Kendall Co. Sheriff Partners With Ring 'Neighbors' App

OSWEGO, IL — The Kendall County Sheriff's Office is partnering with home-and-neighborhood security platform Ring to help share crime and safety information with county residents. The sheriff's office will join Ring's "Neighbors" app, which lets neighbors and law enforcement share information on crime incidents, safety tips and other data.

Ring is a camera and internet-enabled doorbell system that can record and transmit information on unlawful activity. The system also has a free app called 'Neighbors," which connects the camera systems, allows for the sharing of crime information and allows for a platform for neighbors to discuss neighborhood safety. Anyone can use the Neighbors app, even if they don't own a Ring device.

Kendall County will join the platform to share and also collect local crime activity, the sheriff's office announced Wednesday. The platform will allow the department to disseminate helpful crime and safety information, while also being helpful in police investigations.

Law enforcement can only access content that residents make public on the Neighbors app, and do not have access to individual Ring device feeds, the department said. Nationwide, the device has been helpful in catching package thieves and stopping burglaries, among other benefits, the sheriff's office said.

Police agencies around the region have been joining the Ring platform as a means of communicating public safety information to the country. Will County joined this summer, and Joliet police joined in the spring.

Here's how to join the Neighbors platform:

• The Neighbors app is available for free on iOS, Android and FireOS devices. Residents can text ‘JOIN TODAY’ to 555888 from your smartphone to receive a link to download the Neighbors app.
• Opt-in to join your neighborhood.
• Customize the geographic area you want to receive notifications for (users must verify where they are located and cannot participate in other neighborhoods).
• Receive real-time alerts from your neighbors, local law enforcement and the Ring team that inform of crime and safety alerts as they happen.
• View local crime and safety posts via a live feed or interactive map.
• Share text updates, photos and videos taken on any device, including Ring’s home security devices.