The LaGrange Police Department announced Monday that it is looking to partner with the community in fighting crime, according to a press release from the City of LaGrange. 

Locals can choose to register their private camera, which will give officers an opportunity to identify privately-owned video recording systems located in areas of crime when needed.

The press release said that the police department will not have access to the cameras, but when you register a camera, the LPD will know who to contact for camera footage if a crime occurs.

“Throughout our country and the world, video evidence has proven extremely beneficial in solving crime and prosecuting criminals. The LaGrange Police Department has utilized this technology in its patrol vehicles for more than 20 years and has used on-body cameras for its officers for nearly a decade,” said LPD Sgt. William Nelson, in the release. “The reality is criminals don’t typically commit crime in the presence of police.” 

Investigators will contact camera owners to request video footage of a crime that occurred near that location, according to the press release.

“As such, our officers routinely work to identify the owners and operators of privately-owned video recording systems that are located in the areas of the criminal incidents and work with the property owners to review and collect any recordings relevant to the crime being investigated,” Nelson said. “The help from the community will help us catch criminals quick.”

To learn more about the registration process and to register a camera go to analytics-api.commandcentral.com/camera_registration#/login.