The Arlington Police Department has launched the “Neighborhood Eyes” program, which will give officers access to private security camera feeds, in an effort to help the department better respond to crimes.
As part of the program, Arlington residents and businesses with surveillance cameras can fill out an online form to inform police that they have cameras. Residents can also provide the department with their contact information, NBC DFW reports.
The department will then enter the information into a database, which only officers and detectives can access. When a crime occurs, authorities can search the database and immediately contact individuals in the area who have cameras that might have recorded the incident.
APD launched the program because it has been difficult for officers to obtain video that could assist the department when solving crimes.
In the past, officers had to go door-to-door to find out where any cameras were located during an investigation. In some cases, officers were not able to recover certain video footage before it was deleted.
Department officials maintain that the new “Neighborhood Eyes” program does not give police the ability to tap into home or business surveillance feeds.
