New
Initiative through Phillypolice.com Allows
Residents and Businesses to Partner with the PPD
August 4,
2011
What
is it?
The
Philadelphia Police Department announces the launch
of SafeCam, a new online initiative through
phillypolice.com, which allows residents and
businesses to register their security cameras with
the Philadelphia Police Department. “SafeCam is an
opportunity to become a part of your neighborhood’s
crime prevention efforts,” said Commissioner Charles
H. Ramsey. “Security cameras help to deter crime,
and they can also assist in solving a crime after it
has happened. Private-public partnerships like
SafeCam are critical to making our communities
safer.”
Why
it’s important?
Numerous
arrests have been made as a result of the public
viewing surveillance video posted through the
Department’s website, www.phillypolice.com. SafeCam allows the public to register their
contact information, camera type and location of
their cameras with the Philadelphia Police
Department. Those who register will only be
contacted by the PPD if there is a criminal incident
that occurs in the vicinity of the registered
camera. The Police Department will not be able to
view private cameras through SafeCam, only their
physical location on a map.
When a crime occurs, PPD officers and detectives
will canvas the immediate area in which it has
occurred to see if residential or business owners
may have recorded the crime in progress with their
security camera. The Police Department often works
with the camera owner to retrieve video for
investigative purposes, and when helpful, posts the
video through the Department’s youtube channel
(youtube.com/philadelphiapolice). Over 100 videos
have been posted since the Department began using
youtube in early 2010 to get the public involved in
identifying suspects and crimes caught on camera.
How
can I get registered with SafeCam?
Registration is simple and takes only about 10
minutes to complete the three steps. You will
provide basic information and tell the Department
where your cameras are located. There is no cost
associated with registration and your information is
confidential. Once you have completed your
registration, a member of the PPD will follow up
with you to verify your information, and you will
receive a PPD SafeCam window decal, which you can
proudly display in your home or business.
Become part of the Philadelphia Police
Department’s SafeCam networknow! Click on the link below.
