SUNDRE – Local Mounties are among the latest to jump aboard the Alberta RCMP’s voluntary surveillance camera registry program.
Known as CAPTURE – an acronym that stands for Community Assisted Policing Through the Use of Recorded Evidence – the initiative has experienced success in many other communities across the province, said Sgt. Trent Sperlie, the Sundre RCMP detachment’s commander.
“Anybody’s allowed to register their cameras on that central database, and then we can access that just to see what cameras are available,” Sperlie told the Albertan on Friday, Feb. 9 in response to follow-up questions to a presser issued the day prior to promote the program and encourage uptake.
Residents as well as business owners who already have video surveillance systems installed have the option to sign up at no cost.
“This initiative helps officers quickly track down video evidence in ongoing criminal investigations within Sundre and nearby RCMP jurisdictions,” reads part of the presser, going onto add that the “program allows a person or business to voluntarily upload a portion of video if requested, which then allows officers to evaluate the video footage before deciding to ask for a copy.”
There is absolutely no obligation for anyone to join the registry as the program is entirely voluntary, and consent can also be withdrawn at any time.
Video footage on a camera also remains the property of the owner, and the RCMP will not have live access to anyone’s feed.
“We will only ask for videos already recorded,” states the presser, adding program participants can also share “video footage through the website for an officer to view before they decide if the video will help in their investigation.”
As well, officers cannot download any video files and are allowed only to view the footage. But an officer may provide a USB thumb drive if a participant opts to provide the police with a copy of the video.
“This strategy is another way the Alberta RCMP is working with communities to help solve crime faster, together,” reads the presser.
Asked what kind of local uptake there had so far been in Sundre, the sergeant was not immediately able to confirm.
Responding to whether the program had perhaps already proven useful in assisting with any local investigations, the sergeant said it was still too early.
“I can say that the program itself hasn’t specifically been used in Sundre, yet,” he said, quickly adding, “But video surveillance has proven valuable in investigations.”
Footage offers crucial details including vehicle makes and models as well as suspect descriptions, he said.
“In fact, camera surveillance was critical in identifying a suspect in a Fountain Tire break-and-enter,” he said.
The timestamp included on video surveillance footage is also a helpful clue in compiling a timeline of events that can help crack a case.
“But we do have to be careful with that,” he said.
“We definitely ask people that do have cameras set up – especially if they’re going to register them on the program – is to make sure that their time and date is correct on them because that can really create some confusion in the investigation.
“It could just cause us to spend a lot of time trying to really put a timeline together if timestamps aren’t correct.”
Visit www.ruralalbertacapture.ca to learn more about the program or to register.
Anyone who voluntarily chooses to sign up and create an account will be asked to provide contact information as well as the video cameras through the secure website.
That information is not available to the public, and officers who require anything further will get in touch by way of the contact information provided.
