The Art of Camouflage: Hidden CCTV Cameras

The widespread use of CCTV in public spaces is not without controversy. While some research has shown that how CCTV Installation can reduce crime and perceptions of safety, other studies suggest that it may do so only in specific locations and under certain conditions. Furthermore, the use of CCTV is often not assessed against other crime prevention measures that might produce superior or equivalent outcomes.

The development of CCTV in the Australian community has been primarily driven by local government. However, the systems established show considerable variation in administrative controls, funding models and operational practice. In many cases the decision to install CCTV has been made before any research is undertaken, and in most instances no process of consultation precedes installation. In some cases civil liberties representatives are consulted, but this is not a universally accepted approach.

A key issue with CCTV in public spaces is how the cameras are publicised to the community. Guidelines prepared by the NSW and Queensland state governments stress that systems should actively seek media coverage to increase the awareness of their presence. However, our research suggests that many system administrators are wary of such publicity as it may accentuate the negative aspects of an area or create a perception that the scheme is not working.

Unexpected Vantage Points: Unconventional Location

Security cameras provide a valuable safety feature to residential and commercial properties, acting as a “third eye” that can help to reduce the chances of burglaries or vandalism. They also record on-screen evidence in the event of wrongdoing and can assist important specialists with tracking down potential suspects.

CCTV systems installation could be done in a range of locations including the front door of business premises. It is recommended that the camera be positioned above eye-level and away from any windows or light sources as these can interfere with the image quality. Cameras that are positioned at eye-level often have a smaller capture angle, meaning they can miss events or actions occurring on the ground level.

Port Phillip Council takes the security and privacy of its public place CCTV program seriously and all data is governed by a set of protocols and procedures that are subject to regular audits. The program is overseen by Victoria Police who manage the day-to-day operation and monitoring of the network. Information on how to access and request footage can be found here.

Melbourne's Most Unusual CCTV Camera Placements

While the expansion of open-street CCTV systems has been rapid, they are not without criticism. A number of Australian councils have experienced difficulty in balancing the social and economic benefits with public concerns about surveillance. Economic and political pressures often result in councils committing to substantial ongoing expenditure on CCTV while neglecting alternative community safety measures.

It is also a concern that the operation of these systems may be insufficiently accountable. The absence of statutory regulation in Australia means that accountability for open-street CCTV is achieved through a range of voluntary codes and procedures. The NSW Crime Prevention Division, for example, recommends that local authorities alert the public to the presence of a CCTV system through signage (2000: 19-20).

However, signage is not universally observed in town centre CCTV schemes and the evidence suggests that the public’s awareness of CCTV monitoring is generally low. It is therefore crucial that these systems are transparent and a workable complaints procedure is in place. Moreover, a level of accountability may be achieved through the regular conduct of audits by an independent body. In Australia, this could be accomplished by the Privacy Commissioners or the Crime Prevention Divisions of State governments.

From Rooftops to Trash Bins

As the cost of digital cameras has fallen and the capacity to network them has increased, surveillance systems are proliferating, driven in part by a fear of terrorism, crime, and disorder. The fact that individuals can be filmed at any time raises concern that inferences may be drawn about them, or the data used for trivial or discriminatory purposes. People are well aware that their movements in public spaces can be monitored, with a brisk trade in fake CCTV cameras to deter criminal activity and misbehaviour. When it is proposed to introduce video surveillance, a privacy impact assessment should be undertaken and public consultation should take place. In addition, the results of audits and evaluations should be made available.

In addition, individuals should be able to request information about the system, including its purpose, whether it is recording their image and why, what it will be used for, who has access to the images, and how long they will be retained. The information should be easily accessible, in a form that is understandable. This is essential to ensure that individuals can make informed choices about the use of their personal data.

The Secret World Hidden CCTV Cameras in Melbourne

In general it is clear that more Australian research needs to be done into the operation of public space CCTV, its impact on crime and perceived community safety and its effects on civil liberties. Such research should also seek to identify alternative crime prevention measures that may be more cost effective and have less effect on civil liberties. Thorough pre-installation research has not been the norm in Australia – indeed in many cases councils have 'knee jerk' installed CCTV after a sensational incident. A case in point is the City of Manly which installed CCTV following an alleged incidence of alcohol-related violence and has since found that CCTV does not provide effective crime prevention benefits (Manly Council 2000).

Our interviews with administrators of the 33 Australian town centre CCTV systems revealed a wide range of variation in administration, funding models, operational practice and technology. It is also clear that CCTV systems are highly complex and time consuming to administer and yet they are changing the Surveillance level of city Melbourne.

Most of the CCTV systems surveyed have some form of signage alerting people to the fact that they are being monitored. However, this is not universal and some systems operate without signage. Signage is important because, as the NSW and Queensland CCTV guidelines stress, it can help maintain ongoing media awareness of the presence of CCTV. This is vital to ensure the public continue to perceive the scheme as a legitimate and appropriate crime control measure.

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