VIDEO SURVEILLANCE IN PUBLIC SPACES (PART 1)

CCTV in SUK Perak

One of the ICT's benefits to the consumers or to the citizens is the usage of the Video Surveillance, or what people always mentioned as CCTV. This article was taken from the Malaysian Communication and Multimedia Commission (SKMM) report's.

Crime incidents that have taken place around the world have changed government's orientation and spending towards security measures and solutions in the country. By 2012, the worldwide video surveillance industry market revenue is expected to grow to USD12.72 billion, with Asia Pacific accounting for almost a third of the market at USD3.59 billion.

CCTV for deterrence

In Malaysia, the Cabinet Paper of The Implementation of Program Bandar Selamat (Safe City Program)  was submitted to the Cabinets of Malaysia in July 14, 2004 which consist of three (3) strategies and 23 prevention method. One of them is the usage of CCTV especially in the 'hot area' of crime rate.

In a video surveillance system, a Closed Circuit Television or widely known as CCTV is the most commonly used equipment in recording surveillance activities together with Digital Video Recorders (DVRs). But lately, the market trend start using the:

1. CCTV cameras and digital products are gradually converting to Internet Protocol (IP) cameras and networked;
2. Cameras are using Network Video Recordings (NVRs) as opposed to full DVRs and going IP based;
3. Smart and intelligent applications usch as Video Contents Analytic Software are being used; and
4. Storage technology has improved in term of capacity and scalability through the development of Storage Area Networks (SANs)

There are several anticipated results from using Video Surveillance Cameras which are:

1. Deterrence where installing surveillance cameras can discourage potential offenders
2. Create efficiency in security deployment such as police department and the others authorities whereby they can gauge if police assistance is required thus avoiding false alarms incurring unnecessary police resources
3. Develop self disciplining towards offenders and victims where potential victims are reminded of the risk of crime whereas offenders are disciplined through fear of being watched
4. Detection where video recordings of crimes and offenses can be used to punish, remove offenders or used as evidence in court.

In PART 2, I shall explained the several types of cameras used in surveillance today.

Thanks you.