This text presents a comprehensive assessment of the impact of CCTV on the police in Britain. The volume examines how the police in Britain first became involved in public area surveillance and how they have since attempted to use CCTV technology to prevent, respond to, and investigate crime.
CCTV for Wildlife Monitoring is a handbook on the use of CCTV in nature watching, conservation and ecological research. CCTV offers a unique ability to monitor wildlife in real time, stream video to the web, capture imagery of fast-moving species or cold animals such as wet otters or fish and maintain monitoring over long periods of time in a diverse array of habitats. Wildlife watchers can take advantage of a huge range of CCTV cameras, recording devices and accessories developed for use in non-wildlife applications. CCTV allows intimate study of animal behaviour not possible with other technologies. With expert experience in engineering, photography and wildlife, Susan Young describes CCTV equipment and techniques, giving readers the confidence to tackle what initially may seem technically challenging. The book enables the reader to navigate the technical aspects of recording: basic analogue, high definition HD-TVI and IP cameras, portable CCTV, digital video recorders (DVR) and video processing by focusing on practical applications. No prior knowledge of CCTV is required – step-by-step information is provided to get anyone started recording wildlife. In-depth methods for recording foxes, badger, deer, otters, small mammals and fish are also included, and the book makes comparisons with trail cameras where appropriate. Examples of recorded footage illustrate the book along with detailed diagrams on camera set-ups and links to accompanying videos on YouTube. Case-studies show real projects, both the equipment used and the results. This book will be of interest to amateur naturalists wishing to have a window into the private world of wildlife, ecological consultants monitoring protected species and research scientists studying animal behaviour.
Cities are the new battleground of our increasingly urban world. From the slums of the global South to the wealthy financial centers of the West, Cities Under Siege traces the spread of political violence through the sites, spaces, infrastructure and symbols of the world’s rapidly expanding metropolitan areas. Drawing on a wealth of original research, Stephen Graham shows how Western militaries and security forces now perceive all urban terrain as a conflict zone inhabited by lurking shadow enemies. Urban inhabitants have become targets that need to be continually tracked, scanned and controlled. Graham examines the transformation of Western armies into high-tech urban counter-insurgency forces. He looks at the militarization and surveillance of international borders, the use of ‘security’ concerns to suppress democratic dissent, and the enacting of legislation to suspend civilian law. In doing so, he reveals how the New Military Urbanism permeates the entire fabric of urban life, from subway and transport networks hardwired with high-tech ‘command and control’ systems to the insidious militarization of a popular culture corrupted by the all-pervasive discourse of ‘terrorism.’
This book critically discusses the role of technology for counter-terrorism in general, and for securing our vulnerable open societies in particular. It is set against the backdrop of the terrorist threat posed by the combined forces of Al Qaeda and ISIS/Daesh in the foreseeable future. The book commences by illuminating current and foreseeable tactics and weapons used by these implacable enemies – weapons that may well include chemical, biological, radiological and potentially even nuclear (CBRN) devices. In a second part, it introduces technologies already available or in development that promise an increase in safety and security when it comes to the dangers posed by these terrorists. This part also includes a critical discussion of advantages and disadvantages of such technologies that are, quite often, sold as a ‘silver bullet’ approach in the fight against terrorism. Controversies such as those triggered by the abuse of millimeter wave scanners deployed at several Western European airports will demonstrate that there are costs involved with regard to human rights. The third, analytical part takes the critical discussion further by arguing that the uncritical fielding of new surveillance and control technologies in parallel with the on-going outsourcing and privatization of key services of the state could well lead to dystopias as envisaged in a rather prescient way by the so-called cyperpunk novels of the 1980s. The book concludes with the question that any liberal democracy should ask itself: how far can we go with regard to hardening our societies against terrorist threats?
