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LAW ENFORCEMENT APD offers security camera registration program Trio of initiatives includes feedback form, access to policy manual Comment By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings Posted May. 23, 2016 at 12:01 AM By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings Posted May. 23, 2016 at 12:01 AM » RELATED CONTENT • Ashland police chief works on untangling assumptions from deductions... • Culture of Peace: Ashland police department partners for peace... • New chief answers community questions • O'Meara confirmed as new Ashland police chief » Social News Three new programs recently implemented by the Ashland Police Department are intended to make the department more accessible to members of the community. All three initiatives are on the department website at bit.ly/coaapd . One of the programs allow owners of businesses and private residences alike to register their surveillance cameras with the police department. Registration does not allow the department to view images from the camera, it only gives them the knowledge that the camera exists. The idea is to be able to have that much more access to criminal surveillance, according to Chief of Police Tighe O’Meara. “If we have a robust database of security cameras, we’ll have more evidence towards a crime,” said O’Meara. According to O’Meara, the program is modeled after a similar program in Medford. Medford has 115 registered surveillance cameras, both business and residential, according to Kevin Walruff, patrol commander at Medford police department. Medford has used the surveillance registration system for a year and has noticed an impact on the efficiency of solving crimes. “Say the bank robbery on Thursday, we were able to gain intelligence on the subject from nearby business surveillance cameras,” said Walruff. “Anytime we can grab video evidence is always going to help us. We can get it out to the public and that helps draw additional tips.” The "Security Camera Registration" link is near the bottom of the left-hand column on the APD website homepage. A second APD initiative is a new “Police Feedback” feature on the department website. It allows members of the community to register compliments and concerns regarding the department. “It’s another way to stay engaged with the community,” said O’Meara. “We want to make it as easy as possible to let us know if we’re getting something right or if we’re doing something wrong.” The online form allows users to indicate they’d like to “Praise an officer” or “Make a complaint or share a concern.” It asks for the name, if known, of the officer or car number she or she was driving, the date, time, location and an explanation of the circumstances. Entering a name is optional; feedback may be offered anonymously. The third initiative will be the department publishing the Ashland Police Department Policy Manual on the department web page later this month. “Making it available to the public will help demonstrate our openness to the public in our operations, and will help the community members understand how the department works,” according to a release issued by the police department. “I’m hoping to continue to build the relationship the police department has with the community,” said O’Meara. “We want to be as accessible and transparent as possible, because it’s the right thing to do.” Email Tidings intern Caitlin Fowlkes at [email protected]. By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings DailyTidings.com By Caitlin Fowlkes For the Tidings Posted May. 23, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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