Baker City Police launch voluntary crime prevention camera program
By Joe Hathaway on Wednesday, August 7th, 2024 in Northeastern Oregon News
BAKER CITY — The Baker City Police Department has introduced a new initiative aimed at enhancing public safety and solving crimes more efficiently. The Baker City Crime Prevention Camera Program invites residents and business owners to register their surveillance cameras with the police department, enabling officers to quickly identify potential suspects in the event of a crime.
Participation in the program is entirely voluntary. Those who choose to register their cameras will provide the police with valuable information that will be used solely for official purposes. Chief Ty Duby emphasized that the collected data will remain confidential and will not be disclosed to the public.
“The aim of this program is to foster cooperation between the police and the community to reduce crime and enhance public safety,” said Chief Duby. “It’s a great idea that came up recently, and I believe it will significantly assist our investigations.”
Chief Duby says that the department often spends considerable time canvassing neighborhoods for cameras during investigations. Knowing in advance which locations have cameras could expedite this process.
“Whenever we have an incident, whether it’s a major event like a shooting or a smaller theft, one of the main things we do is canvass neighborhoods for cameras,” said Chief Duby. “If we know which houses have cameras, it makes it easier for us to reach out directly to those individuals, saving time and resources.”
The program aims to address concerns about privacy by ensuring that all participation is voluntary and that the information provided will only be used for police investigations.
“We want to make it clear that this is not about collecting information for any other purposes,” said Chief Duby. “It’s about making our investigations more efficient and effective, and ultimately keeping our community safer.”
Residents and business owners can register their cameras by filling out an online form on the Baker City Police Department’s website. The department plans to keep the information in-house, with the possibility of extending access to dispatch in the future to further streamline the process during late-night incidents.
For more information and to register your camera, visit the Baker City Police Department’s website.
