The Dubuque Police Department is asking residents to add their personal security cameras to a database that could help investigations in residential areas.
Lieutenant Ted McClimon says traffic cameras have helped solve crimes ranging from small traffic violations to murder cases. His department has access to over 1,000 cameras in commercial areas and is now looking to expand into its blind spots.
“You can always go back to a time or a case, or multiple cases, where we’re just missing that one piece of information. If this house would’ve had a surveillance system… What we’re hoping for is now, with this extra tool, maybe we can fill some of those holes.”
McClimon says registering your security camera will not give Dubuque police access to your footage. If a crime is committed in your neighborhood, officers will need permission to view any footage from personal security cameras, even if the camera is registered.
Since the program launched last week, McClimon says over 60 people have registered their personal security cameras.
