BOCA RATON, Fla. — A new crime fighting tool for homeowners and detectives in Boca Raton rolled out on Monday, and it's all centered around Ring doorbell cameras.
In a new partnership with Ring, the Boca Raton Police Department can now get surveillance video of crimes from Ring cameras.
WPTV's Merris Badcock got an exclusive look on Monday at how it all works.
When a crime happens in a neighborhood, police will send a blast alert to Ring customers in that area via e-mail or the Ring app to see if those homeowners will share video from their Ring cameras.
"We have no access to your cameras whatsoever unless you give us permission," said Mark Economou, Public Information Officer for Boca Raton police. "That camera where the break-in happened might not have gotten a good shot of the person, but the camera three houses down may have gotten a clear shot of the person."
Ring officials say Boca Raton has one of the highest concentrations of Ring cameras in the country, making this tool an easy way to crowdsource evidence.
"Instead of going door-to-door, knocking on doors, somebody’s at work, we can’t get in touch with them, we can now do it electronically," said Economou.
Boca Raton police aren’t the only ones using this tool. WPTV confirms Jupiter police started using this program on Friday, and the St. Lucie County Sheriff's Office has been using it for awhile.
To download the Ring app, click here.
We are excited to join Neighbors by @Ring, a neighborhood watch app that sends crime & safety alerts from your neighbors & @bocapolice. Text ‘bocaratonfl’ to 555888 or click https://t.co/HLFiq2pyYP to download the app for free & see what’s happening in your neighborhood. pic.twitter.com/hiAAvAK2tI
— Boca Raton Police (@BocaPolice) June 24, 2019