MENASHA (NBC 26) — The Menasha Police Department wants to use your security cameras to solve crimes.
The new initiative is called the Community Camera Program.
The goal is to create a confidential database for officers to find out if any personal security cameras may have recorded evidence to help solve a crime or identify a suspect.
“Having this database will really open up the options,” said Dan Hoernke, Menasha Community Liaison Officer.
Police say time is of the essence as they gather evidence.
“It’ll really conserve time for us instead of having to do that canvas which can take hours,” said Hoernke.
If surveillance cameras could have recorded critical evidence, officers will canvas the area. According to the department, that can be time-consuming. A database of people who may have recorded evidence in the vicinity of a crime could allow investigators to work faster.
“It’s a very big part of speeding up the process which will help us solve crimes much, much quicker,” said Hoernke.
The voluntary database will contain the owners' direct contact information for surveillance systems where criminal activity may have been recorded.
Officer Sam Vassar introduced the program as part of his project to ‘better the department and community as one.’
It was implemented last week, but security systems have always been helpful to police.
“It helps to identify individuals, vehicles involved, and where possible evidence might’ve been or been dropped at the crime scene,” said Hoernke.
If you live in Menasha and want to register your camera, you can fill out this form or contact the department.
