Video Surveillance

Video Surveillance

     Video surveillance has been in use for many years.  Its primary application has been a part of a business or home security system.  Video surveillance also is a wonderful deterrent for criminals.  Many businesses have signs that let you know you are entering an area that has video surveillance and might even have a monitor set up so you can see yourself at the entrance or near cash registers.  Video surveillance has helped law enforcement greatly by letting them get a good look at suspects, vehicles, and events throughout any given day.      Businesses are using many different types of video surveillance.  Sometimes it is used in conjunction with audio surveillance to keep track of everyone who enters and exits a business.  If a crime takes place, it is very easy to review the recordings from the video surveillance cameras and go directly to the time that is in question.  Jails and prisons use video surveillance to keep an eye on certain prisoners so they aren't endangering others or themselves as well.

     Homes and apartment complexes use video surveillance in the same fashion as businesses.  Video surveillance is especially useful in very large apartment complexes as by mounting some cameras in parking lots and open areas, it is less likely a criminal will harass people or steal their vehicles and property.  When used in conjunction with an intercom system, you are able to see who is at your door and speak to them before you decide to let them into your home or enter your apartment building.  This helps keep criminals and solicitors out of apartments very easily.      As technology advances, many of the older types of video surveillance cameras are being replaced with newer, digital models.  The advantage of digital cameras is they can produce a clearer picture, don't use tapes for recording, and can be placed almost anywhere.  They are very small and that makes it possible to use them for hidden video surveillance.  There are many applications for this from nanny-cams to watching employees to make sure they aren't stealing or doing anything illegal.