Sensitive Microphones

Ever since man learned to hold a weapon, crime became a part of human society, an unfortunate but normal transgression that stems from humankind’s nature of selfishness and ambition.

To combat or at least lessen the emergence of crime, people developed the concept and application of law enforcement. Tools and means were given to them for such a purpose. As the times went by, these tools and ways improved as crime became more complex. For example, swords and arrows gave way to high-powered guns. Bolas and staves gave way to nonlethal weapons, such as, tear gas and rubber bullets. Horses that were once used to chase outlaws made way to fast motorcycle and cars.

Yet another way to unobtrusively prevent or stop crime is through surveillance. Passive surveillance has helped law enforcement monitor crime-prone areas or check out activities that may indicate a crime in progress. Through surveillance, law enforcement can respond more quickly to a crime in progress. Also, surveillance allows police to collect evidence to convict a criminal and place him behind bars.

There are many kinds of equipment and methods for surveillance. Foremost, however, are outdoor security cameras. These cameras, sometimes called CCTVs, provide high-definition images of suspects. More advanced models are equipped with ultra sensitive microphones to record possibly clandestine conversations.

One of the factors that are necessary for the effectiveness of the cameras is placement. These cameras should be placed in strategic places to maximize their efficiency. Here are some of the most common places where cameras are placed:

1. The sides of buildings – corners are very strategic. Cameras that are situated in these locations are able to take images of activities in alleys, corridors, and sidewalks were people are not likely to look.

2. Top of lampposts – cameras at the top of lampposts provide a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area. These cameras are the first line of surveillance. This location also takes preference since the cameras’ views are less likely to be blocked by trees and other objects.

3. Inside traffic lights – cameras inside traffic lights observe the flow of traffic and are essential in catching traffic violators. Most of these cameras are built inside the traffic light unit itself, making it unobtrusive.

4. Gateposts – outdoor security cameras are also placed on gateposts, especially on important edifices, such as, embassies, government offices, and police stations. These areas are tempting target for terrorists and other people with nefarious objectives.

5. On trees – some cameras are attached to trees, especially in places such as parks. Leaves and branches provide camouflage for these cameras. The main disadvantage though is that these same leaves and branches can block the cameras’ views.

6. Inside decorations – small cameras can be installed hidden behind picture frames and clocks. These are unobtrusive and can record whatever happened inside the house or an establishment even if the owner is not there. In fact, these cameras have caught erring employees doing some really disgusting deeds . . . without them knowing it! They don’t know that a camera is hidden inside that clock, speaker, or lamp socket.

By: Steve Strong

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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:

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: