Spread too thin: analyzing the effectiveness of the Chicago camera network on crime

The use of surveillance cameras is growing tremendously in the USA. In this paper, researchers evaluate two studies that analyzed the effectiveness of Chicago’s camera network in reducing crime. Chicago has one of the largest urban surveillance networks, with over a 1000 cameras. The analysis found the initial crime level of an area where a camera was placed had a significant effect. In areas with high crime, cameras were very effective in reducing crime. In other areas, the cameras had little effect in reducing crime. This exploratory research suggests fewer cameras in crime hotspots are much more effective than a wide diffuse camera dragnet.

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