subject: The Advantages Of Using A Cctv [print this page] Closed circuit television systems or CCTVs can be found in many homes, offices, shops, and businesses these days. The system basically involves the use of video cameras which transmit the captured pictures to a set of monitors. It is even used on school and college campuses to monitor and catch any untoward activities of the students. Let us have a look at some of the reasons why people might want to use a CCTV.
Catching Criminals
Probably the most important reason why people want to install a CCTV system is to catch criminals. For example, the major problem that huge retail shops face is shoplifting. It is often very difficult to monitor the activity of every shopper in such shops, making stealing things quite an easy task for these criminals.
With a CCTV camera, such activities can easily be monitored while sitting in an enclosed room that provides a view from all the cameras installed throughout the shop. A shoplifter can easily be caught and apprehended before making away with the stolen goods this way. Furthermore, when shoppers know that cameras are watching their each and every move, they are less likely to indulge in taking away things without paying for them.
Employee training and management
In some businesses, managers may want to monitor how their trainees are handling customers. Customer service executives who are new at their jobs may require guidance in how to handle the queries of their customers who visit their offices. This is especially required while handling a frustrated or angry customer.
Training managers can guide their employees, on the basis of the video recordings done through a CCTV kit, how to better handle such customers.
It may also prevent employees from avoiding work or even stealing important company documents that may be used later on to tarnish the image of the organisation. Similarly, an argument can be sorted appropriately by the manager by watching a video recording of what actually transpired between two employees or a customer and employee.
Preventing violence
In some cases, such as in school settings, these video cameras may help in deterring students from bringing weapons to the school. If students are aware that cameras are watching them, they are less likely to bring guns with them. If they do bring a weapon and if they do use it, CCTVs can also help in catching the perpetrator of the crime.
It also acts as a proof of the crime which can help later in making criminal proceedings easier and free of hassle.
Are there any disadvantages of CCTVs?
Some people say that CCTVs are not really all that effective in providing protection and deterring crime. It is true that these surveillance systems do not display every corner of the business or home setting these are installed in and criminals can make use of the areas that are not covered by the cameras. Cameras can also be covered up to avoid recording of the proceedings. This way a criminal can get away with doing what they want and yet their activities may not be monitored and they may not be booked for the crime.
However, such cases usually occur in a setting where previous planning was involved. A cctv kit can only be rendered useless when the individual knows exactly how the system is installed and how it can be thwarted. In other cases, this security equipment can actually prove to be quite useful in stopping small-time criminals in indulging in small acts such as shoplifting or in stopping young students from using drugs or showing off their weapons to their friends. Simply said, it would take a mastermind to carefully plan a crime to get away from the watchful eyes of a CCTV camera. Most give up just due to the physical presence of the security system.
Being able to keep an eye on the activities inside a business, school, or even a home setting is one of the reasons why cctv is getting quite popular these days. There are different kinds of systems available depending on the type of setting and the type of monitoring that is required. Companies can easily discuss their security requirements with a CCTV provider and get the right type of security system installed in their home or office setting.
