KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — As home security cameras become more common across Knoxville neighborhoods, the Knoxville Police Department is asking residents to voluntarily register those cameras through a new program designed to help investigators identify potential evidence more quickly after a crime.
The Connect Knoxville Camera Registry is part of the department’s new Real Time Information Center, which officials say is intended to improve communication between investigators and the community. Rather than giving police direct access to private security cameras, the registry simply lets investigators know where cameras are located and how to contact their owners if footage may help an investigation.
Knoxville Police’s new Real Time Information Center operational: How the public can connect cameras
“It lets us know that a camera’s there at a location, who the camera owner is and how we can get in touch with them,” Knoxville Police Department Communications Manager Scott Erland said. “We do not have real-time access to that camera.”
According to KPD, registering a camera takes less than a minute. Homeowners provide basic contact information and the location of the camera so investigators can reach out if a crime occurs nearby…