Residents encouraged to join Washington camera program

WASHINGTON - With the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic resulting in more online holiday shopping and home deliveries, the Washington Police Department encourages residents and businesses to participate in the community camera program.

The program began last winter before the holidays. Around a dozen properties registering their systems with the program.

The goal of the Washington Community Camera Program is to deter crime and promote public safety through collaboration between the police department and the community.

'We oftentimes use business and residential surveillance systems to assist in our investigations,” said Washington Police Chief Jim Lester. 'Sometimes a business or residential property owner may not even be aware that their video system recorded the act or potential suspects.”

Having video systems registered with the police department, investigators can quickly identify nearby cameras that may have captured the criminal activity. If necessary, owners may be requested to allow investigators to view their camera footage in order to assist in the investigation.

'Knowing where we can begin to look for this evidence can be vital to solving crimes and ultimately keeping our community safer,” Lester said.

The goal of the program is to deter crime and promote public safety through collaboration between the police department and the community.

Officers will not have remote access or be able to access live-feeds of any registered cameras.

The program is completely voluntary, and no one is obligated to release recordings to the police department.

Information provided regarding the camera systems will be for official use only and personal information will remain confidential.

Washington residents and businesses can register their systems on the city's website or by following this link: washingtoniowa.gov/washington-community-camera-programregistration/