Coventry Police Launch Voluntary Camera Registration Program

COVENTRY, RI — Police are asking Coventry residents to join a new security camera registration program. The program is completely voluntary and residents do not need to provide much personal information, police said.

"The Coventry Police Department wants your help in fighting crime," the department said. "A prime example of this was a recent sexual assault investigation that the [department] investigated on the bike path, where use of an area surveillance system not only identified a suspect, but was able to locate and apprehend him in within hours!"

The program works by identifying any security cameras near where a crime happened, helping police in their investigation. Police will not have direct access to cameras, instead officers will reach out to residents or businessowners and ask them to review footage around the time that the crime happened. If anything relevant is found, the person is asked to contact the department and share the footage with them.

Anyone interested in joining the program can register online.

Coventry is not the only town to launch such a program in the last few months. Both Bristol and Tiverton have rolled out similar registration programs.