Why Surveillance Systems Are Essential In Our Modern Society

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Right from the days of evolution, man has continued to evolve and improve in different aspects of life both positively and negatively. The world population is about 8 billion people today, and the monitoring and control of people and properties becomes sacrosanct. 

Surveillance has to do with monitoring of lives and property using human beings or technology to effect control, protection of lives and properties, crime prevention and detection, progress monitoring, event monitoring etc.  

Surveillance using human beings can be cost-effective but not efficient because a human being can get tired, stressed and miss out on important details. But surveillance using technology incorporates features like people counting, heat mapping, intrusion alarms, access control etc. making control and monitoring of lives and properties effective and efficient.

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A CCTV system is a very important aspect of a surveillance system. CCTV stands for closed circuit television. This means that the video is secure and not public like a broadcast television which could be watched via suitable equipment like a television and satellite dish. A CCTV system comprises a video capturing element (video camera), a transmission media ( cable or radio) recording device, display equipment, auxiliary systems like video encoders, internet modems etc.

Two types of technologies are used in CCTV systems deployed for different range of applications like security, crime prevention and detection, entertainment, sports, medical applications etc. 

These are;

1. Analog CCTV systems.

2. IP CCTV systems.

The choice of technology for deployment depends on the application, cost, skill, equipment availability, customer preference and a whole lot of other reasons.

The technology of surveillance systems has improved and developed so much over the last three decades, thanks to scientists and engineers. The surveillance system industry is worth over 70 billion dollars today due to its vast applications in different areas. For example, surveillance systems are installed in sports stadiums to capture sports events like football, which makes it possible to be watched by billions of people all over the world thereby generating revenue for football leagues like EPL, Bundesliga, La Liga etc. Surveillance systems are also used by the police departments for crime prevention, detection and solving. Surveillance systems have so many advantages whose relevance outshine deployment costs. Such advantages include;

1. Protection of lives and properties

2. Crime solving, prevention and detection

3. Education and entertainment ( wildlife, sports etc.)

4. Access control etc.

5. Health and research ( hospitals, research institutes )

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There are also opinions that surveillance systems also have certain disadvantages in terms of privacy breaching, but new features like privacy masking in new surveillance system equipment like CCTV cameras make such opinions debatable. 

Still, in the note of surveillance systems relevance, a shooting occurred beside Days Inn motel at 1595 W. Oakland Park Blvd where the active shooter faked a car crash to cover up his crime. 

In the course of the investigation, the Broward Sheriff's Office released video footage that proved that the active shooter tried to cover up his crime by faking a car crash.

A statement by BSO spokeswoman, Miranda Grossman revealed that after detectives arrived at Days Inn motel at 1595 W. Oakland Park Blvd. on June 1, 2022, around 1 p.m, they found a Silver Chevy Malibu that has slammed into a white shipping container in the motel's parking lot. They noticed that the driver of the vehicle sustained a gunshot wound instead of a car crash wound.

She also said that after the driver was taken to a local hospital for treatment, the detectives obtained the surveillance footage from the motel which revealed the following; “A man then exited the passenger’s side of the vehicle and entered through the driver’s side door; he is seen doing something inside the vehicle on the driver’s side,” “Moments later, he returned to the passenger’s side and the vehicle rolled forward and crashed into a shipping container".

After the vehicle crashed, the passenger fled from the vehicle holding a bag in his hand.” Grossman revealed this in a news release.

This also strengthens the fact that video surveillance is essential in crime detection, protection, and solving.

The importance of surveillance systems in our modern society can never be overemphasized. Private individuals can also have surveillance systems installed in their homes and should be carried out by a certified installer.

What are your thoughts?