Public Surveillance Cameras and Crime: The Impact of Different Camera Types on Crimes and Clearances

This brief explains how pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) and panoramic public surveillance cameras work and how they differentially impact crime and support criminal investigations. Using data from our work with the Milwaukee Police Department from 2016-2019, our findings show that panoramic and PTZ cameras offer unique and complementary benefits to departments, and agencies should carefully consider their specific needs before choosing which mix of cameras will best support crime control and prevention goals.