Abstract
Results from a survey conducted in Hamburg in 2006 suggest that closed-circuit television (CCTV) has little to do with manufacturing security/feelings of safety among people. It seems that preceding spatial perceptions have a greater impact on whether a certain space or place is regarded as being unsafe or not. In this paper, I will present data from a quantitative survey that questions the role of feelings of security and how they might impact attitudes about CCTV, and highlight that the perceived safeness of a space has little to do with the technology and more with socio-relations, of which space is but one part. This does not mean that CCTV has no impact at all, but rather that it is not necessarily the major factor it is thought to be, and seemingly not a measure to enhance feelings of safety in public spaces. The survey also raises questions about the aptness of the methodology to researching spatial issues, because of the complexity of space and spatial contexts.
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Appendix
Appendix
Fifteen Statements About CCTV
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1
CCTV enhances the safety of people.
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2
CCTV is not necessary when police patrol the streets.
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3
I feel safe because CCTV protects me against assaults and mugging.
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4
Money spent on CCTV would be better spent fighting the causes of crime.
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5
CCTV helps emergency services in cases of emergencies.
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6
I feel watched by CCTV.
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7
CCTV deters potential perpetrators.
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8
CCTV is an infringement on my civil liberties.
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9
I would welcome CCTV in my own neighbourhood.
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10
CCTV is only displacing crime.
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11
Rightful persons have nothing to fear from the cameras.
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12
CCTV helps police to defend against dangers.
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13
Street lighting renders CCTV obsolete.
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14
CCTV is used to judge people on the basis of appearance.
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15
CCTV control personnel are managed sufficiently.
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Zurawski, N. ‘It is all about perceptions’: Closed-circuit television, feelings of safety and perceptions of space – What the people say. Secur J 23, 259–275 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1057/sj.2008.20
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/sj.2008.20