Fulton Police to implement community camera program
FULTON, Mo. (KMIZ)
The Fulton Police Department is giving city residents the option to register in a community camera program that authorities say could help solve property crimes.
In this program, residents and businesses can register the locations and the capabilities of their security cameras with Fulton PD.
"Video surveillance is one of the effective methods for apprehending criminals and convicting suspects who are caught in the act of committing a crime," the Fulton Police Department said in a written statement. "Installing and registering your video surveillance is a great example of community-police partnerships and is something the Fulton Police Department values highly."
For those who register, Fulton PD can find any nearby camera, gather any video evidence needed and pursue leads in the case of crime reports. Fulton PD will only contact you if there is a crime committed nearby and they believe viewing the footage will aid in their investigation.
Fulton PD says surveillance video is the most effective way to identify and prosecute criminals. Some people may not know a crime was committed in their area and that their camera system may have recorded something. In similar circumstances, police may not know who has access to important video evidence.
The information from registered cameras will be for official use only and will be confidential, police say. Information will not be distributed unless required by law or court order.
The program is voluntary and participants can withdraw at any time, according to Fulton PD.
"We're not going to force anybody to share it. We're not going to demand that they share it. We will just ask. And if they say no, no means no, and and we move on and go another route to try to, you know, solve that problem ourselves," said Fulton Chief Bill Ladwig.
According to Ladwig, almost 40 people have registered since the police department announced the program.
This program is of no cost and it's as simple as clicking a link to register.
