Camera Registry Programs Spur Public-Private Collaboration
A community camera registry program enables closer collaboration between law enforcement, public entities and private businesses. Businesses sign up for a community camera registry program at no cost and voluntarily share their camera locations and contact information with the police department.
Evidence is obtained digitally. When the cameras are registered, they’re plotted on a map to help identify video resources. During an investigation, detectives can quickly find cameras near a crime site and email the owners to request the relevant footage. The camera owner then clicks on a secure link to upload the video to a cloud-based portal.
The program can also complement tip lines. Using secure links, citizens can voluntarily upload photo or video evidence from their phones using a QR code or web link to a secure platform. Anonymous submissions may be permitted to encourage people to share.
Digital Evidence Management Systems Simplify Processes
A digital evidence management system allows public safety teams and investigators to centralize participants' locations, as well as the video evidence gathered from requests. It simplifies the process by making it easier to consolidate, manage and securely share crucial evidence with authorized stakeholders.
Opportunities for efficiency include:
- Smart search and filtering. Quickly find relevant footage using advanced search tools that filter by date, time, object type or specific events, saving investigators valuable time
- Automated redactions. Protect sensitive information such as faces and license plates with automated redaction tools, ensuring privacy compliance while preserving key evidence
- Secure storage. Encrypted evidence is securely stored, organized and easily accessible. Track activity with audit trails to maintain chain of custody
READ MORE: Real-time crime centers help to solve cases.
Privacy and Public Safety Aren’t Mutually Exclusive
With the expansion of public-private partnerships and community programs, new concerns related to privacy and cybersecurity often emerge. However, privacy and public safety can go hand in hand.
Vendors who develop tools that incorporate privacy protection by design provide agencies with complete control over their data, allowing them to adjust protection methods and processes as regulations evolve. The manufacturer or integrator can also help the agency configure the system to define who has access to sensitive data and footage without slowing down response times or investigations.
Protecting privacy also means hardening the devices and networks on which personally identifiable information resides. Some of the most common attack strategies take the form of spyware, ransomware, brute-force attacks, denial of service attacks, phishing and others. Look for technologies designed to detect and defend against these threats.
Also, make sure to communicate your privacy policy. Create, maintain and share your policy with city officials and other stakeholders. The policy should outline what data is collected, how it’s stored and for how long, who can access the data and under what circumstances.
Collaboration builds trust and increases transparency. Public and private entities work together to protect their communities, citizens appreciate the opportunity to contribute to making their neighborhoods safer, and public safety agencies build bridges with the public, increasing partnerships and cooperation.
