Waterloo regional police call on homeowners and businesses to register security cameras
CBC
Police in Waterloo region are asking property owners and businesses to register their security camera locations to help in criminal investigations.
The program called CAMsafe is a public safety initiative that police hope will provide evidence in an area where a crime has been committed.
Shaena Morris, the superintendent of investigative services with Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS), said this will give investigators quicker access to video footage.
"It saves us the time of having to go out, knock on doors, door-to-door," said Morris.
"A lot of times we can communicate with people electronically. So they might be at work, we'd still be able to speak with them, contact them through email, whatever, instead of going door-to-door doing our usual canvas."
Morris said police do not have access to anyone's video security cameras without permission and it is a free and voluntary program. All people have to do is register the locations of cameras such as doorbell cams, CCTV systems and other surveillance devices into a secure data base that only police can access.
If a crime is being investigated in their area police would have direct contact with the owner to ask permission for the video recording.
The program is voluntary and a person can withdraw their consent at any time.
"CAMSafe is another important tool that helps us work in partnership with the community to enhance public safety," said WRPS Chief Mark Crowell.
"By registering a camera location, residents and business owners can play a direct role in helping prevent and solve crime in their neighbourhoods."
CAMsafe was developed and launched in 2021 by the Belleville Police Service. Since then other police services across the province have started using it, including Hanover, Peterborough, Saugeen Shores and Kawartha Lakes along with Ontario Provincial Police detachments.
Guelph Police Service (GPS) launched a similar program called the Security Cameras Assisting Neighbours in Guelph or SCANinGuelph in February of 2022.
When CBC K-W spoke to GPS in August of 2024 they indicated 150 businesses and residents signed up. Since then, Guelph police media relations coordinator Scott Tracey says the number has grown to 268 registered cameras across the city.
"The registry is already helping to make investigations more efficient and effective by identifying the locations of existing cameras," said Tracey.
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