CCT surveillance

     It is not uncommon to see Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTV) in the lifts and along the corridor these days. In many cases, these hidden cameras have helped solved crime and deter others from doing it. CCTVs installed in lifts also helped in catching people urinating in the lifts and vandalism. The cases of loan shark harassment has also taken a dip recently.

     However, the privacy of residents remain in question. Many have misused CCTVs for inappropriate acts such as spying and invading one's privacy. It is also part of human nature to dislike being watched every time.

     If you did go through The Sunday Times yesterday, there was an article on residents using fake CCTVs to deter crime. This has also helped to reduce the number of crimes committed. Reasons being that fake CCTVs are cheaper and they look just like the real one. However, experts say that both the real and the fake could be separated easily through a trained eye and a close inspection.

     I believe that CCTVs should be installed at places at crime hotspots, but there should be a study of the area before deciding where to install them lest they invade our privacy.