A 100% voluntary program could give the Whitecourt RCMP more eyes in the community

Nowadays, it isn’t uncommon to see a doorbell camera or home-based security systems featuring cameras. With cameras protecting properties throughout the community, the RCMP created a program to link them with camera-owning homeowners, and the Whitecourt detachment has joined it. The completely voluntary program called CAPTURE (Community Assisted Policing Through Use of Recorded Evidence) enables residents to register their cameras with RCMP.

CAPTURE creates a database of security cameras, such as doorbell cameras and those stationed on homes or garages and compiles a community map with camera locations. Each camera listed is voluntarily added by the homeowner. The RCMP has zero access to the camera without explicit say from the homeowner, even after signing up. “They cannot view footage or randomly pull up someone’s camera, live when they want. They can only view footage given to them willingly by the camera owner. Even once signed up, the police must contact a registered camera owner and ask permission to see a specific block of time from their footage. Every step of the way is voluntary, and the camera owner is in complete control of what they provide RCMP,” explained Tina Prodaniuk, Crime Prevention Coordinator for the Town of Whitecourt.

Knowing where there are cameras could be all the difference in an investigation. Rather than go door to door seeking information after a crime has occurred, the database speeds up the process and lets officers know who to reach out to first. So far, sixteen people have signed up for the program, and Prodaniuk hopes to see that number jump. Companies can also sign up, as many have security systems in place. “One of the things we want to encourage is that large companies that have, say, copper wire theft in their areas, that if they have cameras, to sign up. A lot of the time, when these companies have these things happen to them, they don’t want to report it anymore because they feel that nothing gets done. So, this is an online way to send us some footage that might be helpful in investigations.”

The program has been quite successful in Red Deer. “There’s been many successful investigations done with the CAPTURE Program there. We are hoping to advertise, not names of people as that’s confidential, but we would like to share with the community when it is helpful,” said Prodaniuk. The program is also being rolled out division-wide in Saskatchewan.

When a homeowner signs up, they are asked very few questions. “All we ask for is the camera’s location, where it’s pointing and an email and phone number for contact,” said Prodaniuk. “You can go to www.whitecourtcapture.ca and register your cameras on the website; only the RCMP has access to the database. The cameras are still yours. They are only accessed by the people who own them, and the RCMP will ask permission to see certain times if they need the footage. The idea is to make sure that we know where there are eyes in our community.”

Having eyes in more places can help deter crime. Those who sign up will receive a cling that they can put on their windows, letting people know that the homeowner is part of the program. “It says that you are being videotaped, so move on. You can stick it on your window if you choose.” If asked for camera footage, residents can decide to upload the clip directly on the website, or they can request a jump drive from the RCMP. “It’s a program that is a tool for the RCMP to investigate crime. They will not come to seize your camera or take things from you. It’s a voluntary program, and you can say no at any time and remove your camera location information at any time too.”

Prodaniuk said the most significant thing is getting residents involved in helping make their neighbourhoods and community safer. “We want the community to be part of the solution and help solve some of the crimes going on, which are mostly property crimes. The RCMP could use that assistance from the community, and this is one way to do that. The people signed up so far are from a wide variety of neighbourhoods which is good. We also have a company signed up. We want to increase these numbers.”

Given that the police can’t be everywhere, having footage accessible puts the power in the resident’s hands. If a crime happens down the street, there’s a chance the person responsible will continue seeking out opportunities in the neighbourhood. If multiple residents had registered cameras, the RCMP could ask the registered residents for specific footage from their camera log and potentially get information they would not be able to get otherwise. The more registered cameras, the larger the areas that become protected and the greater the deterrent to would-be thieves.

Homeowners in Woodlands County who have cameras are also encouraged to sign up, as grabbing a licence plate off a vehicle travelling in the area around the time of an incident would considerably boost crime solving. Prodaniuk suggests county residents affix game cameras to a tree or something that could see license plates as vehicles drive by. “Sometimes faces are hard to see within the glares, but the license plates come out beautifully in many of those. Sometimes it works and something it doesn’t, but that’s the nature of the beast,” she said.

Prodaniuk said she hopes residents will see how impactful the program could be and voluntarily register their cameras. “There are many gaps on the map; the more people that register, the better. We talk about good neighbours, and maybe being a good neighbour is having a camera that could be used, voluntarily, to help an investigation, which in the end helps the whole neighbourhood.”

To learn more about the program, visit www.whitecourtcapture.ca or contact Tina at the Whitecourt Detachment at 780-779-5900.