Surveillance Tech's Role in Crime Prevention

Why it matters:

Dr. Read Hayes, Director of the Loss Prevention Research Council, explains how modern surveillance technology impacts crime prevention, particularly in retail settings.

Key findings:

• Surveillance platforms offer three core benefits: Deterrence (visible presence), detection (through audio and visual sensors), and documentation (evidence collection).

• Modern systems outperform legacy tech: Higher resolution, day/night capability, and networked integration dramatically improve suspect identification.

• The future is multi-sensor fusion: Hayes predicts advancements will combine visual, digital, and audio signatures with cross-organizational data sharing.

Between the lines:

Retailers facing crime surges are implementing these technologies defensively, balancing loss prevention with maintaining customer access to products.

The bottom line:

Surveillance technology creates both deterrence through visibility and accountability through better detection and documentation capabilities.