Half of Helsinki schools have security camera surveillance

Mixed results in preventing vandalism and break-ins

print this

By Juha Salonen
     
      Security camera surveillance is used in about half of all schools in Helsinki. In the present year alone between 20 and 30 surveillance systems have been installed in schools in the city.
      The installation of the cameras unrelated with the events at Jokela School. Some of the systems have been installed in school buildings that have completely lacked any kind of camera surveillance.
      In other schools old cameras have been exchanged for new ones that work better.
      A security system costs EUR 6,000 - EUR 8,000 with installation. The combined cost of camera systems installed in Helsinki schools is in the neighbourhood of about EUR 300,000 a year.
      In Helsinki camera surveillance is most common in schools in the east and north of the city. Surveillance systems are also quite common in schools in the centre of the city.
     
Camera surveillance is not primarily a part of maintaining order or monitoring the activities of pupils during the school day.
      "The cameras by no means replace teachers. Human presence is needed", says Rauno Jarnila, Director of Education for the City of Helsinki.
      "The aim of camera surveillance is to increase the risk of being caught. If necessary we are ready to increase supervision."
     
In about 70-80 schools in Helsinki, security cameras keep watch on the outside of the school.
      In about 20 schools, the cameras are also used to monitor the interiors. In such cases the cameras are installed in such a way that they record pictures of those who are entering and those who are leaving the schools.
      These kinds of systems are often in place in schools that are easily accessible, and in areas where there are often outsiders often milling around.
     
Supervision is set up around school buildings for a number of reasons. Outdoor cameras are seen as deterrents to vandalism against windows and structures, as well as graffiti.
      Cameras in school hallways are used to catch those committing petty theft. The results vary, and it has not been possible to demonstrate that camera surveillance would have had anydirect effect.
     
Break-ins are a problem at schools, as they are in other public buildings. Heikki Sironen, a police crime scene investigator says that dozens of break-ins occur at schools in the East Helsinki precinct alone.
      The main attractions for school burglars are electronics, computers, and video projectors stored in the schools. With that in mind, the computer classrooms of some schools have had surveillance cameras installed. However, even schools with camera surveillance are targeted by burglars.
      "Fairly few direct identifications are made on the basis of surveillance pictures, but they are good additional material, when piecing a case together", Sironen says.
     
Throughout the country, schools with camera surveillance are mainly concentrated in large cities and growth centres. The first surveillance systems in schools came in the late 1990s, when they were linked as part of the schools' building plans.
     
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 17.11.2007


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Enhanced security, but no metal detectors at Columbine High School (11.11.2007)

JUHA SALONEN / Helsingin Sanomat
juha.salonen@hs.fi