Newtown Police Launches Surveillance Camera Anti-Crime Initiative

NEWTOWN, CT — The Newtown Police Department is looking to team up with residents and local business owners who have external surveillance cameras on their properties for a new crime-fighting initiative, authorities announced.

Law enforcement officials are asking that residents and businesses with such security devices to voluntarily share video footage with the department.

"This will give the Newtown Police another mechanism of gathering information on crimes and other incidents that happen in the community," officials wrote in the announcement. "Most investigations require door-to-door canvases of areas where the incidents occur. Many times homeowners are not at their residence at that time or the employee in charge of the camera systems is not available. The new database of information will help Newtown Police quickly contact home and business owners in a timelier manner and see if there is video evidence they could provide."

Authorities said that the database would consist of basic information that home and business owners elect to voluntarily share with the Newtown Police department by registering on the department website.

Information gathered would be things such as:

• How many cameras there are on the property
• Do the cameras capture any part of the roadway
• Do the cameras record based on motion, or are they constantly on

All the information footage will be kept confidential and used for official police purposes only. The registered person will only be contacted in the event an incident happens in their area and police need further information.

"Newtown police will not have direct use of your camera system or access to any video footage you have," officials said. "Newtown Police look forward to starting this initiative and connecting with the community in a new way to help keep Newtown safe."

Residents and business owners with exterior security cameras who would like to register can complete a registration form at https://www.newtown-ct.gov/newtown-police-department

Any questions can be directed to Newtown Police Officer Stephanie McDermott at 203-426-5841, or via email at Stephanie.Mcdermott@newtown-ct.gov