STREET TALK
It is either our privacy or our security
By Reggie J
October 28, 2008 Print Ready Email Article
I WAS but a twinkle in my father's eye when, in 1948, a certain Alan Funt devised the riotous Candid Camera show for television. It became a phenomenal hit in several versions and was shown all over the world even in the late '70s.
Today, we are captured on closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras on a show that is running constantly at shopping malls, offices, schools, even street corners and residential blocks.
It was reported that CCTV is to be installed in lifts in Sembawang at a cost of over $700,00. The Town Council hopes this will aid the fight against anti-social behaviour and crime.
It is sad that after decades of home ownership and so many campaigns to teach us what to do and not do, the CCTV has to be introduced as a deterrent to vandalism, littering and urinating in lifts.
Don't people have pride in their estates any more? Do we need even more of these monitors in our surveillance society?
Yes, they may get rid of some unwanted behaviour - along with some delights. Lovers, for instance, may no longer feel like stealing a kiss in lifts.
Today, the CCTV has gained so much acceptance as a crime-fighting tool that we're told we can't have it both ways. It is either our privacy or our security.
But according to a report in London, 'police are no more likely to catch offenders in areas with hundreds of cameras than in those with hardly any'.
But it is hard to dispute that CCTV footage and DNA sampling have proven to be critical for the police in their investigations and have enhanced their capabilities in the fight against crime.
The UK has more CCTV cameras installed (about 4.2 million) than perhaps anywhere else in the world. Someone in the UK is caught on CCTV an average of 300 times a day.
In some city centres, speakers have been put on the cameras, so that those monitoring can interact with potential miscreants. I can imagine them talking down a teenager from his decision to drop a chocolate wrapper on the pavement.
And now 'listening' cameras are being tested. They will be able to recognise sounds such as breaking glass, and when such noise is detected, they will rotate in that direction and capture footage of what is going on there.
In the end, whatever you have to say against these cameras, you may have to accept that they are here to stay.
And there is no doubt that there's something in the saying that if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.
The next time you happen to be on CCTV, remember what Mr Funt used to say: 'Smile, you're on Candid Camera.'
# The writer is a former Singaporean marketing professional.
It is either our privacy or our security
By Reggie J
October 28, 2008 Print Ready Email Article
I WAS but a twinkle in my father's eye when, in 1948, a certain Alan Funt devised the riotous Candid Camera show for television. It became a phenomenal hit in several versions and was shown all over the world even in the late '70s.
Today, we are captured on closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras on a show that is running constantly at shopping malls, offices, schools, even street corners and residential blocks.
It was reported that CCTV is to be installed in lifts in Sembawang at a cost of over $700,00. The Town Council hopes this will aid the fight against anti-social behaviour and crime.
It is sad that after decades of home ownership and so many campaigns to teach us what to do and not do, the CCTV has to be introduced as a deterrent to vandalism, littering and urinating in lifts.
Don't people have pride in their estates any more? Do we need even more of these monitors in our surveillance society?
Yes, they may get rid of some unwanted behaviour - along with some delights. Lovers, for instance, may no longer feel like stealing a kiss in lifts.
Today, the CCTV has gained so much acceptance as a crime-fighting tool that we're told we can't have it both ways. It is either our privacy or our security.
But according to a report in London, 'police are no more likely to catch offenders in areas with hundreds of cameras than in those with hardly any'.
But it is hard to dispute that CCTV footage and DNA sampling have proven to be critical for the police in their investigations and have enhanced their capabilities in the fight against crime.
The UK has more CCTV cameras installed (about 4.2 million) than perhaps anywhere else in the world. Someone in the UK is caught on CCTV an average of 300 times a day.
In some city centres, speakers have been put on the cameras, so that those monitoring can interact with potential miscreants. I can imagine them talking down a teenager from his decision to drop a chocolate wrapper on the pavement.
And now 'listening' cameras are being tested. They will be able to recognise sounds such as breaking glass, and when such noise is detected, they will rotate in that direction and capture footage of what is going on there.
In the end, whatever you have to say against these cameras, you may have to accept that they are here to stay.
And there is no doubt that there's something in the saying that if you have nothing to hide, you have nothing to fear.
The next time you happen to be on CCTV, remember what Mr Funt used to say: 'Smile, you're on Candid Camera.'
# The writer is a former Singaporean marketing professional.
