Ottawa police creating database of community security cameras

The Ottawa Police Service is launching a program aimed at partnering with the community to address crime in the nation’s capital.

It’s called CAMSafe, and it is an initiative that police say will help with crime prevention and solving cases by using security cameras in neighbourhoods. Officials are asking people or businesses that have security cameras to register in the database.

This “modernized” approach will give police options when finding evidence and help pool resources with forces across the province.

Police say the database is only accessible by officers and only contains basic contact details and camera locations. The database would not give officials access to live footage, the press release notes.

“When a crime occurs, officers can consult CAMSafe to identify registered cameras in the vicinity,” it reads. “The system provides a screenshot of the camera’s perspective that registrants upload when signing up, enabling officers to determine whether relevant footage may be available.”

If it is helpful, an officer will request the video footage that could help the investigation.

More information can be found on the police services’ site or email camsafe@ottawapolice.ca.