Can surveillance cameras be successful in （监控摄像头可以成功）.pdf

AUSTRALIAN INSTITUTE OF CRIMINOLOGY CAN SURVEILLANCE CAMERAS BE SUCCESSFUL IN PREVENTING CRIME AND CONTROLLING ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOURS? Adrienne Isnard Townsville City Council Paper presented at The Character, Impact and Prevention of Crime in Regional Australia Conference convened by the Australian Institute of Criminology and held in Townsville 2-3 August 2001 Originally surveillance cameras systems were installed to deter burglary, assault and car theft but their use has been extended to include combating anti social behaviour, such as littering, urinating in public, traffic violations, obstruction, and drunkenness (Davies 1998). CCTV systems are being used increasingly to police public morals and public order. A British Home Office promotional booklet, CCTV: Looking Out For You (Home Office, 1994), actually states that the technology can be a solution to such problems as vandalism, drug use, drunkenness, racial harassment, sexual harassment, loitering and disorderly behaviour (Davis 1999). Indeed, when a CCTV system is installed there seems to be an expectation from the public that all crime and anti-social behaviours in that place will be stopped dead in their tracks and if anything happens to us when out and about in public that event will be captured on camera and all this more cheaply than any other crime prevention strategies. After all A surveillance camera can operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year without a toilet break, smoko, or lunch. It does not need a holiday, maternity leave and rarely goes sick” (French 1998). “But” we are cautioned “it doesn’t actually do anything. It is the operators that produce the results required (French 1998) However It is unfortunate that though billions of dollars are b