The new W.E.E. program will connect the community with cops to help combat crime.
The following information comes from the Winslow Township Police Department:
The Winslow Township Police Department has announced a new Police-Community Partnership Program. The department is making a voluntary registry of surveillance camera systems in businesses and homes.
The Winslow Electronic Eye Program, or W.E.E. program, will map out the locations of cameras, so officers can find possible evidence faster. The directory would not allow officers to tap into private cameras, as it would just indicate where the cameras are located. The directory will be confidential and only accessible to law enforcement.
The Winslow Township Police Department is committed to its partnership with residents and business owners. Many business owners and residents currently operate surveillance systems at their businesses and/or homes. However, they’re not always aware that their systems may have captured information that could help solve crimes. In turn, the police are also not always aware who may have this potentially vital information.
The police department is requesting residences and businesses across town to register their privately owned surveillance camera systems.
Using the geographic locations of registered cameras, the police department will be able to directly e-mail or call citizens in an area where a crime occurred. A standard e-mail may ask citizens to check their video surveillance for a specific date and time, in order to view a suspect, getaway car or other crime.
If the citizen finds any evidence, they can contact the police department to make arrangements for video retrieval. The police department may then be able to use the information or footage gathered from the security cameras to assist in the apprehension and prosecution of the criminals involved.
Business owners who register with their security cameras will receive a window sticker to show they are participating in the program.
Citizens can register their cameras by filling out an application that is located on the department’s webpage (www.winslowpolice.com.) The applications can also be picked up at the police station.
