Surveillance cameras are everywhere. With smart phone technology, we can monitor our cameras from another state. Criminal activity is recorded as are the criminals themselves, leading to fast apprehension when someone is recognized. Facial recognition technology makes human intervention unnecessary if the perpetrator has a mug shot. Many do, and while that is a deterrent, crime persists. There is no limit to what may be seen on CCTV, closed circuit television.

An article in February's National Geographic traces the history of CCTV starting in 1951 with the introduction of Kodak’s portable movi...