When implemented with a well-thought plan and used properly, CCTV can potentially be a real force multiplier for law enforcement agencies of any size. Using CCTV judiciously can be an effective way to prevent crime. However, there seems to be a growing trend of residents running systems which because of a lack of accountability could create potential for abuse and invasion of privacy. As long as surveillance systems are monitored by police, and police departments follow good codes of practice and ethical policy for CCTV use, the public will continue to accept surveillance in public places. Before cameras are turned on, a camera monitoring policy, which addresses privacy and video retention concerns, should be made available to the public. CCTV is not a one-size-fits-all solution for preventing and solving crime. Agencies must evaluate the benefits of CCTV systems against the needs of the municipalities. CCTV can work well to prevent crime in small, well-defined areas such as public parking lots, but improved lighting, increased security, and better parking barriers and control mechanisms work equally well. Agencies should review a range of crime prevention tactics, rather than looking at CCTV as the only tool available. An in-depth analysis for finding the right surveillance systems is discussed as well as a case analysis of the Dallas Police Department’s first year with CCTV.