Pulse In Depth: ‘Cops’ Creator Bringing Video Surveillance ‘Justice’ to TV

HOLLYWOOD, Calif. — The man who showed America’s living rooms how police officers captured criminals is now poised to show how video surveillance contributes to the charge against crime.

John Langley, creator of the long-running series “Cops,” has his eye on a new television series that could do for video security what “Cops” has done for law enforcement.

Langley is producing “Video Justice,” a true-crime series slated to make its debut on COURT TV this spring. Each episode will feature four segments showing how video surveillance contributed to the investigation of a crime and led to the conviction of the culprit.

“We live in a world of video — a world of multiple windows, whether it’s home security, a liquor store or a public street. It’s a good thing,” Langley told Security Sales & Integration. “In terms of crime fighting and the court system, it’s been invaluable.”

Langley is credited with single-handedly creating true-crime reality television when he brought “Cops” to Fox in 1988. Of the prime-time shows currently on the air, only “America’s Most Wanted,” “60 Minutes” and “Monday Night Football” have been on the air longer than “Cops.” The Saturday-night staple has brought true meaning to reality being better than a script, and “Video Justice” will be no different.

“Things happen in real life that don’t happen in fiction. Real life inspires fiction,” Langley says. “Video surveillance is a pure form of capturing what takes place. That’s what we try to do with ‘Cops’ — We’re a fly on the wall.”

“Video Justice” is scheduled for an initial run of 13 episodes on COURT TV. While the show will differ from “Cops” in the fact it will have narration, most of each episode will be powered by the CCTV video provided to producers by law enforcement and, most importantly, those that install and service CCTV systems.

Langley says the basis of “Video Justice” came to him long ago in the process of filming and putting together episodes of “Cops.”

“In doing ‘Cops,’ we had episodes where video played a role. This is an idea I had years ago, but the time wasn’t right,” says Langley, who adds that advances in CCTV equipment — especially when it comes to clarity — have made that right time now.

“You’re able to recognize suspects now as opposed to the old days of blurry suspects. That’s yesterday’s technology. Today’s technology is very convincing.”

Part of the success of “Cops” has come from the cooperation and help Langley has received from law enforcement agencies to allow viewers to enter the driver’s seat of a police car on patrol. Langley knows full well that “Video Justice” won’t have video or justice without the input of companies that install and service CCTV systems.

With open arms, he wants to partner with the video security industry, but the benefits of the partnership will be mutual. Companies that provide CCTV footage that led to an arrest and/or conviction of a crime will receive on-screen credit and will also receive authorization to use “Video Justice” segments in their promotional materials.

“We’re looking for any video that has had any impact on the justice system and law enforcement,” Langley says. “It’s a pretty broad net and we’re hoping to capture the most compelling stories.”

Companies wishing to get their chance for television stardom can call (310) 449-7150 for more information, or send their materials to co-producer Jan Richards at Langley Productions, 2225 Colorado Ave., Santa Monica, CA 90404.

 

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