CMTV – The future of empowering communities
Posted on Wednesday, August 17th, 2011
With the recent activities that have taken place in London and other major cities across the UK, it is not surprising that the “Big Community” and particularly the concept of “CMTV” has become a focus for many of the public. But what is CMTV, and how can you use this idea and technology to your advantage?
What is CMTV Security
CMTV - or Community Monitored TV – is putting CCTV in to the hands of the public it protects. It’s a growing trend, and has been accepted into a number of communities, especially within the last year as Y-cam cameras have become cheaper and easier to install, and web services, like Jabbakam, allow people to communicate easier. After recent events, which where seemingly fuelled and fixed by sites like Twitter, it’s clear why the combination of CCTV monitoring and social media tools provide the opportunity to offer power back to local communities.
The idea of sharing your CCTV with your neighbour may be a frightening thought to some, however trusted “surveillance community” ideals have worked in the past and are still very much active today – anyone a member of a Neighbourhood Watch scheme? CMTV is essentially the same, but with internet cameras and an online “social” solution. The idea provides communities with the power to protect their own, plus the ability to easily pass on footage that can identify, and in turn act as evidence in the prosecution of any criminal or antisocial behaviour.
Facebook + IP Cameras = Community CCTV
A current system that allows communities to link cameras together is Jabbakam – an online service which connects either Jabbakam or Y-cam cameras together to provide a platform for users to discuss and share video footage, between open or closed groups.
By allowing users to share footage the potential of catching criminals increases, as an entire community can be alerted and take action to disturbances or unusual behaviour, which may go unnoticed or be ignored otherwise.
There are other platforms available, like Internet Eyes and Facewatch that have picked up on the power of the public for business security, and this can easily be extended to the public to create a much safer and controlled environment.
Changing the way the public fights crime
CMTV appears to be the future, with communities using CCTV-like concepts to their advantage – to aid, resolve, and in the future, avoid criminal behaviour. This idea will not only revolutionise the CCTV industry but completely change it, and we think it will change the way the public fights back against crime forever.
Want to get your community involved with CMTV? Any of the Y-cam product range can be installed and shared straight-out-of-box, and all Y-cam products are compatible with the Jabbakam service for home users, and the FaceWatch service for business users.
