EPD calls on residents to register cameras for help in crimes

Crimes can occur at anytime and protecting one’s home is always a matter of safety.

Now, Eureka Police Department want to combine home surveillance cameras with their crime-solving work in what’s called “Rims” – Records Information Management Software.

“Citizens can go on and register their cameras. It does not give the police department access to their cameras or anything like that. It’s completely voluntary,” Public Information Officer Brittany Powell said.

“Once registered, we have contact information for residents with cameras in their areas, that way we know how to reach them.”

Cameras can range from Ring doorbell cameras, surveillance systems or web cameras inside the home

If a crime happens in an area where there is a registered camera, the police would then ask for the video.

“A little over a hundred cameras have been registered with us. Registrations come and go as people move or change addresses,” Powell said. “The more cameras we have registered, the more people we have to contact and solve crimes.”

This can help provide video evidence and insight into crimes as they occurred, being a key component of investigations.

“There’s so many devices out now that oftentimes, we’re able to track the movements of a suspect in a violent crime or in a theft type crime situation from an individual,” Eureka Police Chief Todd Jarvis said. “It gives us the opportunity to track movements, oftentimes, we make a case based on this evidence that’s shared with us. Oftentimes, someone will deny even being somewhere and we’ll say ‘that’s funny because we had you one door down.’”

Those curious about registering can head EPD’s website and register