Big Brother Is Watching

I am no fan of the Big Brother concept and to me, the recent call by the PM requiring building owners in crime-prone areas to install CCTVs smells like one to me. Certainly the open remarks doesn't help:

The police will soon have their eyes on every building in crime-prone areas.

Of course, given our crime rate have increased by 13.4% in one year alone, one would be undoubtedly worried. Afterall, where would safety be if one can't even secure one's home? With criminals getting more daring by the day, I doubt keeping a Rottweiler at home will help.

Yet I am curious. How would installing CCTVs help to reduce crime? Afterall, monitoring tools are only useful provided we have the right enforcement. On top of that, why should the people be responsible for installing and maintaining such system? If the Government can clearly identify areas which are crime prone, shouldn't they send in spies in plain clothes to find out who are the perpetrators as well as place police enforcers to patrol the area to give a semblance of peace and order?

Source: http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Big-Brother-is-Watching-You-Posters_i847514_.htm

Instead, the call to install CCTVs at your own cost but at the Government's pleasure to use is not going to go down easy. As it is the people are burdened with many increasing costs and the best way to save is to be effective in spending.

If the CCTVs are really needed, shouldn't there be co-ordination among the Government and the people to ensure that missed pockets and/or overlapping CCTVs be avoided to reduce wastage? If the CCTVs are essentials in crime fighting, would the Government provide some form of subsidy like tax breaks to help the people ease the pain?

According to Jacob George, president,Consumer Association of Subang and Shah Alam (Cassa) as reported to Malaysiakini:

Disappointingly, the government’s announcement about beefing up the police force is like upgrading computer hardware without upgrading the software. We not only need more cops on the ground, we also need cleaner cops.

Instead of talking about more cars, guns, police stations and CCTVs, we need to look into the core issues of forming a more efficient police force in order to tackle crime. We have to see where the police have gone wrong.

For example, if one were to make a ‘999' distress call, don’t be surprised if it takes up to one hour for a patrol car to come by. Physical improvements alone are not the correct solution. The government needs to find out whether there is a sharp increase in the number of criminals on the streets or whether the police can improve the way they do things.

Perhaps its high time the police perform a self-analysis or some sort of reflection. They can conduct public feedback, as they did in the 1960s and 1970s. It’s time they become a more people-orientated service, rather than a police force.

I couldn't agree more. If the police are effective would anyone really need gated communities? In most neighbourhoods, increasingly people are employing security guards to cordon and patrol the areas. It is unsurpising that you have to fork out from RM50-RM150 monthly just to obtain basic security. Then why are we paying the police for with our hard earned income via taxes if they aren't patrolling the streets and making it safe?

I do agree that people are partly to be blamed because they don't mix and mingle with their neighbours but ultimately, they need the power of the State to enforce peace and to arrest criminals. And why are they wasting it by amassing thousands of policemen to dispersing peaceful assemblies which happen to highlight the failing of the ruling party? Or wasting money by hiring 31 helicopters when all they needed is 8?