Neighborhood group donates 100+ cameras to houses, buildings

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) - The group CONO - Coalition of Neighborhood Organizations - has donated over 100 doorbell and household cameras throughout Decatur neighborhoods.

"We want to build up neighborhood capacity in the city," said Kathy Williams, the President of CONO. "We are working with anyone who wants to have a neighborhood organization and wants to curb crime in their neighborhood."

One of the first places to get cameras is the Culver House.

"We have had some minor troubles in our neighborhood and at some point we decided should put some cameras up," Bruce Nims, Treasurer of the Culver House, said. "Around that same time, CONO came to us and said, 'By the way, we have this program where we can get you the Blink doorbell camera.'"

The cameras aren't just helping homeowners and businesses. Through the CONO program, you have to register the camera with the Decatur Police Department.

"They will know who has a camera," Williams said. "If something happened in the neighborhood or in front of your home where the camera was, then they could come to your house and get the video so they can curtail this type of crime in the neighborhood."

While you have to register the cameras with the Decatur Police Department, you have the choice of whether to turn over any video that is asked for.

There are still a limited number of cameras available.

If you're interested, CONO meets again on February 18th at the Decatur Public Library.