Use of Security Cameras More Prevalent in Small Towns

We all know that a lot of businesses use security cameras to protect their store, products etc... and you generally would assume that security camera systems are more prominent in big cities. Big cities are home to a lot more people, have more expensive stores, more stores in general and a wealthier customer base. However, if you assume that bigger cities have more security cameras you'd be wrong because, as it turns out, video surveillance is used more in small towns than big cities.

One such area is Saginaw, Michigan. Saginaw has a population of only 55,238 residents and installed 17 security cameras at a water park/skate park and plans on adding more by June in other parts of the city according to Mayor Greg Branch. "Crime for us is trending downward, but we still have a lot more crime than we want," he says. Adding more security cameras is also a lot cheaper than hiring more police officers. "Every city is facing budget pressures," he added. "We can't put more police on the street." A federal grant in the sum of $300,000 will pay for the new cameras.

Big cities like Chicago, New York and Washington have cameras installed in high crime areas, and a lot of businesses have them installed inside and outside their buildings. A security camera in Tucson caught footage of the shooting which killed six individuals and severely wounded Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. Dan Kobil, a constitutional law professor at Columbus, Ohio's Capital University Law School, says that the courts have ruled that people have no expectation of privacy in public settings. Kobil added that as technology becomes more precise and allows for the quality of images to improve, courts will likely revisit the issue. Kobil stated, "Although cameras are an important tool for law enforcement, I'm disturbed by it... as someone who values my privacy.

Other small towns that are hopping on the camera train include:

Lafayette, Indiana, with a population of 65,704, has around 15 cameras and is considering adding at least 30 more. According to Police Chief Don Roush, the cameras helped solve a 2008 homicide.

Williamsport, Pennsylvania has a population of 29,304 and is seeking bids for a security camera system. Gabriel Campana, Mayor of Williamsport, says that he wants them in the residential areas "where we've had challenges. My No. 1 concern is public safety.

Salisbury, Maryland, with a population of 28,327, has police which are advising downtown property owners who want cameras to get them. There is a lot of support in the area and cameras could be in place as early as this summer.

Vineland, New Jersey has a population of 59,198 and also 23 video surveillance cameras as well as 7 cameras used to identify the license plates of vehicles involved in crimes. These cameras were bought with a state grant in the amount of $200,000. Mayor Robert Romano says, "People had the perception that downtown wasn't safe, and perception becomes reality if you don't keep it in check. This makes people feel safer."

I feel like we will be seeing a lot more small cities installing security camera systems as the price of cameras drops and installation becomes easier. Add that with the fact that almost any city can get cameras through government grants and the possibilities are limitless.

Source: USA Today - Video surveillance used more by small towns

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