Network Camera Video Surveillance for Towns and Cities

Copyright (c) 2008 Wes Fernley

Expansion of towns and cities is always a good thing, but it also brings with it potential problems such as increased crime. One way to help defend against increases in crime in your city or town is to employ the use of a network camera / IP camera video surveillance system. This can prove to be a vital part of your municipality's security infrastructure.

Benefits for Municipalities

Crime can be a horrible for a city, especially a growing one. The use of video surveillance can help cut down on crime, thus making the city safer and more attractive both for new residents and for new businesses. This is a good thing for everyone in town.

IP cameras used in public areas can also make these areas safer. In some cities, parks are known as havens of crime and many residents tend to avoid them, rendering these public areas almost useless. Through the proper use of a video surveillance system this problem can be curtailed, cutting down on the crime in these areas and making them safe for resident use once again.

Network Cameras for Video Surveillance

When dealing with a very large area, such as a town or city, network cameras can have a real advantage over traditional CCTV cameras. Network cameras, also known as IP (Internet Protocol) cameras come with built-in web servers and their video feeds are accessible via network. This means that no actual physical connection between IP cameras and monitoring stations need to exist: as long as the monitoring station is connected to the same network as the camera, then feeds can be viewed. This is an excellent way to handle a number of different cameras all from a single location, or at least allow a single location access to a number of different cameras, even if the cameras also have more local monitoring stations.

Another benefit of network cameras is enhanced quality. These cameras take video in a digital format, and depending on the camera resolution can often be much higher than that found in analog cameras. This gives your town's police force or security personnel a better image of the happenings on in the town, thus make it easier for them to perform their duties.

The use of advanced IP camera software can also be a great boon to a town's video surveillance system. With the use of this software, alarm systems can be set into place, or automatic notifications can be sent to officers on patrol, etc., based on certain parameters programmed into the software. This is a great tool which can be used in a number of different ways in various situations.

Installing a Municipal Video Surveillance System

It can often be tricky to install a municipal video surveillance system. Depending on property laws in the area, it will probably be best not to have it done by the town, but to work with local businesses and residents to have them set up their own cameras. For public areas such as parks, this will of course be done by the municipality itself, but for downtown and other areas where most if not all property is private, cooperation between town and businesses will be needed. You might wish to consider an incentive plan for businesses that cooperate with implement video surveillance systems

Obviously an entire town cannot be covered with cameras, so you will need to prioritize what areas should be covered. The busiest areas such as downtown or other shopping areas, public parks, etc. should definitely be considered. You should also look at the crime rates in town, see what areas are the most vulnerable to crime and concentrate on these areas as well.