Smart CCTVS for Secure Cities: Potentials and Challenges

Abstract

The nature of crime and security threats, such as transnational crime and urban terrorism, will evolve as the confluence of growing urbanisation and emerging technologies start to change the physical and socioeconomic character of cities. Current threats may take new forms even as emergent threats emanate from both traditional and non-traditional sources. Coupled with greater public scrutiny and demand for more agile responses, the operating environment is envisioned to be extremely challenging for law enforcement. Many cities across the world have already begun leveraging surveillance technology, most notably CCTVs, to enhance situational awareness for the early detection of potential threats, as well as to collect data for postincident investigation and analysis. CCTVs have been instrumental in solving high-profile terrorist and criminal cases in Singapore and abroad such as the Boston Marathon bombings in 2013, London riots in 2011, London bombings in 2005, and the murder of toddler James Bulger in Britain in 1993. Moreover, CCTVs complement police patrols and community watch programmes by functioning as a visible “eye in the sky” that acts as a deterrent.