Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at Work around the Home

Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) at Work around the Home

Corporations and government agencies have used Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) to monitor building exteriors and interiors, and control traffic, for many years. Most of us have seen cameras mounted high on the corner of company buildings, affixed high on a parking lot light pole, and even attached to traffic lights. With these devices security and law enforcement can observe, record, and quickly respond to any odd activity viewed on a security monitor. 

Closed-circuit systems have been a surveillance tool used not only by law enforcement, the military, and corporations but are becoming the first line of protection for homeowners. Cameras, strategically placed around the home, can project any outside activity to monitors inside the home. Closed Circuit televisions are capable of broadcasting surveillance into a network. With such a system the property owner can observe activity on their monitor, call for help, and have cops on the scene before an intruder realizes what’s going on. 

Closed Circuit Television is a method of home security utilizing a camera or system of cameras to monitor activity around a perimeter of a property. Depending on the degree of protection desired, Closed Circuit Television systems can communicate with other property protection such as alarms. Many alarm systems are designed to trigger the camera to begin recording and continue recording until the alarm is disarmed.

Earlier Closed Circuit Television models were relatively expensive and purchased primarily by government agencies and corporations. But, as a result of new technology, these systems have become more affordable for homeowner and small business owners.

Technological developments of Closed Circuit Television systems have made it possible for small business owners and homeowners to monitor their property, possessions, and employees remotely, and in real-time, from another location. The homeowner can access the server controlling their home camera system, for example, and monitor all activity in their home from their office. 

Other advances in Closed Circuit Television technology are infrared night vision and Passive Infrared motion detection capabilities. Another development is Pan Tilt Zoom camera systems, which are capable of rotating both horizontally and vertically, and can zoom in on a specific area on a property. Current models can even connect to the USB port of personal computers, allowing the homeowner to produce and save digital images of property activity.  

Closed Circuit Television systems can also record activity. This is helpful visual evidence for law enforcement and juries. In one instance, law enforcement was able to quickly apprehend a kidnapper and convict him because a store Closed Circuit Television system had recorded the kidnap. Moreover, Closed Circuit Television systems do deter people from stealing. Seeing cameras on a property will make a thief think twice about breaking into a building. 

Studies have shown that after 24 months of using a Closed Circuit Television crime rates have reduced by twenty-one percent when compared to twenty-four months earlier to the introduction of the Closed Circuit Television systems. Though the use of Closed Circuit Television systems has reduced crime rates in the location where they have been used, it has been criticized for causing a potential displacement effect. In other words, the crimes that could have taken place have just moved to another location or are committed at a different time.