JEDDAH — Many families and shop owners have decided to install surveillance cameras to prevent thefts, Al-Madina Arabic daily reported. In the past, the cameras were simply an option for many people, but today they have become necessary in light of the increasing number of thefts.
They should be installed in homes, offices, shops and on streets.
Families who have maids need these cameras to keep a close eye on what their employees do.
The cameras will protect the shops against theft while they will help government authorities identify any person who commits a felony on the street. The cameras have day and night vision technology and accurate voice recorders.
They have proved they are effective in nabbing thieves as well as foiling thefts and the crimes of maids. These advantages make many buy the cameras and install them in homes and shops.
In fact, camera sales have gone up lately.
Economic experts expect that the value of surveillance equipment market in the Middle East and Africa will go up in 2018 and reach $500 million, an annual increase of 15 percent.
In 2014, the surveillance equipment market in the Middle East and Africa reached $200 million.
The companies producing this equipment play a role in this increase. They manufacture different types of cameras, including some that are so tiny that they can be hidden in places that no human eye will spot easily.
Some cameras can be hidden inside smoke detectors or a wall clock.
Muhammad Ali, an Egyptian who works for a camera surveillance shop, said such equipment is important today.
Some people want to install them in their homes to monitor the actions of housemaids while some in their shops want to see what the workers do during work hours, he said.
“The prices are reasonable and affordable to everyone. That is why many install them.”
Ali said cameras can be connected to a cell phone remotely through the Internet, allowing users to view what is going on in their homes while they are away.
He cited the story of a father who installed such a camera and connected it to his cell phone.
One day, while the father was out and the mother was sleeping at home, one of the children struck a match and lit the carpet on fire.
The father spotted him immediately on the cell phone and called his wife, who reacted quickly and put out the fire. Most of these cameras can be installed in ceilings and are usually connected to electricity inside the house.
“You can see what's going on in your house, wherever you are around the world,” Ali said.
Farouq Islam, a Pakistani salesman, said most customers are shop owners who either want to see who steals money from the shop or want to monitor customers exhibiting suspicious behavior.
