The NZ Police vision for the future of CCTV in Auckland is clear – they would like to see additional security cameras moving into suburbia, an electronic comfort blanket for those concerned about public safety.
Recent Auckland City Council and NZ Police agreement documents mark out a future for CCTV Auckland that indicates an intent to meld and spread the Council-owned cameras across the city into a cohesive web of electronic eyes, including evolving technology such as “face recognition and licence plate recognition”.
The agreement evokes a science fiction vision of an Auckland in which “specific individuals” suspected of criminal acts could be monitored and automatically followed through city streets and transport networks by computer.
Sounds a bit like a scene from Bourne Identity!
Check out a map of Auckland City Council’s current 3143 CCTV cameras below:
Well, for better or worse, this vision not happening any time soon.
A NZ Herald investigation has found that CCTV advanced technology isn’t installed, planned or possibly even necessary.
The message, simply, is right now Auckland City Council can’t expand its CCTV reach – and it doesn’t seem inclined to do so in the near future.
Experts who dedicate a lot of thought to the complications of such technology say this will give Auckland time to build in safeguards which have escaped surveillance societies abroad.
CCTV Auckland: So What Does This Mean For You?
It is clear that the purpose of Council-owned CCTV cameras is very limited and is largely retrospective, needed only when problems occur.
This means that Aucklanders cannot rely on the Council-owned CCTV cameras alone, to protect people, property and assets.
It is still vitally important for individual property owners to have a proactive emphasis on crime prevention.
CCTV may be one key security option to help achieve this. Read about its benefits HERE.
Security cameras can also help improve your business’ bottom line. See how HERE.
