Effectiveness and Social Costs of Public Area Surveillance for Crime Prevention

Posted: 11 Nov 2015

See all articles by Brandon C. Welsh

Brandon C. Welsh

Northeastern University - School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

David P. Farrington

University of Cambridge - Institute of Criminology

Sema A. Taheri

Northeastern University - School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Date Written: November 2015

Abstract

Video surveillance, or closed-circuit television (CCTV), has become a highly popular and prevalent method of preventing crime in public space in many countries across the world. Although it often dominates the policy focus, questions have been raised about its effectiveness and social costs, as well as how it compares to alternative surveillance measures. A theoretical and programmatic understanding of surveillance draws attention to other widely used surveillance measures that perform a crime prevention function in public places. These include improved street lighting, security guards, place managers (e.g., bus drivers and parking lot attendants), and defensible space (i.e., changes to the built environment). This article reviews the research evidence on the effectiveness of the full range of public area surveillance measures and examines related social costs. It also serves to broaden the view of public area surveillance beyond the current narrow focus on CCTV.

Suggested Citation

Welsh, Brandon C. and Farrington, David P. and Taheri, Sema A., Effectiveness and Social Costs of Public Area Surveillance for Crime Prevention (November 2015). Annual Review of Law and Social Science, Vol. 11, pp. 111-130, 2015, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2689011 or http://dx.doi.org/10.1146/annurev-lawsocsci-120814-121649

Brandon C. Welsh (Contact Author)

Northeastern University - School of Criminology and Criminal Justice ( email )

Boston, MA 02115
United States

David P. Farrington

University of Cambridge - Institute of Criminology ( email )

7 West Road
Cambridge

Sema A. Taheri

Northeastern University - School of Criminology and Criminal Justice

Boston, MA 02115
United States

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