Real-Time Crime Monitoring: Why Aren't Police Dispatched When Surveillance Cameras Capture Criminal Activity?

The answer to the question of why the police don't get dispatched to a location when a crime is being committed on surveillance cameras largely depends on the human factor. Consider how a standard surveillance operation works: operators watch feeds from cameras, which can number in the dozens, and though they may alert the police, their intervention is not always immediate due to the need to balance numerous calls and the availability of officers.

Real-Time Monitoring and Lag Time

Most surveillance cameras are designed to record events in real-time, but the recordings are not actively viewed until after an incident occurs. This delay can be critical in a criminal context, especially with offenses such as package thefts that are often caught on video. In such instances, whether an officer responds promptly depends on the availability of nearby patrols and the prioritization of calls.

One example is the recent rash of parcel thefts. Despite the presence of surveillance cameras that captured the thefts, there was a significant delay before police action was taken. This delay is attributed to the human factors involved: whether the operator is awake and alert, and whether other officers are available to respond to the call.

Local Council Oversight and Policy

Some surveillance systems, such as those managed by the local council, have a policy where all calls are broadcast over the radio, regardless of the urgency. These policies are in place to ensure that someone responds, but it doesn't guarantee immediate action. For example, the street cameras in one such local area have a policy to dispatch police assistance, but this can still face challenges when officers are already occupied with other duties.

Human Element and Juggling Priorities

The human element in crime monitoring remains a critical weak link. While operators can call for assistance, whether the police can respond in a timely manner depends on the allocation of officer resources. This is a complex issue that involves managing multiple calls and prioritizing urgent matters.

For instance, if a camera operator sees something in real-time, they may call for help. However, the police response can be delayed if there are no available officers or if the incident is not the top priority. Even in serious cases, other calls might take precedence if officers are engaged in other tasks.

Surveillance Cameras as Incriminating Evidence

While surveillance cameras are not typically monitored in real-time, they do serve as useful tools for law enforcement after an incident has occurred. After a crime, the recordings are reviewed to understand what happened. In this way, these cameras can provide crucial evidence that can help in solving crimes and identifying perpetrators.

In summary, the delay in police response to crimes captured on surveillance cameras is not an uncommon issue and is largely due to the human factors involved in monitoring and responding to real-time events. While the technology exists to capture these incidents, the human element remains a limiting factor in the urgent response needed in crime situations.