The Battlefords Citizens on Patrol Program is promoting the surveillance camera registry. (Battlefords Citizens on Patrol/Facebook)

By Angela Brown

Protect your property

Citizens on Patrol Program group urges people to register their security cameras

Feb 2, 2023 | 9:43 AM

Property owners in the Battlefords are encouraged to register their outdoor surveillance camera system to add an extra layer of protection to their neighbourhoods.

The Battlefords Citizens on Patrol Program (COPP) vice chair said the more people who install and register their surveillance cameras, the easier it will be for the RCMP to investigate if there is a break-in.

“They are valuable in that they help to some degree to deter crime,” said Battlefords COPP vice chair Doug, who prefers to go by his first name to protect his privacy. “They may not prevent a crime from occurring in a neighbourhood. But if the RCMP or CSOs [Community Safety Officers] are able to determine who the individuals [suspects] are and subsequently take them off the street, then that does help to prevent crime from that perspective.”

Doug reminds people they are not obligated to provide their video to police. However, if their camera is registered, police can contact them to request their video footage if an incident were to happen in their area.

“It’s entirely voluntary,” he said. “If the RCMP or CSOs are aware of some criminal activity in a certain neighbourhood, and they wish to [find out] if there is any security camera video, they can go knocking door-to-door, which isn’t very efficient, or they can go to the security camera registry, which will list property owners who have a security camera.”

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A number of residential and business property owners have already registered their cameras.

The City of North Battleford may offer a financial incentive for new high-definition camera system purchases registered, through its Outdoor Security Camera Assistance Program.

“If the property owner, whether it’s a business or resident, purchases a camera that satisfies the criteria, then the city will provide that reimbursement,” Doug said.

The Town of Battleford also encourages people to register their security cameras with the COPP, through a link to an online application form.

Doug would like to see a lot more people register their cameras in the area.

“We definitely need more in both the city and the town…,” he said.

Doug added if people have a security camera, then would-be criminals just might think twice before committing a crime.

“There are probably some criminals that are aware that there is a camera up there. And, from a deterrence standpoint, maybe they avoid a property as a result.”

–

Angela.Brown@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @battlefordsnow

by Angela Brown

Citizens on Patrol Program group urges people to register their security cameras

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