Some Maine Towns Asking Residents To “Register” Security Cameras

These days, internet connected security cameras are literally EVERYWHERE.  Having come down substantially in price in recent years, they are typically within the budget of any home owner.  And, they have several uses.

Of course, they provide security for the property and its residents.  They are a deterrent and they can capture images of the perps should someone break into the home or business.

In many cases, depending on where they are mounted, also capture the goings on in a neighborhood.  Yes, they can capture that funny video of a dog taking his owner on a Nantucket Sleigh Ride (look it up), but they can also catch potentially suspicious behavior.

Because of this, some Maine police departments are now asking residents to register their security cameras.

According to News Center Maine, police departments in Berwick, Old Orchard Beach, and Lisbon have started asking the people who live in those towns to let them know if they have security cameras capable of recording the streets outside their homes.

The idea is that the database will make it easier for police to obtain security camera footage of suspects or criminal incidents.  Instead of having to go door to door to find a home or business that may have footage of an incident that took place at location X, all they have to do is go to the database and match up the location of cameras with the location where an incident happened.

Police say they will need your permission before they can actually look at the footage.

According to the article, while we are not sure about the Lisbon and OOB participation, the Berwick Police Department has signed up about 20 people for the program.

Of course, not everyone is happy with the idea.  Despite the fact that police need your permission to obtain the video, some people still see this as an overreach by law enforcement.

What is your opinion on the subject?  If your local police department asked you to register your cameras, would you do it?  Let us know your thoughts by sending us a message through our app or on Facebook.