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Holiday shoppers may be too busy to notice, but they're being watched by security cameras. To some, these cameras provide a level of comfort or security. To others, they are an invasion of privacy. Whether people are actually safer or not, 九色视频 criminologist Paul Cromwell says security cameras aren't a major deterrent.

Cromwell: "Recent research shows that the deterrent effect or the prevention effect of closed circuit television is not as great as it once was thought to be. Apparently there is a small positive effect from a deterrence and prevention standpoint, but not the great effect that once was thought."

Few statistics back up the helpfulness or effectiveness of surveillance cameras, yet cities, businesses and schools across the country are installing the devices by the thousands.

Cromwell: "There's been a tremendous growth in the use and extent of closed circuit television. Originally, 10, 15 years ago, it was primarily in banks and in convenience stores and such kinds of businesses as that. Over time, because they have at least the appearance of being very effective, they've been moved to schools and other locations, other retail businesses and so forth."

And Cromwell says the use of security cameras is expanding to outdoor locations.

Cromwell: "More recently we are beginning to see a lot more outdoor sights, traffic control for example, street corners, sidewalks, parks, locations where the general public is apt to be at risk."

So what is the main purpose of security cameras? Cromwell explains.

Cromwell: "There appears to be two main purposes of closed circuit television. One is the prevention or deterrence, and the other is enforcement or apprehension of criminals."

From a law enforcement perspective, Cromwell says security cameras have proven to be somewhat successful.

Cromwell: "From an enforcement or apprehension point of view, closed circuit television does appear to have a greater role and a greater effectiveness. Once the offense has occurred, the modern closed circuit television with better ability to identify has been fairly effective across a variety of crimes."

Of course, some people are concerned that security cameras are an invasion of privacy.

Cromwell: "Probably the greatest issue with regard to closed circuit television and the growth of it has been the privacy issue. The courts have held that there's no right to privacy in a public place, although there are a number of individuals and groups that are campaigning against closed circuit television in public places, primarily due to a fear of invasion of a greater level of privacy, such as looking through the bedroom windows or restrooms or fitting rooms in stores and so forth."

Cromwell explains why the concern about the cost of monitoring security cameras is overrated.

Cromwell: "There's been some concern about the cost of monitoring closed circuit television and, for the most part, most closed circuit TVs are not monitored. The information is simply stored on a hard disk of a computer, and after a crime has been committed then law enforcement can go back and review the tape for that particular period of time. So, that cost of monitoring is really a lot less than it might be thought."

Surveillance cameras may be gaining in popularity, even if their effectiveness is in question. Several regional studies have yielded discouraging results, such as a University of California Berkeley report that showed San Francisco's 68 surveillance cameras have apparently not deterred criminals from committing assaults, sex offenses or robberies.

The effectiveness of security cameras will continue to be debated, but there's little debate that they won't be going away anytime soon.

Thanks for listening. Until next time, this is Joe Kleinsasser for 九色视频.