Assessing CCTV in Preventing and Reducing Property Crime

Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras are commonly used to reduce crime in public spaces through detection and deterrence. While most research focuses on large cities, this study examines CCTV’s impact in a small city, providing insights into similar communities. The Anniston Police Department (APD) with a Smart Policing Initiative (SPI) grant sought to lower Part 1 property crime using a quasi-experimental design and Geographical Information Systems (GIS) crime mapping to identify hot spots. We analyzed 18 months of pre- and post-intervention data using weighted displacement quotient and weighted displacement difference. Aggregate counts of burglary, motor vehicle theft (MVT), and theft decreased by 8.5% in the three main hot spots and buffer zones, while control areas experienced a 13.4% increase. However, reductions varied by area and crime type, suggesting that CCTV may be more effective in specific environments. None of the findings reached statistical significance, likely due to low crime volumes; higher crime volumes could produce different results. Two years later, the APD has maintained and expanded its CCTV system, utilizing it as an investigative tool for solving crimes and supporting prosecutions. This indicates that CCTV could be beneficial for small police departments in addressing crime.