Tampa Police Join Neighbors App To Provide Real-Time Crime Info

TAMPA, FL -- The Tampa Police Department has begun using the Neighbors app to work directly with Tampa community members to keep their neighborhoods safe and provide real-time local crime and safety information.

TPD detectives have already successfully used the Neighbors app to work with local residents to identify a suspect and make an arrest in a "porch pirate" incident.

The Neighbors network has thousands of users locally and millions of users nationwide, and has been instrumental in catching package thieves, stopping burglaries and keeping neighborhoods safe. Video has become an integral tool for law enforcement to prevent and solve crime in recent years.

The Neighbors network takes the tool to the next level by making it easier for residents to share crime and safety-related information and videos with each other. If a user chooses to, they can also easily share video with law enforcement as well.

In a recent case, Tampa residents used the app to post videos of a suspected serial "porch pirate" (see video). The crimes were reported to Tampa Police. Detectives sought permission from residents to view and use the video. Ultimately, the sharing of the video via the Neighbors app - first shared between residents, and then shared with police - resulted in grand theft charges.

"This is a classic example of law enforcement working closely with the public and with a business to make the city safer," said Tampa Police Department Chief Brian Dugan. "The Neighbors app makes it easier for residents to look out for one another in their own communities and makes it easier for law enforcement to quickly identify and apprehend criminals."

Residents can download the free Neighbors app on iOS/Android. They can join their neighborhood network and use the app to: monitor neighborhood activity, share crime and safety-related videos, photos and texts; and receive real-time safety alerts from your neighbors, local law enforcement and the Ring team.

"We're excited to have the Tampa Police Department join Neighbors to keep their community up-to-date on local crime and safety information,'' said Jamie Siminoff, chief inventor and founder of Ring. "Over the past few years we have learned that, when neighbors, the Ring team and law enforcement all work together, we can create safer communities. Neighbors is meant to facilitate real-time communication between these groups, while maintaining neighbor privacy first and foremost."

How It Works

Download the Neighbors app on iOS/Android.

Opt-in to join your neighborhood.

Customize the geographic area you want to receive notifications for (users must verify where they are located and cannot participate in other neighborhoods).

Receive real-time alerts from your neighbors, local law enforcement and the Ring team that inform of crime and safety alerts as they happen.

View local crime and safety posts via a live feed or interactive map.

Share text updates, photos and videos taken on any device, including Ring's home security devices.

For more information on the Neighbors network and TPD's use of the network, click here.

Video via Tampa Police

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