Montgomery County Police have introduced MoCoConnect, a new initiative allowing residents to register their home security cameras voluntarily and indicate their willingness to be contacted if a crime occurs.
According to Police Chief Marc Yamada, the program is organized in collaboration with Fusus by Axon and allows for camera integration, enabling live video to be shared with police in real-time.
“The department is always looking for ways to work collaboratively with the community to prevent, detect, and deter crime, Yamada said. “This is a great way for members of the public, business community, and residents alike to be active participants in keeping our communities safe.”
Yamada says that MoCoConnect will keep police informed as the department faces staffing shortfalls.
“Police officers who are better informed make smarter and more efficient decisions,” Yamada said. “As we continue to face unprecedented staffing shortfalls, leveraging technology and community partnerships is essential to ensure that the Montgomery County Police Department can provide the highest quality services possible.”
Chief Marc Yamada has announced the launch of MoCoConnect, the Department’s community camera sharing program. #MCPD #MCPNews https://t.co/96FxTXMg8c pic.twitter.com/e5UBTB14Y4
— Montgomery County Department of Police (@mcpnews) July 24, 2024
Although the program will be available to all officers, the Violent Crime Information Center will primarily use it, as will investigators for criminal events and the Managed Search Operations Team officers as they try to locate missing persons.
Acting Assistant Chief David McBain said, “This program is not about violating individual privacy or being a ‘big brother.’ No one will be required to share anything with us unless they want to.
“It’s no different than a business giving us a login account to see their cameras,” McBain continued. It just lets us do it easier—with more protections and control over what we are allowed to view and when we can see it. There are a lot of people in our communities, especially our religious communities, who are concerned—they want to be able to be part of the solution to protect their communities.”
Registering for the MoCoConnect program is free, but integrating cameras will incur a cost; assistance may be available depending on the site and location.
For more information on the MoCoConnect program, including how to participate, visit mococonnect.org or contact the Violent Crime Information Center at [email protected].
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