Alvin Chia (7) : Comments on Desmond Tay's entry

I do not think alarm systems are a good alternative to CCTV cameras. Alarms just alert people to a crime happening and by the time people get to the scene, the culprit would have escaped if he was fast enough.

As we all know, most of the security guards we see are mostly old people as most young people would not want to work as security guards. This leads to a shortage of capable guards. Furthermore, guards cannot be at every place at any one time.

That is why in places like commercial buildings (banks), a combined system of alarms, CCTV cameras and security guards are being used. The alarm system serves to alert people, CCTV cameras to provide crucial evidence to solve a crime and secuity guards to act as eyes to deter crime and help to arrest the suspect.

Every system has its own merits, depending on situation. We need to exercise discretion when deciding what is best or most suitable for a particular place or situation, be it the installing of alarm system, CCTV cameras or the hiring of security guards.

I still think CCTV cameras are useful. Its benefits far outweigh its cost.