Preventing crime at the risk of our privacy
Surveillance is an important part of security, as it is used as a means of crime prevention and community safety. Video surveillance and security systems, such as Closed Circuit TV (CCTV), are created with the intention of being a practical, yet easy way for organisations, such government officials and law enforcement, to provide a sense of security for our community. In essence to create a safety network. However, does video surveillance really makes us safer? Or is it just a breach in privacy for members of our community?
Personally, I can see the potential in surveillance as a means of safety, however, privacy is also something of value to me.
As a Criminology student, crime prevention is important to me as it is a mechanism for ensuring the community is measurably ‘safe’ from the harm of potential crimes. And so surveillance is used as a form of crime deterrence. Of course, the use of video surveillance raises many issues. Particularly, the issue of privacy. It questions the ideal of living ‘freely’ in a ‘free world’, as well as the extent to which our lives are kept ‘private’. Video surveillance systems, such as CCTV, have proven to assist in bringing justice to those who have been victims to crimes, as shown through the infamous case of Richard Whelan, whose murderer was found through facial recognition on CCTV. Despite surveillance being used as evidence with a potential to serve justice, it is predominantly used after a crime occurs. Does CCTV prevent crimes from happening all together, or does it just stop criminal activity in a particular area?
CCTV has reduced criminal activity in particular hotspots, such as carparks, parks and train stations. But that’s not to say that this activity hasn’t moved on to other locations, or that it has stopped crimes from occuring entirely. It is important to note that there is lack of research into the reality of this crime prevention strategy, and the potential effect it has on privacy.
In general, there are already so many concerns around surveillance and privacy. One of which, is the ideal of totalitarianism, in regards to mass surveillance. Every day people, like me and you, are being ‘watched’, whether we know it or not. Surveillance criminalises all of society’s members, in the sense that we are ALL being ‘watched’, but not always for the potential of a crime occurring. Surveillance is conducted through other outlets such as, police face recognition technology and number plate scanners. In an instant, as we drive past a police car our personal details as well as any previous run ins with the law are brought up, and used to the discretion of the police officer.
Surveillance raises concerns surrounding ethics and societal costs, in terms of storage and accessibility. Not only that, are we risking our privacy in the hopes of catching criminals? Or is there a hidden agenda for the information found through surveillance footage?
Comment what you think below, I would love to hear your thoughts!