ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a few examples that illustrate whether surveillance is effective for specific tasks and looks at the trends that might illuminate the bigger picture, one that may change as research continues. The effectiveness of surveillance depends partly on technical capability and appropriate installation, and partly on the administration and operation of a system. Many communities have reported discontent with surveillance systems because installation was never completed, the systems were inadequately monitored, deterrent effect was negligible, or the position of the surveillance devices had little relationship to areas of high crime or vandalism. In 2009, a study funded by the Privacy Commissioner and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada was undertaken by university researchers to see if there were overall benefits of camera surveillance systems. Cameras in transportation corridors are usually mounted high enough to deter tampering and may have rugged casings for weather-resistance.
