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Cities
and Towns
As cities and
towns expand, security in common areas like parks and downtowns becomes more
and more important. A constant stream of consumers and visitors are vital for
the success of restaurants and local businesses, and video surveillance is a
great security tool to keep consumers safe and towns thriving. Already in widespread
use in Britain, more and more cities and local governments in the US and Canada
are beginning to install surveillance cameras in public areas.
Benefits of Municipal
Surveillance
- Increased
business – Cameras posted in high-traffic and risky areas can help
reduce street crime and encourage more consumer traffic to stores and restaurants,
increasing business and local revenue.
- Reduction
in crime – Security cameras in public places can help reduce crime
and vandalism, and assist law enforcement in apprehending criminals whose
malfeasance is caught on camera.
- Improvement
of public areas – By bringing in additional business and encouraging
use of public spaces, public surveillance cameras can help make parks, public
squares and city sidewalks better and more hospitable for everyone.
- Increased
cooperation between businesses and government – One unexpected benefit
of surveillance cameras in public places is improved relationships between
businesses and local governments. An example of this is Morgantown, West Virginia.
There, the city government has begun to offer incentives to businesses who
install surveillance cameras. Agreements like this one may foster better relationships
between businesses and governments while boosting security.
Risks of Downtown
Security Cameras
- Privacy
– Make sure that your public surveillance cameras do not point into
any private areas – like apartments, businesses or offices, or other areas
where the owners wish not to be recorded.
- Damage
– Outdoor cameras can be damaged by a number of factors – including
weather, car accidents and vandalism. Store your cameras in environment-controlled
housings that can protect them from rain and extremes of heat and cold.
Questions to
Consider When Choosing a Civic Surveillance System
Every town is
different, and no two areas will have the exact same security needs. Consider
the following when choosing and installing your security system to ensure the
right fit:
- Are there areas
of your town or city that you think would benefit from public surveillance
cameras?
- Have you had
any issues with public gatherings in the past year? If so, where?
- Where do you
think surveillance cameras would be most beneficial?
Best Practices
for Surveillance Cameras in Urban Areas
- Place cameras
in areas advantageous to recording, but also be aware of the camera's safety.
- Consider an
incentive plan for businesses to install complementary security cameras.
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