• Increased business - Cameras posted in high-traffic and risky areas can help reduce street crime and encourage more consumer traffic to stores and restaurants, increasing business and local revenue.
• Reduction in crime - Security cameras in public places can help reduce crime and vandalism, and assist law enforcement in apprehending criminals whose malfeasance is caught on camera.
• Improvement of public areas - By bringing in additional business and encouraging use of public spaces, public surveillance cameras can help make parks, public squares and city sidewalks better and more hospitable for everyone.
• ncreased cooperation between businesses and government - One unexpected benefit of surveillance cameras in public places is improved relationships between businesses and local governments. An example of this is Morgantown, West Virginia. There, the city government has begun to offer incentives to businesses who install surveillance cameras. Agreements like this one may foster better relationships between businesses and governments while boosting security.
  

• Privacy - Make sure that your public surveillance cameras do not point into any private areas - like apartments, businesses or offices, or other areas where the owners wish not to be recorded.
• Damage - Outdoor cameras can be damaged by a number of factors - including weather, car accidents and vandalism. Store your cameras in environment-controlled housings that can protect them from rain and extremes of heat and cold.
  

Every town is different, and no two areas will have the exact same security needs. Consider the following when choosing and installing your security system to ensure the right fit:

• Place cameras in areas advantageous to recording, but also be aware of the camera's safety.
• Consider an incentive plan for businesses to install complementary security cameras.