CCTV and Neighbourhood Watch | Why It Exists? & Importance

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When it comes to neighbourhood watch programs, the saying “strength in numbers” truly holds value!

Neighbourhood watch programs work with additional security measures like CCTV to not just deter crime but to also keep the entire neighbourhood at large safe for everyone. Since several people are involved in watch programs, the security of the entire community is significantly boosted.

The use of CCTVs can also profoundly add to the security of a neighbourhood. Numerous studies among homeowners and tenants have revealed the significance of the presence of CCTV in neighbourhoods.

It turns out that when neighbours and pedestrians knew they were being watched, vandalism and robberies would go down significantly.

But why does this happen, and why do neighbourhood watch programs contribute so much to security in a social setting?

The reason why surveillance decreases the chances of crime is known as the Hawthorne effect, where people tend to behave differently and are more likely to be compliant when they are being watched.

In the same manner, criminals are less likely to target neighbourhoods that have ample CCTV coverage as well as an active neighbourhood watch program.

Neighbourhood watch programs are as old as time, even before people understood it as a discrete concept. They have been a key social mechanism in maintaining the safety and security of human tribes since the dawn of civilisation – and this phenomenon continues to play an important role in the modern world as well.

WHY NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH PROGRAMS EXIST

Criminals thrive on neglect and indifference.

If residents remain indifferent to other members of the neighbourhood, crime is likely to rise even with the placement of security hardware since burglars can use this indifference to commit a crime, knowing that they won’t be under anyone’s watch once they breach a security system.

Statistics show that as many as 67% of domestic burglaries could be prevented if people had CCTV monitoring and neighbourhood watches in areas that are prone to burglaries.

What’s worse is that burglaries often have lasting impacts on victims as well as residents of the same neighbourhood.

According to research, victims of burglaries and surrounding residents reported that 26% found it hard to sleep, 14% moved to new premises often after repeat offences, 13% experienced a loss in confidence in the area, 12% were afraid of being left alone on the property especially after dark, 9% became ill and found it difficult to concentrate on work, and 6% were diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

These reasons are why it is paramount to implement CCTV and neighbourhood watches in crime-prone areas! Read on to learn more about how CCTV can mitigate and eliminate the risk of theft and how neighbourhood watches can have a compounding effect on security:

HOW DOES CCTV PREVENT BURGLARIES IN NEIGHBOURHOODS?

Burglars are always on the lookout for an opportunity. This opportunity can be in the form of a lack of security on-premises, or a lack of an effective neighbourhood watch.

A study that delved deep into the minds of burglars revealed that they would frequently target homes and neighbourhoods without CCTV cameras. In other words, burglars consider CCTV cameras as the first line of defence and gain significant confidence in carrying out crime when they notice a lack of basic security.

Here are some of the top ways CCTV cameras reduce crime in a neighbourhood:

Builds Perception

Perhaps the best way CCTV cameras deter crime is just by existing in a perimeter. As mentioned above, the mere existence of this basic level of security is enough to make criminals think twice before attempting a crime.

Whether it is petty crime, theft, vandalism, or other serious crimes, just the fact that an area has CCTV cameras is enough to significantly deter crime.

CCTV cameras have an unmistakable iconic look, and whenever people notice it, the Hawthorne effect that we discussed above kicks in which makes them behave better.

Recording and Monitoring

Recording and monitoring are powerful features of CCTV cameras because they allow a look into the past. These cameras can help identify past threats, confirm suspects, and help identify thieves.

Since CCTV cameras operate 24/7 and can save several days (or weeks) worth of footage, criminals often tend to stay away from monitored areas because they know that they can be identified easily.

For example, if a burglar is out on a reconnaissance mission, they will almost always avoid places that have CCTV cameras because criminals usually have to do multiple recces to determine if a home is a viable target.

If they arouse suspicion, then property owners may check previous footage to determine if an unrecognised person has previously been to the property which would prompt them to alert the authorities.

Gathering evidence

CCTV cameras are more than just recording devices. They encourage accountability! Since security footage is continuously being recorded, every action taken around a premise can be reviewed later to identify threats.

As explained above, CCTV cameras can gather evidence against an unrecognised person repeatedly visiting a property for unknown reasons. Of course, if you confront someone without proof, they will always deny it!

Law enforcement personnel will always demand proof of crime or wrongdoing before pursuing someone legally. This means that if you want to report a potential threat, then you best have the evidence to back up your claims.

Remote Monitoring

Remote monitoring is an excellent example of why CCTV cameras are so effective in deterring crime. Even if you are away from your property, modern CCTV cameras can also broadcast CCTV footage over the internet, effectively allowing you to view the footage from anywhere in the world using just an internet connection.

Some cameras may also take snapshots if they detect people or pets on your property, making it much easier for you to view a detailed report of the activity around your property over the day.

If you don’t want to manually review footage, then you can also opt for remote monitoring services. Remote monitoring has been on the rise for several years due to the convenience it provides to homeowners.

Instead of manually going through footage, a professional team can do the monitoring for you. This means that your premises will be monitored 24/7 remotely while you are away. So, if there is a threat, the team can notice it immediately and inform the relevant keyholders and the authorities.

THE IMPORTANCE OF NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH PROGRAMS

Neighbourhood Watch is an additional security measure that ensures that not just your property, but every property in a neighbourhood is looked after by the members of a social community.

Neighbourhood watches have been part of Western society for decades and have proven to be one of the best ways to deter crime. In fact, before the advent of CCTVs, these programs were the default choice for neighbourhoods to implement security.

It was only after the 1940s that CCTVs began to slowly take over age-old security techniques used by societies. Today, CCTVs have completely taken over security however, neighbourhood watches remain a useful way to implement an added layer of security for every house in a neighbourhood.

