NCJ Number
205206
Date Published
November 2003
Length
6 pages
Annotation
After providing an overview of research findings on the use of closed-circuit television (CCTV) in open-street settings, this paper presents information on the deployment of open-street CCTV in Australia and discusses considerations that should be taken into account in the CCTV policy process.
Abstract
The results of research on the impacts of CCTV in increasing security in open-street settings have to date been ambiguous. As is the case with most situational crime prevention measures, whether crime is prevented by CCTV coverage or is merely displaced to other locations remains contested. Although open-street CCTV systems in Australia were initially located in the central business districts of capital cities, there is a notable trend toward public-space surveillance in smaller regional and rural centers and in suburban locations. Because the impetus to establish CCTV in Australia has come from local governments, town center systems have wide variation in administrative controls, funding models, operational practice, and technology. The most common reason for installing CCTV in town centers has been to combat loosely defined "antisocial behavior," although systems have also been installed to address more defined issues such as violence around licensed venues and street-level drug dealing. Also discussed in this paper are policymakers' review of relevant research prior to the installation of open-street CCTV; community consultation; funding; operators and monitoring; communications and relationships with police; and management, accountability, and public awareness. This paper concludes that open-street CCTV systems in Australia have expanded dramatically in recent years, and there is little reason to expect that this trend will be reversed. With systems already established in all Australian capital cities except Darwin, future expansion is likely to be in regional centers and suburban locations. Digital technology is also likely to become the industry standard. This paper advises that as CCTV systems continue to expand, there should be a more thorough investigation of the desirability of statutory regulation. Also, more research is needed on the ways in which public-space CCTV is used and its impact on crime, perceptions of safety, and civil liberties. Research-based policy development is required to ensure that CCTV is used in ways that respect the need for public space to be open and inclusive, as well as safe and secure. 4 tables and 35 references