Palos Park Police Seeking Community Partners, Cameras To Curb Crime

PALOS PARK, IL — As Palos Park police officials attempt to find new and innovative ways to curb crime in the community, the department is seeking assistance from residents who may be willing to allow police to use video surveillance footage from home cameras for future investigations.

Police officials recently announced a community Block Watch program in which Palos Park residents would partner with police to help keep neighborhoods safe. Police officials said that video footage helps to speed up investigations by allowing officers to prioritize where to start looking for evidence, police officials said.

Investigators have found that when detectives start canvassing an area after a crime has been committed, home video security cameras may have captured footage of a suspect or vehicle. Now, police officials are asking residents to register their home security cameras with the police department, which will allow officers to review footage to see if evidence may have been captured that can be used in the subsequent investigation.

“We see it as another tool in our toolbox in our community crime suppression efforts,” Palos Park Police Chief Joe Miller said. “The goal is to improve our response capabilities and prevention by having the availability of businesses and residences to share any pertinent existing surveillance accessible to officers only if a criminal investigation is being conducted in the area. This program can play a vital role in crime prevention.”

There is no charge to participate in this program and program participants will be kept confidential. The program is part of a national initiative being used by departments across the country, Miller said.

Residents interested in the Block Watch program or anyone having questions concerning this program, please contact Commander Chris Hughes at (708) 671-3770. The link to register a home security camera can be found here.

Only accessible to law enforcement personnel, this voluntary camera registration program will not have access to any cameras or systems but only will document their locations and the contact information provided by the owner, police said.

“A camera-based crime prevention collaborative initiative program for both our businesses community and residents partners with us to deter and solve a crime when owners consent to share recordings with the police department to help gather evidence and solve a crime,” Miller said.