INNISFAIL - Several RCMP detachments in central Alberta, including Innisfail, have launched an initiative will see private security cameras in the district voluntarily registered for use in police crime-fighting efforts.
The Community Assisted Policing Through the Use of Recorded Evidence (CAPTURE) program will record the location of security cameras owned by businesses and residents.
“Property crime has been identified as a policing priority in our rural communities,” said Staff Sgt. Carl Dinsdale, detachment commander of Rocky Mountain House RCMP.
“CAPTURE gives our members another tool to assist in their investigations, which may lead to an increase in solving these crimes and charging the individuals responsible.”
Only the location of the cameras and contact information will be recorded in the registry, he said, noting that registering a camera does not give police access to cameras or the footage.
If a criminal incident occurs, RCMP can view the list of camera locations in the registry, and contact the registered camera owners to make a request for the images or footage, he said.
“By providing the RCMP with the location of your security cameras, you could be helping to provide key information to ensure people responsible for a crime are held accountable,” he said.
“When members of the community and police work together, we have better success and improve the overall safety of our communities.”
The other RCMP detachments involved in the initiative are Sylvan Lake, Rimbey, Blackfalds and Rocky Mountain House.
To register a camera and to learn more, visit www.crimecapture.ca.
It is not known if a similar initiative is planned for Didsbury, Olds or Sundre RCMP detachments.
