New Community Camera Registration - Civic Eye

SWEET HOME, Ore February 10, 2021 –  If you have a home or business video surveillance system, you can help Sweet Home police solve crimes in your neighborhood by registering the system.

The Sweet Home Police Department requests public members to register their surveillance systems with Civic Eye, a database and mapping tool which provides instant information of nearby cameras to officers investigating crimes.

Registering and the use of surveillance footage is entirely voluntary.

"All it does is give officers a potential source of leads," said Sean Morgan, Sweet Home Police Department community services officer. "It's a simple thing, but video footage frequently makes the difference in solving a crime. Knowing what footage may be available and where will no doubt be the key that solves numerous crimes."

Earlier this year, Morgan said, he received a phone call from an officer investigating a crime in his neighborhood. The officer was trying to find out if Morgan knew of any camera systems in the area. Morgan didn't, so he contacted a couple of neighbors, but they didn't know either. Hours elapsed, waiting for return phone calls, and the search was fruitless.

In a much simpler scenario, a police officer responds to a package's theft and takes a report. The officer opens the database on a smartphone and instantly has a map of nearby surveillance systems. That officer knows whom to call to request potential crime-solving footage. 

To be clear, Morgan said, the police will not have access to the footage. This program only provides a map showing the locations of cameras and details about the system itself. Based on this information, officers may contact the owners of nearby surveillance systems.

"As the evidence technician, I can tell you the evidence room has a lot of stored footage that has been used to solve crimes and bring criminals to justice," Morgan said. "It's extremely common in retail outlets that deal with shoplifters. This is a simple way to make a big difference in your neighborhoods when they experience crime."

To register, please visit https://www.sweethomeor.gov/police/page/civic-eye on the city's website and fill out the form.