Here are some of the ways neighbourhood watches are useful:

Community Engagement

Watch programs not only encourage a safer environment for everyone but they also encourage a sense of community. These programs are important in bringing together a diverse range of people who unite for a common cause.

This intermingling of people is considered very healthy and promotes a friendly and safer environment where everyone treats the security of their neighbours as they would themselves. For example, if someone notices a breach late at night, even one person witnessing the crime can quickly alert the authorities.

Communication

Neighbourhood watch programs enable people to establish communication channels just for security. This means that key people from a neighbourhood will be delegated to represent a few houses on the street which will effectively enable clear communication, instead of the channel being bombarded by the opinions and reports of everyone at the same time.

This type of active communication on security concerns is incredibly important in maintaining a safe environment for everyone. Watch programs can also encourage weekly or monthly meet-ups at someone’s house, online forums, social media groups, messaging apps, and more.

Training

Some neighbourhoods go a step further by collectively installing CCTV cameras in a neighbourhood. In this case, funds are collected from every participating house and a security company is employed to install CCTV cameras to secure the neighbourhood.

In some cases, access to the CCTV system can also be given to a few people which will empower them to learn how to use CCTVs and detect threats in the neighbourhood. Training is an important part of any neighbourhood watch program!

Training will enable members of the neighbourhood to build intuition and learn how to detect potential threats and the correct protocols for reporting a crime in the most effective way possible.

Live Reporting

The benefit of neighbourhood watch programs is that they provide a level of “live” security. This means that if anyone notices anything suspicious, they can immediately take a picture from their phone and report it back to the key members of the watch program.

This way, every participant in the program will be in the know about potential threats and they can also take immediate action if they notice a significant or repeated threat in the community.

Live reporting can also help spread awareness to other members of the community who aren’t as active in the group. So, even if you don’t want to actively participate in the group, you can still always be updated on the recent security breaches or concerns of the neighbourhood.

Collaboration

Collaboration is perhaps the most beautiful aspect of neighbourhood watch programs because it allows people from all walks of life to be a part of something good for the benefit of the entire community.

Watch programs frequently encourage people to keep good relations with local law enforcement and community stakeholders so that if there is a concern, it can be immediately addressed in a friendly and effective manner.

Kids in a neighbourhood are also encouraged to be in the know about known security concerns. This way, they can always be in an “observe-and-report-only” mode and report back to the stakeholders if they notice something off.

Neighbourhood watch programs also encourage people to collaborate for community patrols as well. For example, a few people in a neighbourhood can make groups and decide on a patrol schedule for different groups. This way, neighbours can hang out and know more about each other as well as keep an eye out for security threats.

TYPES OF CCTV CAMERA SYSTEMS FOR NEIGHBORHOODS

When it comes to securing a neighbourhood, two types of CCTV camera systems can be beneficial for securing large areas: analogue and IP CCTV systems.

ANALOGUE SYSTEMS

Analogue CCTV systems are the traditional wired camera systems that have proven their efficiency over several decades! These camera systems are often the default choice for many homeowners due to their reliability, effectiveness, and ease of use.

Wired CCTV camera systems can be set up in different areas around the neighbourhood and the video signal can be projected to a central location (or several locations) so that stakeholders can monitor the security of an area.

Thanks to advancements in CCTV and camera technology, HD cameras are an excellent choice for long-distance monitoring. These cameras can capture crisp video without losing detail! This means that you would need just a few cameras to cover a large area since the cameras will be able to detect threats even from afar.

Calder Security offers analogue HD systems where you can get 4- or 5-megapixel cameras for better surveillance footage.

IP SYSTEMS

IP (Internet Protocol) cameras are part of the next generation of surveillance cameras. These cameras can be connected either traditionally or wirelessly, allowing them to be highly versatile.

Since IP cameras connect to the internet, they can broadcast the video signal online which effectively enables anyone with access to the cameras to view security footage from anywhere in the world.

IP cameras are more advanced than regular wired cameras and can provide even more security features. For example, many IP cameras have built-in video processing capabilities that can help capture more defined video footage.

This way, even in low lighting, the cameras can pick up threats and even help detect faces using advanced algorithms and artificial intelligence software.

The best part is that the advancement in network technology has also enabled these cameras to provide a lag-free video experience. In other words, you can view enhanced security footage in real-time just like a wired system!

Wireless cameras are indispensable for securing neighbourhoods since the footage can be accessed by multiple key stakeholders in the watch program, even if they aren’t at home. This can significantly improve security and allow people to report threats as soon as possible.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

Once you understand the importance of home security, the next step would be to contact a security company that you can trust and rely on to provide the best service suitable for your requirements.

Picking the right security company is crucial, especially one that has the right skill, knowledge, and experience to provide you with the best security solutions.

At Calder Security, we offer a comprehensive solution for CCTV cameras that are state-of-the-art and comply with CCTV laws and regulations.

We understand the special security and safety needs of various properties and offer professional installation services for CCTV systems bespoke to each property.

We are expert SSAIB-approved security system installers and supply only high-quality CCTV equipment from trusted brands such as Hikvision, one of the world’s leading CCTV manufacturers.

We conduct every aspect from surveys, design, specification, and installation ourselves, and our professional repair and maintenance services ensure that the CCTV systems work in optimal condition all year round, guaranteeing effectiveness and compliance with the law.

We also offer professional CCTV monitoring services that help detect criminal activity and security breaches as they are in progress for the appropriate action to be taken, even when the property is empty.

Photo by Gemma Evans on Unsplash

CCTV and Neighbourhood Watch: Enhancing Community Security