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Abstract: Video surveillance system as an urban safety measure is nowadays a growing phenomenon in most European countries. Cameras seem to play an important role in crime prevention strategies at the local and national level. Arguments for setting up video surveillance on streets are more or less the same – to prevent, detect and deter crime. The purpose of this prevention strategy is clear but there is still one part that remains unanswered – what are the effects, if there are any? Studies showed that, in overall, there is little evidence of positive impacts of video surveillance system. In general, a significant crime drop, which could be attributed to video surveillance, has been shown in car-related crimes (e.g. pilot study of the City of Surrey in 2009). The latter should be comprehended with caution, because the authors report that the results are in strong correlation with the methods applied in the process of evaluation (e.g. study in the case of Malaga). Many studies have implemented the same (common) methodological approach, which seems to be inappropriate when it comes to evaluation of the efficiency of cameras – especially non vehicle-related crimes (e.g. personal crimes, vandalism, pickpocketing, etc.), which represent the target group for crime reduction in the City of Barcelona. Therefore, this paper will highlight the importance of assessing the efficiency of video surveillance systems. The main aim is to re-conceptualize a model used for measuring efficiency and application of results in case of video surveillance. The cornerstone of the model is based on thorough examination and transformation of indicators (e.g. physical layout, social environment, legal basis, tehnical input, control), which could influence potential crime decrease. Another objective is to clarify ambiguous concepts and aspects of system’s applications. As this is a case study, our main goal is to examine system opportunities and possibilities in Barcelona. The study is focused on legal basis, current research and practical implementations. With all this in mind this paper will attempt to create a research model for measuring the efficiency that could be applied to the city of Barcelona.
Keywords: video surveillance, public area, defensible space, effectiveness, research model
Published in DKUM: 17.10.2014; Views: 2126; Downloads: 170
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