NCJ Number
237323
Date Published
February 2008
Length
16 pages
Annotation
This study examined the effect closed circuit tv (CCTV) has on crime frequency using two different evaluation techniques.
Abstract
The evaluation suggests that while there appears to be a general benefit to the cameras, there were as many sites that showed no benefit from the presence of a camera as there were sites where the presence of a camera evidenced a noticeable impact on crime. Overall, the introduction of the cameras was associated with a 13 percent reduction in crime in the CCTV surveillance area around camera locations; however, the 13 percent reduction in overall crime can be attributed to very different behaviors at CCTV evaluation sites. The reduction was statistically significant, after controlling for general temporal trends at each camera site, seasonality, and the number of days in each month. This reduction was largely a decline in disorder offenses, as the frequency of serious crimes around each camera location was generally too low to detect a measurable impact. The introduction of CCTV was associated with considerably different impacts on crime at each site; at half of the sites, there was no reduction of crime in the target area. At four sites, there was a substantial reduction of serious crime with evidence of a diffusion of positive benefits to surrounding streets. At some sites, crime reduction was measured in the target area but there was apparent displacement to surrounding streets. Tables, map, and appendix