NCJ Number
211350
Date Published
February 2005
Length
176 pages
Annotation
This study analyzed the effectiveness of using closed circuit television (CCTV) cameras to conduct surveillance of public areas, with attention to the impact on reported crime, victimization rates, fear of crime, and other variables addressed in local surveys.
Abstract
The study evaluated 13 CCTV projects implemented in such public areas as town centers, city centers, parking lots, hospitals, and residential areas. Police statistics were used to measure changes in crime levels in the CCTV areas compared to control areas before and after the CCTV systems were installed. Public-attitude surveys were conducted in 12 areas to assess changes in public perceptions of CCTV in the intervention areas and comparable control areas before and after the installation of CCTV. Researchers identified other crime-reduction initiatives that operated within the intervention and control areas, so as to assess the extent to which these provided alternative explanations for crime-level changes. Information was obtained on the process by which the project designers decided to install CCTV. Of the 13 systems evaluated, 6 showed a relatively substantial reduction in crime in the target area compared with the control area, but only 2 showed a statistically significant reduction compared to the control area; and in 1 of these cases, the change could be explained by the presence of confounding variables. Crime increased in seven areas, but this was not attributed to CCTV. The findings in these seven areas were inconclusive, since a range of variables could account for the changes in crime levels, including fluctuations in crime rates due to seasonal, divisional, and national trends, as well as additional initiatives. Differences in CCTV impact due to the characteristics of the installation areas were also noted. Systems installed in a variety of contexts apparently had the greatest impact. Extensive tables and figures and 77 references