Community Camera Program

home RETURN HOME

You're on Camera

Community Camera Program

As a result of technological advancements and the cost of new technology decreasing, many people in our community and neighboring communities have turned to personal surveillance systems for a sense of security in the places they live and work.  When a crime occurs nearby, many people are not aware their surveillance system may have captured information that could help solve a crime, investigate a suspicious incident, locate a missing person, and more!  Through the past few years, the Menasha Police Department has utilized photos and video captured by personal surveillance systems to solve crimes and apprehend subjects who have been suspected of committing a crime which keeps our community safer.  We are now proud to announce the creation of the Community Camera Program.

What does this mean and how does it work?

When a crime occurs, time is of the essence and it is important to gather as much information in the shortest amount of time possible.  If it is determined significant evidence could have been captured with surveillance cameras, our officers commonly will “canvas” a neighborhood by knocking on every door possible to check for surveillance systems which may be time consuming.  The goal of the Community Camera Program is to create a confidential database for officers to look up who, in the area a crime was committed, may have recorded evidence to help solve a crime or identify a suspect.  Within the database will be immediate contact information for the owners of the surveillance systems where criminal activity may have been captured.  By registering, you would be contacted by members of the City of Menasha Police Department only if there is a criminal incident within the vicinity of your registered surveillance system.  Officers will not have access to your system, only you will have control of your system.

Registration

If you would like to tell us you have surveillance cameras and would allow officers to contact you should a crime occur in or near where your cameras are installed, we kindly ask you register by filling out the registration form HERE.  If you wish to update your information after already submitting a form, please contact Officer Vassar directly by Email.

Terms of Use

By registering your security camera with the City of Menasha Police Department you understand your personal information may be disclosed subject to an open record request. The Menasha Police Department will not post your personal information online, however if a public records request for the information is made, that information may be disclosed pursuant to the request.  If there is a crime, an incident or a disturbance, in your neighborhood, the Menasha Police Department will look for security cameras that potentially may have captured evidence of the activity. The Menasha Police Department may contact you and request access to your camera to view the footage.  You may always deny a request to view your camera or footage. If there is evidence of a crime or law violation or other incident on your camera footage, you may potentially be called as a witness in the case.

By completing the form and clicking the "Submit" button you acknowledge you have read over the Terms of Use of the Menasha Police Department Community Camera Program registration and accept the terms.