are so many cameras on the streets and in buildings, many times police can retrace a criminal’s steps providing them with an excellent profile of the suspect or his identity. In the example above police were able to locate footage of the criminal approaching the building from a gas station across the street. Other cameras in the gas station spotted the assailant purchasing cigarettes with his credit card and obtained his identity. He was apprehended immediately. Video footage is excellent evidence of the crime and will likely lend for a speedy trial and conviction.

People are people and sadly they make mistakes. Improvements in security technology are vastly closing the human error gap with image recognition. These high tech surveillance cameras can recognize items such as a gun or knife, as well as suspicious behaviors and criminal acts such as vandalism and assault. Absolutely nothing should replace personal common sense. One should always be aware of their surroundings and never take personal safety for granted.

Advances in technology have brought about much higher quality cameras at reduced prices making it a viable option for almost any homeowner to have indoor and outdoor video surveillance. Wireless surveillance cameras are quickly becoming the popular choice since they are so easy to install. These cameras can be quickly installed since there are no holes to drill and wires to run. Monitored security systems will dispatch security agents and notify police immediately.

By: Mike Josh Ward

About the Author:

Some of us feel the need to watch over our children with a surveillance camera when they are babies. Camera surveillance provides information regarding their activities, condition and surroundings. Surveillance seems to continue from the time a child is born until they are watching over us (the parents) in our old age.

New Born

A surveillance system for a new born is referred to as a baby monitor. The most common type of system is a wireless camera often inside of a toy or stuffed animal sending a signal to a monitor. The monitor is portable so the parent can move the monitor with them to any location with in their home to view their new born child. The least expensive system is a battery operated camera and monitor. Baby monitors also come with wireless cameras that are plugged into a wall outlet, eliminating the need for batteries. Since the monitor is portable it will always require batteries.

Another system is a wireless camera transmitting a signal to a receiver then watched on a TV or recorded to a digital video recorder. The wireless camera is located in a housing such as a teddy bear with a transmitter. A signal is transmitted to a receiver where it is viewed on a monitor or recorded to a DVR/ USB. Many camera variations are created through the use of different housings.

As a young child begins to crawl and walk it becomes difficult to monitor their every move with only a single camera and a portable monitor. By placing additional cameras in the play areas and throughout the house it will be easy to view their activities while doing household responsibilities. Most hand held monitors have a viewing capability of at least 4 different cameras. With 4 cameras in operation four different views are available to see the babies activities.

Teens

The teen years are the most challenging for both the parents and teenagers. Families that have surveillance systems connected to the internet can easily check on their children when the children are at home and the parents are away from home. This occurs with a laptop or a computer at a location away from home. Home systems are created with the use of a wireless IP or a directly hardwired camera system connected to the internet. Having the ability to check on the children provides the assurance the children are being responsible while not at home.

Child surveillance is an individual responsibility and everyone has to make their own surveillance choices.

By: Dave Norton

About the Author:

Security in today’s modern business office is a very different set up than a uniformed security guard coming by to rattle a doorknob periodically in what was standard security measures which were generally ineffective at keeping any determined criminal out of the building. More sophisticated systems were later developed where the security guard watched a bank of surveillance cameras stationed at various sensitive points around the premises. The guard may add this electronic gadgetry to patrols on foot. There may even be guard dogs added to the security team.

Office security is much more sophisticated today. Not only is there a need of protecting valuable equipment such as computers, printers, copiers and fax machines from the risk of theft from outside sources, but unfortunately, employees are known to be the instigators of the crime as well. Who better to know where the office safe is kept or where the most current electronic gadgets can be found? A discreet camera can provide surveillance of any space. By adding video tapes or some other type of digital image capture, a record of anything that occurs within the scope of the camera lens is maintained.

This provides some security in that the picture of a thief or burglar is recorded. In itself, it will not prevent theft, but it can provide a notification through an alarm system that someone has entered the space that doesn’t belong there. With sophisticated systems, the human security forces such as guards or law enforcement personnel can be summoned if the security of a space is breached. Sometimes security cameras are used as a preventative measure, since someone planning a theft may change their mind when they see a camera that is presumably recording their actions.

A security camera can provide safety in areas of the building or office that may not be visible from the main area. Stairwells, elevators, basements or even secured areas can all be monitored by a security camera set up. This can provide protection from accidents or foul play for employees working alone or in dangerous areas.

Although less obvious as a reason for office surveillance via a camera, if you have questions about work being performed by various employees in your absence, using a hidden security camera is a way to be sure that your employees are working when they are supposed to be doing so and not occupying their work hours with horseplay, personal work or just hanging around the water cooler.

As a business owner or office manager, having office security cameras can also be used to protect yourself from claims regarding sexual harassment, verbal commitments and other situations where legal action is threatened. Care should be taken that placement of surveillance cameras is in compliance with all state and federal laws regarding privacy issues.

Using surveillance cameras as part of your overall office or building security makes a more effective tool than human surveillance alone, since cameras can be placed to protect in areas where a human being would be less effective.

By: Andrew Stratton

About the Author:

Crime has been a part of human society . . . and transgression. For millennia, people have been trying to stop or at least contain crime to a manageable level.

As years passed, the means to lessen and stop crime has advanced as crime became more complex. For example, from swords and arrows which can actually kill people, law enforcement now has guns and tasers. From bolas and staves which can stop criminals without killing them, law enforcement has developed rubber bullets and tear gas. From chariots and horse-drawn wagons to chase outlaws on horseback, law enforcement now has fast and tough police cars.

Another important development of law enforcement is surveillance. Surveillance has aided the police by monitoring crime-prone areas, checking out suspicious activities that may be a crime in progress. With surveillance, police are able to respond more quickly to a crime scene. Finally, surveillance allows police to gather evidence to convict a criminal to justice.

The foremost equipment in gathering surveillance are surveillance cameras. Sometimes called a CCTV, this modern equipment can zoom in and focus on details, and record images and, sometimes, conversations.

Many people think that surveillance cameras are just units. But, in fact, they are actually part of a larger system. Here, we will look at the important parts that make up this intricate system.

1. Camera – the camera itself is chock full of high technology. Most modern cameras have zoom functions which can focus on a person’s face, an identification mark, a strange baggage under his arm, or a weapon under his jacket. And the camera can zoom over a certain target from a hundred or more meters away.

2. Microphone – modern cameras are sometimes equipped with ultra sensitive microphones. Just like a camera lens, the microphone’s sensitivity and range can focus on a certain spot. This makes it an ideal surveillance tool for eavesdropping on clandestine conversations and illegal deals.

3. Housing – a camera’s housing provides protection for the fragile and sensitive electronics in it. The housing must be tough and sealed; no one wants rainwater or dust coming in to wreck havoc inside camera.

4. Mount – this is a frame or a stand where a surveillance camera is installed. The mount itself is screwed or bolted in places such as top of lampposts, the side of buildings, or inside traffic lights.

5. Servos – servos and gears allow the camera to move, allowing it to follow any target.

6. Computer network – this is the brain of the police surveillance network. The computer network allows operators to control the camera functions and monitor the activities in a given area. The operators manning the computer network also has direct contact with the police department for easy and quick deployment of law enforcement forces.

7. Recorders – Storage systems record and keep images as files to be used when police need to examine these images as evidence for apprehending criminals. In the past, images are recorded in magnetic tapes. Now, with the advent of computers and more advanced systems, the images are now stored digitally.

By: Steve Strong

About the Author: