How Can Electronic Security Systems Help to Deter Crime?

Residential Areas

• Researchers at Rutgers University conducted a five-year study between 2001 and 2005, determining that a residential alarm system reduced the chances of being targeted by criminals, who find these homes less appealing. The presence of an alarm system significantly increases the risk of being detected and apprehended, compared with a residence that does not have an alarm. However, CrimeDoctor.com suggests that the deterrent value is only present if a security company's lawn sign or window decal is visible on the residential property, or if the burglar has some other way of knowing in advance that the home has an electronic security system.

Schools

• Regarding the use of closed-circuit TV (CCTV) electronic security measures in schools, the U.S. Department of Justice notes that cameras discourage misbehavior by both students and employees. In the past, most school discipline was based on hearsay or witness testimony, which could be refuted and often tied the hands of school officials. In addition, some parents would vehemently proclaim their child's innocence and protest any reprimand or punishment. However, capturing evidence in a video recording leaves no gray area or wiggle room for either student or employee offenders and silences skeptical parents. The finality and conclusiveness that video footage provides is a strong deterrent to inappropriate behavior on school grounds.

Public Video Surveillance

• Brian Kirk, writing in "Metropolis," noted that citywide cameras significantly reduce crime in some areas. In Philadelphia, the city's cameras had resulted in 214 arrests as of early 2010 and had been used to assist law enforcement 1,300 times since 2006. Chicago's cameras solved more than 6,000 crimes between 2006 and early 2010. Data from 2009 show that CCTV cameras resulted in 1,725 arrests in the city of Baltimore. Knowledge of such statistics on the effectiveness of cameras can deter would-be criminals.

Ambiguous Information

• When it is publicly announced that CCTV cameras will be installed in certain areas, there is a decrease of crime in those areas, but criminals may be merely moving to unmonitored areas. However, when specific locations are not announced but would-be criminals are made aware of the surveillance program in general, the Home Office Policing and Reducing Crime Unit reports that fear of the unknown serves as a deterrent.