The Western Australian police force has encouraged members of the community to sign up for its state-wide integrated CCTV network, Cam-Map, to help police investigate serious crime.
Police Minister, Michelle Roberts, joined police in encouraging more members of the community to sign up to Cam-Map WA, the integrated network of public and private CCTV cameras.
The comprehensive database of CCTV cameras monitoring public spaces gives police a technological edge when investigating serious crime, because the register acts as a virtual map of CCTV camera locations.
Cam-Map WA replaces the former ‘Blue Iris’ system which is now defunct.
Police have spent the past 18 months completely redesigning the register interface and improving its functionality and capability.
The register will greatly assist police efforts to respond to and investigate crimes, and gather evidence and intelligence.
So far, 404 residents have registered their CCTV assets, along with 44 local government authorities and 240 schools throughout Western Australia.
The collection, use and storage of CCTV images and footage from the register will be governed by strict guidelines and procedures to ensure it is only used for its intended purpose.
Police Minister, Michelle Roberts, said, CCTV technology is a valuable tool that helps police investigate serious crime, as well as help prevent crime.
“Once completed, Cam-Map WA will effectively be a one-stop shop of the State’s CCTV assets,” Ms Roberts said.
“It will help police locate footage faster as they investigate crimes and it will increase their responsiveness to emergency situations and critical incidents as they are happening.
“We have numerous CCTV systems in the community, many of which have cameras facing public areas.
“So it makes sense for police to be able to access data from those cameras in the investigation of crime.”
