CCTV: Security or just scary

While some South Africans feel that CCTV surveillance borders on Big Brother, the country’s shocking crime statistics indicate that the eyes-everywhere approach may prove to be our guardian angel

It’s an incredibly topical and heated debate across the globe – should we have surveillance cameras in public spaces?

While some argue that they’re an invasion of privacy and can be used for nefarious reasons, such as governments spying on us, ask many South Africans, and they say they feel safer with them around. 

South Africans, no matter where they live and what their backgrounds are, feel like sitting ducks. We have all been victims of crime, or otherwise know of someone who has been a victim.

Besides our personal experiences, the latest official crime statistics do nothing to ease our panic.

Murder, which is considered to be the most reliable crime statistic to measure according to the Institute for Security Studies, has increased from 19,016 killings to 20,336 for 2017/18. In more hard-hitting terms, this means that on average, 56 people are murdered every day. On average there are 110 rapes and 61 households are robbed daily. And this grim list just goes on.

To make matters worse, many believe that they cannot rely on the SA Police Service. Not only has the Police Ministry admitted there are not enough members to ensure visible policing, which is a deterrent on its own, Africa Check, which analyses data, has accused the cops of not being forthcoming on information on how many police officers themselves are criminals.

So, it comes as no surprise that the private security industry is booming in our country and other parts of the world.

Vumacam Managing Director Ashleigh Parry says South Africans feel they have no choice but to place their safety in the hands of private companies.

“The CCTV market is growing enormously. It’s growing because people are becoming more and more aware of crime and that criminals are getting more sophisticated. So security requirements are ever increasing,”

“Usual security such as electric fences and alarm sensors have become your standard security. Ten years ago, you didn’t even need a security fence. Now we are progressing further than that. You need a security fence and want more eyes and more views on what’s going on in your suburb,”.

“Crime is around you, your home and your suburb. People expect more from their security companies.” she says.

Parry believes that all the extra security does not feed into South Africans being paranoid about crime, but instead it is a necessary layer to prevent extreme paranoia.

“We want to feel that we are doing everything possible to enhance our personal security and not leave anything to chance,” she says.

And while Parry acknowledges that there are concerns about privacy, she says Vumacam has ensured that it is compliant with the necessary laws and legislations, including the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act which governs the policy and principles of privacy and processing of personal information.

The POPI Act recognises the right to privacy enshrined in the Constitution and gives effect to this right, by mandatory procedures and mechanisms for the handling and processing of personal information.

“We have invested significantly to ensure that we are POPI compliant… that we have all the correct policies and all the processes in place to ensure that we are abiding by those rules and regulations,” she says.

POPI is based on best practice, taking its lead from European best practice. The European General Data Protection and Regulation (GDPR), which is the next most important change in data privacy, has yet to be adopted in South Africa. But Parry says Vumacam is already taking steps to ensure Vumacam will comply.

While Vumacam’s job is to supply the feed, they ensure that those who want access to it, like private security companies, are legitimate and compliant.

“So if you are a security company or an off-site monitoring company, our plans are to deploy poles and cameras throughout South Africa’s major metros. We will only provide access to vetted entities that comply with our stringent terms and conditions which stipulate what is acceptable use. It has to be within the confines of the law and in the public interest”, says Parry.

And while Parry understands that there are privacy concerns around surveillance footage, she believes that the pros outweigh the cons.

According to Reolink, which is global innovator in home security and camera solutions, there are a number of reasons why CCTV cameras are a good thing.

These include that if a crime is committed in an area where there is a public surveillance camera, the chances of catching a criminal are much higher.

Another benefit is that any CCTV footage that captures a crime being committed, can be used in a court of law as evidence against the accused.

And on the flipside, surveillance footage can also help prove someone’s innocence.

Further, surveillance cameras serve to deter theft and vandalism – it is incredibly difficult to get away unseen if cameras have their eye on you.

And CCTV cameras are not only in homes. Increasingly we are seeing them in public spaces with governments spending millions on installing them. In Johannesburg alone, the city claims there has been a marked reduction in cash heists and bank robberies since installing cameras.

In Cape Town, according to local media reports, CCTV cameras have helped reduce gang rapes.

“Not only do they help identify and apprehend suspects, the cameras help ensure they are convicted and actually go to jail,” says Parry.

So, while concerns about surveillance cameras and privacy cannot be scoffed at, the very real picture is that in a country like South Africa, they are essential. Not only do they help the police catch suspects and ensure that they go to jail, they also serve as a crime deterrent.