Police officers often use surveillance footage to solve crimes and catch perpetrators.
Thanks to today's advanced technology, law enforcement can use surveillance cameras to record nearly all criminal activity. Cameras come in a variety of styles and formats. Some jurisdictions place obvious surveillance cameras on street corners to pick up traffic violations and criminal activity. Other times, officers wear cameras in the form of buttons, pins or even ballpoint pens that can detect and record criminal activity. Surveillance cameras are advantageous because footage can be replayed at a trial to give the jury a first-hand account of the crime in question.
Surveillance Cameras Offer Detailed Evidence
One of the greatest advantages of surveillance cameras is that the footage can be played over and over again until an important clue is uncovered. Many times, important pieces of evidence are missed in the first run-through of surveillance footage. With video evidence, police are able to rewind, pause and fast forward through the evidence. Also, today's technology allows surveillance technicians to enlarge and enhance frames of surveillance footage to get a clear image of suspects or suspicious items in the picture. Also, advanced surveillance technology only records footage after motion is detected in the area which makes it easier for police to comb through the hours of footage.
Surveillance Cameras as a Deterrent
Many cities opt to install apparent surveillance cameras at street corners and busy intersections. These cameras are in operation 24 hours a day and most people are aware of their presence. It is the hope of many law enforcement agencies that citizens will think twice before running a red light or committing other crimes in the presence of a surveillance camera. Supporters are counting on surveillance cameras to bring down crime rates in cities.
Combat Zones That See
The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency has begun working on spellbinding technology that would allow surveillance cameras to sync with each other and "recognize" suspicious activity. The project, known as Combat Zones That See, is able to zone in on an individual's face or vehicle, recognize its characteristics and follow it on its travels. Movements and activity will be reported to a centralized monitoring system which will alert the government of highly suspicious activity. The program is designed for use with the U.S. military to combat terrorism but could soon become a reality in American civilian life as well.
Aerial Surveillance
Aerial surveillance is video or imaging surveillance performed by an unmanned flying apparatus for the benefit of law enforcement or the military. The most advanced aerial surveillance machines can detect items the size of a milk carton from 60,000 feet in the air. While law enforcement is still under the requirement to obtain a search warrant to survey one's dwelling from the air, the technology is astonishing and can assist police in SWAT operations and has even been helpful in spotting fields of illegal marijuana plant farming.
Surveillance Comes in Many Forms
Police are not limited to mounted surveillance cameras if they wish to record an event. Surveillance can be performed through the use of covert and conspicuous equipment designed to appear like an every day household appliance. Cameras are often placed inside decorative items within the home in order to record criminal activity. Also, officers may use pens or lapel pins containing video surveillance equipment. These items appear very realistic and is it difficult for a wrongdoer to realize the item is actually a camera.
Tags: surveillance cameras, criminal activity, surveillance footage, cameras street, cameras street corners, Combat Zones