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Bacolod City, PhilippinesTuesday, November 6, 2012
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Editorial

A CCTV World

Daily Star logo
Published by the Visayan Daily Star Publications, Inc.
NINFA R. LEONARDIA
Editor-in-Chief & President

CARLA P. GOMEZ
Editor

CHERYL CRUZ
Desk Editor
PATRICK PANGILINAN
Busines Editor

NIDA A. BUENAFE

Sports Editor
RENE GENOVE
Bureau Chief, Dumaguete
MAJA P. DELY
Advertising Coordinator

CARLOS ANTONIO L. LEONARDIA
Administrative Officer

Last month, Philippine National Police chief Director Nicanor Bartolome said he would propose that business establishments be required to install closed-circuit television systems in the next meeting of the National Peace and Order Council. In Congress, Sen. Manuel Lapid has filed a bill requiring commercial establishments with work areas measuring at least 50 square meters to install and maintain CCTVs in strategic areas. And starting January next year, the Quezon City government will strictly implement a “No CCTV, no business permit” policy.

The logic of those who are pushing for the use of CCTVs as a tool for the prevention and speedy resolution of crimes seems sound enough. We have seen how thieves and robbers have been identified and caught when they  made the mistake of hitting an establishment with a CCTV system installed. The technology has also matured and the prices of such systems are much lower than before, with installation costs ranging from P15,000 to P30,000, depending on the area to be covered and the resolution of the cameras, so it makes sense to require commercial establishments to install a CCTV system for their own protection.

The proper use of CCTVs can be an effective force multiplier for the police, giving them eyes where they cannot see, and making criminals think twice about their targets. Making it a requirement for commercial establishments to get a business permit sounds like a good idea but there is also the question of whether the owners can afford to have a CCTV system, not only installed, but properly maintained as well. Another option would be to give those businesses that have complied with that requirement tax incentives or other enticements for them to use CCTVs.

If CCTVs can prevent crimes and help solve crimes as advertised, there is no doubt that they will be worth the investment. If business owners invest in CCTVs, they will be expecting the police to do their part and solve crimes faster than the pre-CCTV days. Hopefully the PNP can meet that expectation, so this measure will contribute to a significant drop in crimes all over the country.*

 
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