Has Chicago’s CCTV System Helped Lower Crime Rates?
It’s been 19 years since the Chicago Police Department (CPD) kicked off its pilot of Police Observation Devices (PODs). Today, there’s a network of 50,000+ surveillance cameras in use all over the city.
But Are They Working?
This simple question has no simple answer.
According to the Chicago Police Department, in some areas, narcotic related crimes dropped by 76%. However, a recent article in the Chicago Sun Times states that Chicago neighborhoods saw one of the most dangerous years ever in 2021.
These findings track with a 2006 finding by the U.S Department of Justice that video surveillance is only effective at preventing certain types of crime, such as deterring property crimes like theft and vandalism, but not violent crimes.
Additionally, a 2008 study conducted by the city of San Francisco and the University of California at Berkeley concluded that while crimes decreased within 250 meters of “open street” surveillance cameras, they increased beyond 250 meters. They found that CCTVs were effective in small, contained areas like parking garages, but weak deterrents in open spaces.
However, a New York Times Article from 2018 details that in some neighborhoods with higher crime rates, such as Englewood, they saw crime rates drop 52% compared to the year before. The article quotes Chicago’s police superintendent, Eddie T. Johnson, in saying, “The idea [behind CCTV] is to put the technology in the hands of the officer,” which they have done by adding surveillance centers to 13 of the 22 police stations around the city.
A recent study by the Rand Corporation concludes that CCTV can be an effective tool but should not be considered a total solution. The CPD’s POD system is most effective when used in conjunction with other tools such as predictive analytics and public outreach programs.
What Does This Data Mean?
While crime rates in Chicago have gotten better since the introduction of the city’s large CCTV surveillance system, Chicago still recorded more homicides than both New York and Los Angeles combined in 2016. The Chicago Police Department is continuously improving its CCTV network, but whether it’s residential or commercial, having a CCTV system installed with security monitoring services will provide even more peace of mind.
CCTV should be a tool in your home-security arsenal, but not your entire home security solution. The trained professionals at FSS Technologies can help you determine the best security system for your home and family, and ensure the system is installed correctly and serviced regularly.
Explore Our Other Blogs
What to Know About Smart Locks
Smart locks have been on the market for several years and continually gain features as technology advances. Learn how useful they can be and how to find the best option for your home or business. What’s a smart lock? Smart locks are door locks controlled digitally. These locks can be monitored and controlled by an…
How Often Should You Inspect Your Fire Alarm System?
Everyone dreads the day when fire alarm systems are being tested because they are often loud and annoying. However, the importance of making sure your fire alarms are working properly outweighs the small distraction of lights and noise. Putting off a fire alarm inspection can be both risky and negligent for business owners as it…
Local Alarm System vs. National Home Security Company
When looking for home security, you may find yourself stuck between local alarm companies and national home security. Find out why more and more people are turning to local home security companies. Knowledge One of the biggest advantages of using a local company is that they will be familiar with local safety concerns, any jurisdiction regulations…
How Your Internet Speed Affects Your Security System
Internet speed is a precious commodity in today’s connected homes. Internet speed is responsible for how quickly or slowly data moves from the internet to the application on your computer. Things like your mobile phone, television, computer, gaming system, and even appliances use the internet. And your home security system probably does too. The average…
How to Maintain a Commercial Security System
Updated May 2023 With the latest advances in security technology, it’s becoming easier for small businesses to find a security system that works for their needs. Whether your business just installed your commercial security system or has been utilizing security measures for some time, proper maintenance will increase the life of your system and provide…
5 Common Fire Safety Violations
For business owners, maintaining a commercial fire safety system is crucial for day-to-day protection. Ensuring your system and its components are in order is especially important when your business’ fire inspection occurs each year. Even if you do everything you can to prepare for your next fire inspection, you may only realize you missed something…
Best Small Business Security Systems
While no two small businesses are the same, they share commonalities when it comes to what they want in a security system. Most small business owners want to do three things: Protect their people, property, and assets from fire Protect their people, property, and assets from theft See what is happening in their business even…
How to Deter Burglars
While owning a home security system automatically decreases your chances of being burglarized, there are many common mistakes and oversights that can compromise its reliability. Here are the most important safety precautions you can take in conjunction with your security system to ensure your home is safe from thieves. Create the Illusion that Someone is…
What Are the 5 Classes of Fires?
While it can be hard to tell the difference at first glance, different types of fires occur based on the materials that fuel them. Just as you wouldn’t try to put out a grease fire with water, specific ways to extinguish each fire class exist and depend on what sustains it. Some atypical classes of…
Best Security System Setups for Senior Citizens
According to the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), nearly 90% of senior citizens want to stay in their homes as they age even if they need day-to-day assistance or have ongoing health issues like early-stage Alzheimer’s or dementia. Unfortunately, criminals often target senior citizens as victims. Thieves assume older people will not be able…