The Benefits of Security Cameras in Parks and Public Spaces -A Lecture Series on Crime Prevention and Detection:

In recent years, security cameras have proliferated in urban parks. After all, a city park is meant to be a tranquil setting. You can take your dog for a stroll there, take the kids there to play, or just relax there. However, maintaining them secure can be difficult for towns, particularly those with little resources.

Security cameras in public places give the city significant advantages in addition to reducing its reliance on security guards. They can first aid in lowering crime and vandalism. If they are seen on video, they can also help the police catch crooks.

Of course, every town deploying open surveillance cameras should adhere to a few recommended practices to preserve the tools and maintain the privacy of its residents. First off, check to see that none of your cameras are pointed at any private spaces, such as residences, places of business or offices, or any other property whose owner does not want it to be filmed. Second, position your cameras in optimal locations for recording, such as busy streets and public spaces. Third, keep in mind the camera's security. Outdoor cameras are vulnerable to the weather as well as vandalism. If at all feasible, keep your cameras inside weatherproof casing to keep them secure from the elements, and hide them to prevent vandalism.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) has mandated the use of Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in all public premises within the FCT to enhance security. The coordinator of Abuja Metropolitan Management Council (AMMC), vowed that, henceforth, mandatory use of CCTV would be included in the requirements for building approval in the territory.

He also revealed that officers of the council would be going around the city to enforce compliance with the decision, expressing optimism that the use of CCTV would help the security agencies tremendously in fighting crime and criminality in the territory.

Benefits of surveillance cameras in parks / public places:

• We should have surveillance cameras in public places because they ensure public safety. Rarely will anyone attempt to harm you when they know their actions are being recorded on camera. Cameras keep you and your personal property safe.

• The police can identify criminals recorded with cameras. Through surveillance cameras, the police can both prevent crimes from happening and can quickly solve criminal cases with material evidence.

• If no one is aware of the crime until after it has been committed, the surveillance footage is always a crucial piece of evidence during a police investigation. Surveillance cameras have, and will provide a solution to many crimes. 

• Having cameras in public places make people feel safe. If people know that there are cameras around them, they will most likely not do anything stupid. People feel safer in the knowledge that a potential mugger or attacker will be put-off by the presence of a camera.

• The growth of facial recognition and analytical software enables much greater predictive insights into criminal behaviour and more accurate reporting.