When we think of CCTV, most people think of a system that is solely used as a way to fight crime, either by catching the criminals in the act or, more commonly, providing footage recorded to a security DVR that leads to the successful arrest of the perpetrator. What people don’t seem to realize though is the amount of other purposes that CCTV can serve, all of which benefit the community and enhance the safety of the people in the area.

Perhaps the biggest advantage of a CCTV system that is monitored constantly is that it provides safety for people, and not just from criminals. As a former CCTV operator myself, I was involved in countless incidents whereby I saw an unwell or injured person on camera and arranged for medical assistance for them. This meant that they were able to receive treatment far more quickly than if they had just waited for a passer-by to find them and it perhaps even saved a few lives in the process. The CCTV also helps to protect people who are ill, either from harm due to others or from harming themselves. This is especially true when it comes to people suffering from mental health illnesses – a problem that seems to be getting more and more common by the day.

Another problem that I regularly encountered while sat in front of the CCTV monitor was lost children which, as every parent knows, is the worst thing that can happen on a day out. In a crowded shopping area it can be virtually impossible for a parent to locate their children and even if the police are called, they still don’t have enough pairs of eyes to look everywhere. CCTV provides the solution though, as the cameras can look all over the area and usually locate the child safely. This means that the child spends less time on their own – meaning that they are in danger for a shorter amount of time – and that the worry felt by the parents is also shortened. The police’s resources are also freed up to deal with other issues.

Another massive use for CCTV is in the protection of the public from terrorism – something that has become a very real threat since the events of 2001 in New York. Before this happened then nothing would have been thought of a bag left by the side of the road or a car parked in a strange place, but now CCTV operators are trained to spot these things and report them to the relevant agency. This is an area that I took very seriously and so did my colleagues, as I made sure that all suspicious packages were reported to the police as a matter of urgency.

As can be seen, CCTV does not just work with the police to fight crime. In fact, it works with all of the emergency services, as well as the general public, to ensure that areas covered are safe and suitable places for people to go about their daily lives in.

Matt Stevens is a pioneer in the surveillance, CCTV, and security industry. He has helped manufacturers engineer numerous cutting edge bnc connector and CCTV DVR products. He shares his vast experience to ensure the public uses the right surveillance products for security!

Matt Stevens is a pioneer in the surveillance, CCTV, and security industry. He has helped manufacturers engineer numerous cutting edge http://www.cablingplus.com/t/surveillance/video-surveillance-products/bnc-connectors bnc connector and http://www.cablingplus.com/t/surveillance/video-surveillance-products/video-recorders-cctv-dvrs CCTV DVR products. He shares his vast experience to ensure the public uses the right surveillance products for security!

Author Bio: Matt Stevens is a pioneer in the surveillance, CCTV, and security industry. He has helped manufacturers engineer numerous cutting edge bnc connector and CCTV DVR products. He shares his vast experience to ensure the public uses the right surveillance products for security!

Category: Computers and Technology
Keywords: security cameras,dome cameras,cctv systems,security cameras,home security,surveillance system