Have a surveillance camera? You might be able to help solve a crime

BREMERTON, Wash. — The Bremerton Police Department is hoping neighbors who have surveillance cameras on their homes or businesses will help solve crimes in their areas through a voluntary camera registry program.

Registering your camera through the Crime Reports program allows officers to quickly find cameras in the area where a crime has been committed and possibly help identify or locate a suspect.

The program is not just for Bremerton residents. Anyone can register their cameras, but not all law enforcement agencies are participating. The Des Moines, Moses Lake and Wenatchee police departments are among the list of agencies participating in the state and nationwide.

Footage from security cameras is now regularly used to help solve crimes.  After a crime occurs, knowing where cameras are located could save officers hours of searching.

If you're concerned about privacy, registering does not give police direct access to your cameras. In the case of a crime, you may be contacted by officers asking to review your footage.

Any personal information, such as contact information, will be kept confidential by police and will only be accessed by police during an active investigation.

Participants can opt out of the program at any time.

To register, you will be asked for basic contact information and where the cameras are located.

Cox Media Group