The Owen Sound Police Service (OSPS) is urging the community to take part in CamSafe — a voluntary camera registry program designed to enhance community safety and support police investigations.
Launched in collaboration with police services across the province, CamSafe empowers residents, business owners, and property managers to voluntarily register their security cameras online at CamSafe.ca. The registry helps police quickly identify where cameras are located in the vicinity of a crime or incident, potentially providing vital leads during investigations.
"We encourage Owen Sound residents and businesses equipped with security cameras to register on CamSafe,” said Chief Craig Ambrose. “Your participation is critical in supporting OSPS’ efforts, and by working together, we can make our community safer and more secure for everyone. For more information, I urge everyone to visit CamSafe.ca.”
While CamSafe allows police to access camera location information and the contact details of owners, privacy remains a top priority. The program does not grant police direct access to live feeds or recorded footage. Instead, officers can reach out to registered camera owners if an incident occurs nearby, requesting access to potentially relevant footage.
Participants retain complete control over their accounts, with the ability to add, update, or remove information at any time. A media release from police said registering is simple and secure, requiring basic details such as name, address, number of cameras, and their directions.
Security cameras have been shown to deter criminal activity and serve as invaluable investigative tools. Beyond crime prevention, they can assist in locating missing persons and safeguarding neighbourhoods.