Nov 11, 2015

A picture may be worth a thousand words. But, if that's the case, then a video feed is worth at least a thousand pictures. The use of video surveillance to gather and subsequently analyze many hours' worth of visual data has greatly enhanced operational efficiency, security and best practices in myriad sectors, not the least of which is law enforcement. The first responders to a crisis typically include firefighters, EMTs and police officers; however, in many cases, surveillance technology is at the scene of the crime before any of these emergency responders arrive.

Video surveillance's role in law enforcement 

Video surveillance solutions can and often do play a key role in helping investigators solve crimes, and there have been several recent examples of this in the media. Among them is an attempt by Detroit law enforcement to use video surveillance footage as a means of gathering potential leads on a suspect, who was captured on film opening fire on an innocent victim. WXYZ Detroit has reported and shared the video footage, and implored anyone who may have any information about the suspect seen in the clip to come forward.  

In some ways, video surveillance can also act as a crime deterrent. In the case mentioned above, WXYZ Detroit pointed out that the suspect in the footage acted brazenly by opening fire near a well-lit, gas station armed with video surveillance. This makes it much easier for local police officials to identify the perpetrator.

But local policy makers in other parts of the country believe that increasing the level of video surveillance can help deter criminals. For example, law enforcement authorities in Maryland's Anne Arundel County say there is a county-wide shortage of police officers, according to WBALTV.com. In response, Anne Arundel County Councilman Pete Smith has introduced the idea of installing security cameras in various neighborhoods that are known to have high rates of assault and theft.  

"I believe it's going to perform or act as a deterrent for those who are seeking to do harm in Anne Arundel County," Smith said, according to WBALTV.com's report.

In addition to supplying investigators with valuable information and possibly even deterring crime, video surveillance footage, when it's admissible, can supply a vital piece of evidence in a court of law. In some cases, video footage can be a decisive piece of evidence. 

Market trends reflect growing significance of surveillance solutions

The benefits of reliable, real-time video surveillance in law enforcement and beyond are well-documented, and projected market trends underscore this fact. By 2020, the video surveillance storage market is forecast to be worth $18.21 billion, showing an expected compound annual growth rate of 22 percent, according to a recent study by Research and Markets.

The study asserted that an increasing demand for improved security is generating more use of video surveillance solutions. This trend will most likely continue, especially as video surveillance technology evolves; for example, via the deployment of flexible wireless video surveillance solutions. Law enforcement will continue to be a major proponent of video surveillance, but many other industries benefit from this technology and will implement it in the coming years.

Secure video monitoring can be extremely beneficial in a variety of environments and use cases, but are particularly useful when it comes to public safety. Likewise, the ability to store this footage indefinitely can yield unforeseen benefits for years to come. This is especially true for law enforcement, which can leverage this data for investigations, trials or for studies. 

To learn more about how video surveillance can assist in law enforcement, and to explore new ways that surveillance solutions are being deployed and maintained, browse Firetide's bank of online resources and information.