Albany PD begins camera registry program

ALBANY, Ga. – The Albany Police Department is asking for people across the city to sign up for their camera registry program. It’s in an effort to improve police response time to calls and tracking suspects.

The camera registry came out of a major need.

APD Crime Analyst, David Sparks told us Friday afternoon that while the city does have surveillance cameras in busy areas, at times, it’s not enough.

“Even though we have cameras throughout the city we generally have them in areas that are basically open to the public. They’re not residential. They’re basically crossroads, high-traffic areas, places that are public access,” David Sparks, Crime Analyst, Albany Police Department.

Sparks says that the registry would allow police to conduct investigations with those reporting a crime without bringing a major police presence to a neighborhood.

“In case that there’s an incident that happens either in front of your residence, or near your residence, that your camera may have caught; this allows us to go back to that registry, and identify that ‘hey there’s a camera here’ we would be able to contact you without coming to your door,” said Sparks.

The Albany Police Department is looking for those who have doorbell cameras, and home security cameras to volunteer to join the registry so they can link up to the department’s FUSUS Surveillance System.

And, the police want people to know that registering comes at no cost.

“There’s no physical interaction with the police department and your camera if you are registering. We are just asking for your location, your address, your phone number and your email and your permission for us to have that information,” said Sparks.

But, sparks wants to reiterate that the privacy of those who sign up for the registry will be guaranteed.

“Once we make the registry, again for residential registry, it’s a database that’s only going to be seen here at the police department. Nobody else is going to get to see this,” said Sparks.

While some may have concern for their privacy, the Albany Police wants to assure those who opt into the registry that they will not only keep their privacy but wont have to live in fear after calling in a suspect.

If you are interested in entering the Albany Police’s camera registry, you can sign up at connectalbanyga.Org

Brian Roche reporting.

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