The society is experiencing new changes due to technological development. However, criminals too use these technologies to fulfill their unlawful deeds. It's time for us to use these technologies to fight the menace posed by criminals.
But is
India ready for evolving and using new ways of technology in the area of crime prevention? How can we prevent crimes using technology?
First of all, surveillance systems should be improved. Surveillance system refers to the monitoring of behaviour of people, objects, etc. Generally, Closed Circuit Televisions (CCTVs) are used for this purpose. CCTVs should be installed at all public places especially parks, streets, markets, etc. They can be very helpful in preventing crimes. Because of CCTVs, bomb blasts and other terrorist activities can be avoided. Though it is a difficult job but not impossible. Government should use CCTVs at public places like railway stations, bus stands, etc.
Nowadays, Global Positioning System or GPS tracking system is also used. It is a tracking device to determine the positions or locations of a vehicle, person to which it is attached. Police forces in India should use such systems so that it can be helpful in crime prevention. The technological equipments that criminals use are very advanced as compared to the equipments that our police and other law enforcement agencies use. Recently, at the 46th convocation of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), President
Pratibha Patil said that our security agencies need better technology to fight terrorism and crimes in the country.
But there are various problems in India that comes in the way of using these technologies to prevent crime. There is a lack of awareness about the new face of technology in crime prevention and lack of initiative in this regard. Lack of government funding is also one of the problems, as it is generally directed at other problems rather than preventing crimes as money is needed for future researches.
There is an abundance of opportunities to use technology in crime prevention but the only thing required is governmental support and motivation for future research.