Decatur police open surveillance camera registration program

DECATUR, Ill. (WAND) – The public can help stop crimes by registering their private exterior security cameras with Decatur police.

Decatur Police Department officials said a registration program opened Tuesday in an effort to “deter crime and promote public safety”, according to a press release. Should a crime happen in view of an external camera, police can search the registration data and reach out to the owner with a request to see footage.

George Kestner, Decatur Police's Crime Prevention Officer, said would-be-criminals would not know whose or business is registered with them.

"We want the citizens to know that we're doing it for the public safety," Kestner said. "We want to help deter crime in their community. Deter crime in their neighborhood."

Look at it as a 'city-wide-scale' of being part of a neighborhood-watch.

"What better way to fight crime than to use these," Kestner said.

Police are stressing that they will never have direct or remote access to anyone’s cameras or camera system. They said having registration information available allows police to investigate crimes more efficiently.

“We believe that working with the community to expand the use of existing technologies will assist in improving public safety in the City of Decatur,” police said.

Cameras can be registered at this link by clicking on the “Police” tab under “Departments”. From there, click “Camera Registration” under the “Police Department Menu”. Program details, terms and conditions and legal disclaimers are available on the site.

The registration process asks for the following: