Four Places that You Might Not Expect to Find CCTV Systems

Security cameras, especially CCTV systems for security, have become nearly ubiquitous in some parts of the world. In Great Britain, for example, you can’t walk down the street in most larger cities without being recorded along the way on any number of CCTV security systems. Here in the U.S., most people think they are free of such surveillance, but that’s not necessarily true. In fact, CCTV systems have become the norm for many businesses and in places that many people don’t expect to find them. Here are just a few of the places you might find a CCTV camera pointed in your direction.

At Traffic Signals

It is becoming more and more common for large and medium size cities to install a CCTV camera at traffic signals to help them monitor traffic and catch offenders that might otherwise go unnoticed. In addition to providing law enforcement with information on people who don’t stop for traffic signals, these security camera systems also provide traffic pattern data to the city’s planning department that can result in improvements to the city’s infrastructure.

At the Club

Smile pretty for the camera when you’re dancing at the club. Today, it’s not unusual for entertainment venues and dance clubs to have a surveillance camera trained on the dance floor and surrounding tables. The footage from those cameras can help business owners determine usage patterns, spot potential trouble brewing and provide evidence in case of crimes or complaints.

On the Job

Security-conscious companies have been installing CCTV systems to monitor employee behavior for years, but the practice is spreading to smaller and smaller companies. With the advent of reality shows that hinge on employees stealing from employers and goofing off whenever they’re not watched, the trend for employers to install a surveillance camera in the workplace has grown significantly. On a more positive note, a security camera on the worksite can help bosses spot places where improvements can be made and gives them footage to defend employees against complaints.

In the Home

Once the province of the uber-wealthy, CCTV systems are now found in many middle-class homes where they provide security and peace of mind for homeowners. Many security companies will install video security systems that only turn on when the system detects a breach in the perimeter or when activated by the homeowner.

CCTV systems provide security, peace of mind and information to home and business owners. They are becoming more and more common in our everyday lives, a trend that some find troubling, but that many others find encouraging and comforting.