LAWRENCE, Indiana — Police in Lawrence hope to add more eyes in their fight against crime.
Specifically, the eye of a camera.
We all know how important video footage can be when it comes to investigating crime. The Lawrence Police Department is starting a new program that allows residents and businesses to register their private video surveillance systems with them.
It's called SafeCam, and several agencies across the country use similar programs.
And it's not something that the police automatically tap into. They won't actually have ready access to these cameras.
It's simply a database of addresses, allowing the department to know where surveillance cameras exist so they can quickly reach out to the owners and ask for their footage if something happens in their neighborhood.
The department provided the following Q&A about SafeCam:
Is there a cost to register?
No, the SafeCam program is free for all businesses and residents.
Why does the police department need access to private video footage?
When a crime occurs, video footage is one of the most valuable tools available to investigators and officers. Knowing the location of video surveillance systems allows the police to quickly reach out to those owners and ask for their footage, instead of trying to track down where video footage exists, if at all.
Do other police departments have programs like this?
Yes. Lawrence Police Department is one of several agencies in the United States that have similar programs, called SafeCam or otherwise.
What kind of cameras could be registered?
Any kind of video surveillance cameras are important – video doorbells, wireless video camera systems and home security cameras are just some of the common types. Note – registering for the SafeCam program only records the address and basic characteristics of the cameras, not the brand or serial number of the cameras.
Does the police department have direct access to my video footage?
No. Registering for the SafeCam program only adds an address to the police department’s database. If a crime occurs in the area and video footage is needed, the police department will reach out directly to the owner to request the footage.
Click here to learn more and to register to participate in the program.