In many cities the use of video cameras in public places is being increased in order to reduce crime, but some people believe that these measures restrict our individual freedom. Do the benefits of increased security outweigh the drawbacks?

The increased number of

surveillance

cameras in metropolises has become a hot topic on the internet. Many believe that these cameras are a threat to people’s privacy while others argue that it is thanks to these “sky eyes” that

crime rate

Suggestion

the crime rate

is on a constant decline. While freedom is crucial for everyone, I believe in public areas, these extreme measures bring about more benefits than drawbacks. The use of

surveillance

cameras in public areas provides better public security in multiple ways.

Firstly

, these cameras often prevent crimes from happening in the

first

place. The mere existence of them on the streets will make criminals think twice before they take

actions

Suggestion

action

.

In addition

, cameras installed in metro stations,

for example

, help to catch thieves who tend to operate in busy crowds. While it seems that their dirty deeds are well covered by

people

Suggestion

the people

surrounding them, the smart placement of the camera high and above can easily catch any suspicious behaviours and help the police to identify the criminal.

Furthermore

, a

surveillance

camera placed in the public can serve as a watchman, to make people feel safer at night when they have to go out alone.

on

Suggestion

On

the other hand, the installation of video cameras arouses people’s concerns about their privacy and freedom. It is often believed that one feels more anxious and self-conscious when knowing each and every movement of him or her is constantly being watched.

Moreover

, the opposition of using

surveillance

cameras

also

concerns about the use of camera footage for purposes not intended.

For example

, we often see researches conducted based on the footages of cameras in public areas. Those who are recorded in the footages are often not given any

choices whether

Accept comma addition

choices, whether

they want to participate in the studies. In conclusion, the deployment of

surveillance

cameras in populated areas brings safety for the public and convenience for the police. While it may cause privacy issues, they are often times trivial.

Thus

, the advantages of having them outweighs the drawbacks.