SECURITY CAMERAS COULD HAVE AVERTED THREE DEATHS

A Crime Without Electronic Witness

On September 23rd, 2012, several young people stepped outside of Club V.I.P. in East St. Louis to settle a dispute over dance partners. Within minutes, shots were fired, leaving three dead and two wounded.

Security guards were present, but not nearby. Police indicated that without security camera footage, it would be difficult to lay charges. Currently, although three were detained after the shootings, no arrests have been made.

Folks, this is a situation where three young people have lost their lives - Alonzo Phifer, 18; Henry Byrd III, 21; and an unnamed 20-year-old. Two were also wounded. It seems obvious that although no one is blameless in an exchange of fire like this, there needs to be some sort of closure for the families of the victims - and consequences for those who perpetrated the crimes.

Club V.I.P. had no security cameras that we're aware of. In a situation like this, not only could the murders have been deterred by the presence of visible surveillance, but the criminals could have been brought to justice.

Cameras Can Save Lives

When surveillance is obvious and in a visible location, potential criminals might think twice before committing an act which they will never be able to take back. Hot tempers can be quelled by the knowledge that one's actions are being monitored and recorded by a camera. If temper takes control, however, the crime can still be resolved after the fact by pinpointing those responsible and bringing them their due.

In this situation, there are three lives that might have been spared by the presence of visible security. What a horrifying trade-off - a few dollars saved by the club in exchange for three promising young lives. And the club itself will suffer, too - reputation leaves a permanent mark, for better or for worse.

With the installation of security cameras in public and even private locations, prominently displayed, violent crime - the apex of our fears - can be averted. This can help us live our lives in peace, comfort and with a sense of safety. Although much of the time it's easy to think of surveillance as a helpful tool only after something bad has happened, it can be a powerful force for prevention.

Not only are cameras a good idea in public places such as businesses, parks and busy venues - they can also help to ease our minds when placed in and around our homes and neighborhoods. You can help prevent crime in your own backyard and around your place of business, simply by installing the appropriate deterrents!

At Eye Spy Electronics, we provide a wide array of security options, including a large selection of cameras for any environment or context. Our goal is your peace of mind - and we can provide it with the lowest installation costs and great ongoing service. Don't leave your home and business security to chance - take it into your hands today. We can help you get started.

"HIGH CRIME AREA" IN ST. LOUIS TO GET VIDEO SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM

Every city has their areas of high crime and, for the most part, people tend to avoid them when they can. Police in these areas are also on high alert and tend to patrol these areas more frequently than others. However, the police cannot be everywhere at once which means, unfortunately, that crimes still happen in these areas and more frequently than anybody wants.

However, in one particular neighborhood in St. Louis, Missouri that has been denoted as a "high crime area" by local authorities a solution may be coming along that could lower the crime rate in the area and may help put some of the more persistent criminals behind bars.

A video surveillance system is set to be installed in a St. Louis neighborhood as part of attempts to hinder drug dealing and related assaults. Over the course of several weeks, security cameras will be placed along Natural Bridge as well as Lee Avenue in the 21st ward of St. Louis, an area the alderman calls a "freeway of drug activity".

This particular neighborhood in St. Louis saw almost 1,100 crimes last year alone which included over a dozen murders. The area's alderman Antonio French told local radio stations that although the area is primarily known for its drug related problems the deaths are a bigger concern. According to French, "It's really the violent crime that we're most concerned with. We've had more than our fair share of the city's murders happen in our neighborhood."

French also noted that this move towards security cameras was born out of requests from the residents. "In high crime areas like this folks have really been screaming for the cameras," he said. The main focus of the city is most certainly the safety of the citizens and if the citizens want security cameras installed to deter crime, then the city is intent on giving it to them.