John Ng (16) Comment Alvin Chia (7) Question 3
Alvin said ''I think Singapore should step up on CCTV surveillance in light of the economic downturn. As more people will be out of jobs, some may turn to illegal means of getting money - illegal gambling, pick pocketing, robbing, among others.
Some may also borrow money from loan sharks. If the borrower were unable to pay up, the loan shark would resort to harassment of the person or his neighbours to force him to pay up.
All these incidents contributed to the increase in crimes. Based on police reports, residential break-ins and loan shark harassment had increased by more than 10% in the first three months of this year, compared to last year.
Hence, there is a need to increase CCTV surveillance to prevent crimes from happening.''
I agree with you that more people will be out of jobs, they may turn to illegal means of getting money - illegal gambling, pick pocketing, robbing, among others but even if they gamble illegally, they would play in an enclosed and deserted area, like someone's house or an isolated area where CCTVs would not be installed. There is so much happening in every corner of Singapore. We cant possibly install more CCTVs just to surveil the high theft area of Singapore. It would be pointless and would cost a lot. It would be far too expensive. No one would sponsor or install it as now we are having an economic downturn.
You also said that some may also borrow money from loan sharks. If the borrower were unable to pay up, the loan shark would resort to harassment of the person or his neighbours to force him to pay up but the loan shark can harass the person anywhere, they could harass him at a deserted alley where CCTV would never be installed there as it is pointless.
You said that all these incidents contributed to the increase in crimes. Based on police reports, residential break-ins and loan shark harassment had increased by more than 10% in the first three months of this year, compared to last year but you did not describe how the CCTVs actually aid in the apprehending of the culprits and loan sharks.
Even if we step up on CCTVs, we would need many people to watch at the hundred or thousand many screens. It would be quite pointless just to sit there and watch the hundred or thousand many screens. Besides, it would be quite a boring and lifeless job.
posted by student at 8:04 PM
1 Comments:
CCTV cameras are useful when installed in areas where there are high incidence of crimes. The presence of CCTVs would act as a deterrence to would-be criminals and assist police in their crime investigation.
If it is pointless as you said, why is there a reported increase in the sale of CCTV cameras during this economic downturn? Obviously, CCTV cameras do serve its purpose of deterring and preventing crimes. As for the cost of CCTV camera, it is a small price to pay for security, safety and peace of mind.
Loan sharks resort to harassing innocent parties (the borrower’s family or neighbours, new occupants who unknowingly bought the house from the previous owner who borrowed from loan sharks) to force the real culprit (who has been eluding payment) to pay up. We do not know when the loan sharks would strike (splashing paint on doors, putting glue in locks or setting fire to doors).
Innocent people need to be protected from such harassment. The police and the community cannot perform round-the-clock surveillance, unlike a CCTV camera which can provide crucial evidence when the crime is committed.
In addition, CCTV cameras do not need to be manned by anyone. The recordings from the CCTV cameras only need to be viewed when there is a crime being committed.
Alvin Chia (7)
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