The use of digital surveillance technology is rapidly growing as it becomes significantly cheaper for live and remote monitoring. The second edition of Digital Video Surveillance and Security provides the most current and complete reference for security professionals and consultants as they plan, design, and implement surveillance systems to secure their places of business. By providing the necessary explanations of terms, concepts, and technological capabilities, this revised edition addresses the newest technologies and solutions available on the market today. With clear descriptions and detailed illustrations, Digital Video Surveillance and Security is the only book that shows the need for an overall understanding of the digital video surveillance (DVS) ecosystem. - Highly visual with easy-to-read diagrams, schematics, tables, troubleshooting charts, and graphs - Includes design and implementation case studies and best practices - Uses vendor-neutral comparisons of the latest camera equipment and recording options
Surveillance in Europe is an accessible, definitive and comprehensive overview of the rapidly growing multi-disciplinary field of surveillance studies in Europe. Written by experts in the field, including leading scholars, the Companion’s clear and up to date style will appeal to a wide range of scholars and students in the social sciences, arts and humanities. This book makes the case for greater resilience in European society in the face of the growing pervasiveness of surveillance. It examines surveillance in Europe from several different perspectives, including: the co-evolution of surveillance technologies and practices the surveillance industry in Europe the instrumentality of surveillance for preventing and detecting crime and terrorism social and economic costs impacts of surveillance on civil liberties resilience in Europe’s surveillance society. the consequences and impacts for Europe of the Snowden revelations findings and recommendations regarding surveillance in Europe Surveillance in Europe's interdisciplinary approach and accessible content makes it an ideal companion to academics, policy-makers and civil society organisations alike, as well as appealing to top level undergraduates and postgraduates.
"Sentries of Safety: Preventing Looting and Raiding of Your Property" is an essential addition to anyone's home security resources. This comprehensive guide helps you understand the psychology and type of looters, recognize impending raid signs, and offers expert advice on creating an impregnable fortress for your home.Written in an easy-to-digest manner, this book uncovers principles of defense, including architectural considerations, fortification of doors, windows, and entrances, aiding you to secure your home base effectively. It also details equipping your perimeter with non-lethal barrier options and deterrent landscaping to further strengthen your safeguards.Being proactive is crucial, and our section on Surveillance and Early Warning Systems helps you get ahead, laying out the use of CCTV systems and strategic alarm placement. Coupled with illuminating discussions on the role of lighting in defense, indoor and outdoor, you'll be well-equipped to take on any intruder."Sentries of Safety" includes a unique feature - introducing canine security and training your dogs for defense. Training and keeping watch with guard & patrol dogs never seemed so easy. What's more? It delves deep into personal self-defense techniques and an in-depth overview of defensive firearms and non-lethal home defense weapons.Understanding that your community can be your greatest lifeguard, this book highlights building community watch programs and collaborative defense strategies. Educating you on the legal aspects of defense is a key factor, ensuring you understand your rights and how to deal with authorities after a raid.The value of anticipation is not disregarded, with strategic planning for raids, developing home defense plans, and preparedness for evacuation explored thoroughly. Preparing you for the worst-case scenario doesn't stop there, as "Sentries of Safety" guides you through emergency preparedness, including necessary supply stockpiling and effective safeguarding of your food and water.Combining theoretical knowledge with practical experience, this book concludes with lessons drawn from myriad case studies — both successful and failed attempts, so you can learn from real-world defensive strategies."Sentries of Safety: Preventing Looting and Raiding of Your Property" is a singularly indispensable guide to ensuring you, your loved ones, and your property are protected in the face of danger. Ward off threats, stay prepared, be safe!
This book constitutes the refereed proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Advanced Concepts for Intelligent Vision Systems, ACIVS 2011, held in Ghent, Belgium, in August 2011. The 66 revised full papers presented were carefully reviewed and selected from 124 submissions. The papers are organized in topical sections on classification recognition, and tracking, segmentation, images analysis, image processing, video surveillance and biometrics, algorithms and optimization; and 3D, depth and scene understanding.