Sunday, August 21, 2005

Warning: These premises are under video surveillance

This one is pretty amusing ...

In the PIPEDA age, store owners and others who use CCTV on their premises for security and other purposes are required to post notices that the area is under video surveillance. This is because you have to make a reasonable effort to bring this form of collection of personal information to the person's attention so they can decide whether to enter the premises. How much is "reasonable" and does anyone pay attention to the signs?

You can likely assume that a company specialising in video surveillance would have the place covered by CCTV. But just for good measure, the owner of a Manchester CCTV supplier put up signs. You would think that was enough, but some dolt actually went onto the property and stole a laptop worth £700. Reports say he was picked up by eight separate cameras and was also seen casing the place half an hour before. See the story on Sky News : CCTV Shop Raid: Britain's Thickest Thief?.

What are the lessons to be learned?

  1. People don't read signs?
  2. CCTV signs don't deter theft?
  3. Surveillance doesn't deter theft?
  4. Some people are too thick to read signs that might actually affect them?
  5. All of the above?

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