Blog Action Day: Poverty and security

Poverty’s not really a concept we talk about that much in the security world, but it’s inevitably a factor behind a certain percentage of lower end crime – what greater motivation for shoplifting or stealing can there be than hunger?
But it’s the security industry’s job to protect all of us from crime and anti-social behaviour. The most important issues for people living under the poverty line are that they are not unfairly targeted as potential criminals and that they are offered similar protection from security solutions as those who can afford to pay for the latest security technology.
It’s really the protection function of security equipment and technology that should be focused on, and in the UK and around the world, local governments are increasingly using their security budgets to help the more vulnerable members of society feel safe and secure from crime.
But that’s not to say that enough is being done. It wouldn’t hurt the image of security manufacturers and large installation companies if they provided free alarm or access control equipment to the most disadvantaged housing estates and communities. And it wouldn’t hurt the government to actively encourage these sorts of programmes, while contributing themselves.
Even in times of economic turmoil and uncertainty, we can’t afford to ignore the welfare of the most needy communities.
Seriously.