Oldham County Police asking for the public's help with video surveillance program

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Oldham County Police is asking for the public's help when it comes to getting video of crimes.

The department is asking Oldham County residents with privately-owned home or business surveillance camera systems to volunteer for a Community Camera Program. Through the program, homeowners can register their home surveillance cameras on the police department's website. This will allow police to create a database and see who has cameras in various areas throughout the county.

"It can actually be any type of camera system that we're able to record the data off of," said Maj. Neil Johnson with Oldham County Police. "Anything — a Ring, a Nest, even a regular one — as long as there's some way for you to record video for us and us be able to copy that video."

The department's website says:

"This is very helpful to us, as officers respond to criminal incidents, they may be able to see something useful on your security camera footage which may help apprehend/convict a criminal. You would only be contacted if there is a criminal incident in the vicinity of your camera as indicated by your registration."

Police announced the program on the department's Facebook page Tuesday. So far, it's been well received in the community.

"Within an hour of us putting it on Facebook, we had 30 people sign up for it," Johnson said.

Amanda Haberer, a homeowner in Oldham County, told WDRB News she feels like this program adds an extra blanket of protection to her home's security system.

"It makes me feel safer to be in this area — just because I feel like it would keep more crime at bay — because they know that they have eyes on them at all times," she said.

For police, that's part of the goal: not only to obtain video of crimes but also to let would-be criminals know someone is watching.

For homeowners who think the program might go too far, police want to reassure them.

"We absolutely in no way shape or form have access to the camera," Johnson said. "Even if you sign up for this and allow us, we can not access the camera. This is just saying that you are willing to burn a copy of that individual incident and share it with us."

To learn about the terms and conditions of the program or to register, click here.