BETHLEHEM POLICE SURVEILLANCE CAMERA REGISTRY PROGRAM
We need your help… The Bethlehem Police Department is asking for public help in combating crime.
Video surveillances photos are one of the best methods for apprehending criminals and convicting suspects who are caught in the act of committing a crime. The old saying “that a photo is word a thousand words” is so very true.
The Bethlehem Police Surveillance Camera Registry Program is a new part of the department’s crime prevention strategy. This program connects citizens and police together in a proactive partnership to keep our City safe and solve crime.
The program allows residents and business owners to voluntarily register the locations of their video surveillance system cameras with the police. This allows law enforcement to more easily identify the locations of video surveillance systems and enlist the assistance of the community to help obtain possible video evidence when a crime is committed in that area.
Many business owners and residents already operate private surveillance systems at their business or their home. As crimes occur in their respective areas, community members are not always aware that their surveillance systems may have captured information that could prove vital in a law enforcement investigation.
Using the geographic locations of the registered cameras, the Department will be able to request program participants to check their video surveillance system for a specific date and time for video capturing a suspect, getaway car or a crime. If the participant finds any video evidence, they can contact the Police to make arrangements for video retrieval at the convenience of the camera owner.
This is a voluntarily program. It is important to note we DO NOT and WILL NOT have direct access to your surveillance systems. All we request is simply your help with video if needed.
Some citizens may ask about privacy. The registry and all information on it is confidential. The police department will not have access to footage but will be aware that a camera exists when investigating a crime in or around a particular neighborhood. If a crime occurs in the vicinity or in an adjoining neighborhood, the police may, if necessary, contact participants of the program and request a copy of their footage for evidence or investigative leads. As a member of this program, your information is kept confidential. Only members of the police department have access to the list.
In an age of rapidly evolving technology, we all need to partner together to make use of the available technology in our homes and businesses to keep our own streets, businesses and homes safe. Making use of the resources many of you already maintain for yourselves will help us all make Bethlehem a safe community to live, work and raise a family in.
If you wish to volunteer your video surveillance system for use in the BPSCR Program, please read the terms of use/disclaimer below prior to completing the form below.
*Please note: this information is kept confidential and will be available only to the Bethlehem Police Department. Again, this program is 100% voluntary and you can choose to opt out of the program at any time.
TERMS OF USE/DISCLAIMER
The registration of your video surveillance system is completely voluntary. There is no cost to do so. The Bethlehem Police Department does NOT want direct access to your surveillance system. The registration of your video surveillance system will allow Bethlehem Police Officers to contact the owner of the video themselves and/or travel to the business or residence to view the possible footage. All registration information will be kept confidential by the Bethlehem Police Department unless subject to disclosure by court order.
Citizens and business owners registered will only be contacted by the Bethlehem Police Department in the event that there is a criminal incident in the vicinity of their security camera. In such event, police personnel may request a copy of any footage captured by the individual’s camera that may assist in the investigation of a crime which may be used as evidence during any stage of a criminal proceeding.
Your voluntary participation in this program shall not be construed as an obligation to release any surveillance video to the Bethlehem Police Department. Under no circumstances shall registrants construe that they are acting as an agent and/or employee of the City of Bethlehem or the Bethlehem Police Department through this program.