Pueblo businesses and citizens can now register their private cameras with the Pueblo Police Department’s Real-Time Crime Center to potentially assist with criminal investigations.
The department on December 15 announced the first phase of its Community Connect program – an expansion of the Real-Time Crime Center (RTCC) launched in July.
Pueblo Police Chief Chris Noeller stated in a news release that the program furthers the department’s efforts “to find innovative ways to collaborate with the community and fight crime.”
The new program is a “public-private community partnership involving police, citizens and local businesses, combining real-time crime fighting and community policing with state-of-the-art technology solutions from Genetec Inc.” officials wrote in the release.
How your participation can help Pueblo PD solve crime
Citizens and companies can choose different levels of the program. The first level, for which camera registration was launched on December 16, only provides the RTCC with the location of the participating company or citizen.
The private cameras will not be continuously monitored by crime center staff, but program participants can electronically submit images to the RTCC to assist with criminal investigations.
If a crime is reported in the vicinity of a registered camera, the camera owner will receive an email from an investigating officer requesting video footage of the incident if it was captured by his camera.
“Quality video footage of incidents has proven invaluable in responding to and solving crime,” Pueblo PD officials stated in the news release. “Providing a mechanism for the Pueblo Police Department to quickly request and receive video from citizens and businesses will result in greater efficiency and effectiveness.”
A second phase of the program, launching in spring 2025, will include the integration of live video feeds, allowing citizens and businesses to share live video feeds from their cameras directly with the RTCC.
“Reduced crime rates create safer, more welcoming spaces for citizens, visitors and businesses alike and are key to revitalizing neighborhoods across our great city,” said Pueblo Mayor Heather Graham.
To register your camera or for more information, visit pueblo.us/2998/City-of-Pueblo-Community-Connect-Program.
More on Pueblo police and crime: The Pueblo man arrested on December 12 allegedly had more than 200 child sex abuse materials on the phone
Chieftain Editor Zach Hillstrom can be reached at zhillstrom@gannett.com or on X, at @ZachHillstrom. Support local news and subscribe to the Pueblo Chieftain at Subscribe.chieftain.com.
This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Your private security camera could help Pueblo police solve crimes