Philly police seek more participants in SafeCam program

The Philadelphia Police Department is asking for some electronic assistance in fighting crime. 

 The program, called SafeCam, involves homeowners and business owners with cameras and a wish to help solve crimes. Police are seeking more participants to register their locations with the city so, in the event of a crime, police will know where cameras are keeping a constant vigil.

The information will remain confidential, said Officer Jillian Russell, a department spokeswoman.

“You can register your camera … it only takes about 10 minutes,” she said. “You provide basic information, for example where the camera is located. And there’s no cost for registering your camera.”

Once the camera is registered, police could ask to tap into your system and download the video to help with their investigation of any crime in your area, Russell said.

“In two years, we’ve gotten 200 arrests based on information we’ve retrieved from people registered with SafeCam,” she said.

About 600 homeowners and businesses have registered cameras. You can find more information on the police department website.