Law Assignment - Reducation of crime rate in towns.

Law Assignment - Reducation of crime rate in towns.

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Crime is a major problem in most towns and cities in the country. However, this is not a new phenomenon because crime related activities have been experienced since time immemorial. In the last five years, crime rate in towns and cities has been on the increase hence raising a concern from the public and the international community. The government and law enforcing agencies have been pressured to provide maximum security to the citizens. New laws and policies have been formulated and enacted under an act of parliament to improve the level of security in towns and cities. The government has introduced new police reforms to ensure that maximum security is provided in all towns in the country.

According to a recent police report, more than two hundred criminal cases are reported daily in capital cities and towns. More than 80% of the reported cases involve theft, robbery, burglary and murder. The report further affirmed that other cases involving sexual crimes and theft with violence are unreported; an idea that prevent such information from being recorded in the official national statistics. Studies indicate that a greater percentage of criminal activities are committed by youths who are aged between 18 to 35 years thus raising the question: why the youths? Literature and previous studies provide significant information as to why the youths engage in criminal activities especially in urban areas. These factors range from social, political to economic, but the high rate of unemployment among the youth has remained one of major contributors to crime activities (Burkhead, 56). Most youths in the country are educated and have high academic credentials but, they cannot secure a decent job in the market. Lack of employment compels the youths to indulge in criminal activities such as murder, robbery and trafficking of drugs so that to earn a living. In order to curb the issue of crime in towns, the government working in collaboration with the local administration should formulate new policies that will deter crime in the country. Various strategies have been employed in combating crime in towns, but not much has been achieved. However, installation of Closed Circuit Television Surveillance Cameras (CCTV) in all towns and cities will help in reducing crime immensely.

Installation of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) Surveillance System Policy

Advancement in science and technology in the modern world has not only transformed peoples’ way of life but, also improved security. The use of closed circuit television (CCTV) security system is a common phenomenon in the 21^st century. Surveillance cameras are commonly found in most shopping centres, urban centres, banks, hospitals, learning institutions, streets and public gathering places especially in developed countries. The first CCTV surveillance system was installed in 1985, in Bournemouth Town, in United Kingdom (Goold, 80). Since then, more than 40,000 CCTV cameras have been installed in most towns and cities in the country thus enhancing security. Other nations across the globe have also installed CCTV surveillance cameras to curb the issue of insecurity in their main towns. The main reason behind the high proliferation on CCTV is grounded on the fact that the system has the ability to deter crime before it can be committed.

CCTV surveillance system comprise of cameras and video recorders. The cameras are strategically positioned in a building or on the street to help record all the activities taking place. The video recorders help in capturing and recording criminal activities committed by the offender.  With advancement in technology, modern cameras have unique features that enable the viewer to tilt and zoom for better visualization.  This enables law enforcing agencies to identity the real perpetrators of the crime and place charges against the offender. Initially, many people were wrongly convicted for committing criminal offences in the court of law; an idea that affected peoples’ confidence towards the judicial system. However, with the installation of CCTV surveillance cameras, such cases will never occur again. This is because information captured and recorded in the surveillance system is accurate and provides police with vital information to conduct investigation related to the crime. CCTV surveillance cameras should be interlinked with a central computerised system where all the information recorded can be analysed.

Installation of CCTV surveillance cameras will help to improve security of the town immensely. CCTV surveillance system has been used in other towns, and it has worked effectively. For instance, in 2000, the government of Newzealand decided to install CCTV cameras in all of the main towns and cities with the aim of preventing and deterring crime. After installing the CCTV surveillance cameras, the level of crime rate has reduced by 75% hence fostering economic development (Larsen, 45). In the same respect, installation of CCTV cameras will go a long way in improving security in the town.

However, effective operation of CCTV system squarely depends on how well it is designed and planned. Studies affirm that certain factors should be taken into account when installing CCTV surveillance system in the town. First, the law enforcing agency will be required to carry out an analysis to establish areas highly associated with criminal activities. Secondly, positioning of the cameras should be looked into carefully. In this case, cameras should be placed in strategic places where they cannot be damaged, vandalised or stolen. Additionally, CCTV cameras should be free from public viewing for maximum efficiency to be attained. Thirdly, lighting effect should be considered during the installation process. Cameras should be installed in locations with adequate light to ensure that images captured are not blurred. Clear images help police to identity real criminals who committed the crime and place charges against the offender. In previous years, innocent people have been convicted wrongly in court for criminal felonies they never committed. This has affected the level of confidence and trust the public had towards the judicial system. However, with the installation of CCTV cameras such incidences will not occur again since criminals will be identified accurately.

CCTV surveillance system in reducing crime

Installation of CCTV surveillance system will help in reducing and deterring criminal activities in the town to a greater extent. The cameras are equipped with cameras and recorders that record all information before, during and after the crime was committed (Kruegle, 78). The captured information can reviewed and replayed to assistance police to conduct investigations. It will also help the police identify offenders who committed the crime before charges can be laid against the criminals. CCTV surveillance cameras have ability, to identify criminals planning to commit an offence in a given area. In such cases, the camera will send a signal to the operator who will inform the police the scene of the crime and the perpetrator. This will enable the police to rush to the scene of crime of the crime before more damage can be done.

CCTV surveillance system will help to reduce crime through situational prevention strategy. This presumed strategy operates on the rational theory that criminals commit offences when they are sure they will not be apprehended (Stephanie, 100). However, when criminals are aware that their move is being watched through the CCTV cameras, they refrain from committing crimes thus preventing crime in the town.

Cost implication of CCTV surveillance system

Installation of CCTV surveillance system will require both financial and human capital to be effective. The town administration will be required to provide money to purchase the cameras, video recorders, computers and other accessories required in the installation process. On the other hand, qualified human resource will be hired to install surveillance cameras in all the areas as well as, offer maintenance services. In order to ensure the system remains operational, the town council will be required to hire operators who will monitor and control the entire system. The operators will work closely with the police department to ensure security is guaranteed in the town.

Benefits of CCTV system

The use of CCTV surveillance system is costs effective in reducing crime compared to the use of police. CCTV cameras operate day and night and no single time they are turned off. This ensures that security is provided at all time thus restoring confidence and trust of the public. The fact that CCTV cameras covers a wider area  will help the town council in reducing the number of police officers employed to provide security in the town hence lowering the operation cost. Adequate security will enable citizens to move freely; an idea that will attract local and foreign investments thus improving economic development in the country.

Ways to enhance public awareness

Studies indicate that installation of CCTV cameras affects peoples’ privacy thus leading to conflict. In order for the town Mayor to address such challenges, there is a need to organize public campaigns in the town. Through the educational campaigns people will be educated on how CCTV surveillance system operates and to what extent it will improve security in the town. In these forums, members of the public will be given a chance to air their questions, complaints, ideas and opinions regarding the new programme. The town Mayor can also use the media and other communication channels to encourage the public to support the new project in order for it to be successive. It is important for the town administration to involve the public during decision making process because it makes the people own the change.           

Works cited

Burkhead, W. The search for the causes of crime: a history of theory in criminology. Jefferson, N.C.: McFarland & Corporations, 2006. Print.

Goold, B. J. CCTV and policing: public area surveillance and police practices in Britain. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004. Print.

Larsen, Beatrice. Setting the watch: privacy and the ethics of CCTV surveillance. Oxford: Hart Publisher, 2011. Print.

 Stephanie Hayman. Policing, surveillance and social control: CCTV and police monitoring of suspects. Willan Publisher, 2002. Print.

Kruegle, Howard. CCTV surveillance: Video practices and technology. New York: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2002.