Civilian Camera Program

The West Chester Borough Police Department is proud to announce a new Community /Police Partnership Program. The Police Department has created a voluntary registry of business’ and homeowners’ security camera systems that could be used to assist the Police Department solve crime in the community.  

The West Chester Civilian Cam Program maps out the locations of the cameras, so officers can find possible evidence faster. The directory does NOT allow officers to tap into private cameras and would only indicate where the cameras are located. By registering your camera with us, the Police Department can quickly identify nearby cameras that may have captured criminal activity. After registering your camera, you would only be contacted by the West Chester Police Department if there was a law enforcement related need in the vicinity of your security camera. Police personnel, if necessary, may request to view your camera footage in order to assist in the investigation. The directory will be confidential and only accessible to law enforcement. Citizens will be asked to complete the Digital Recording Consent form (41.5.11) making the recording the property of WCPD.

Many business owners and residents currently operate surveillance systems at their businesses and/or homes. As crimes occur nearby, they are not always aware that their system may have captured information that could help solve the crime, thus keeping our community safer. In turn, the police are also not always aware who may or may not have this potentially vital information. The Police Department is requesting residents and businesses across town to register their privately owned surveillance camera systems.   

Using the geographic locations of the registered cameras, the West Chester Police Department will be able to directly e‐mail or call citizens in an area in which a crime occurred. A standard e‐mail may ask the citizen to check their video surveillance system for a specific date and time for video capturing a suspect, getaway car or a crime. If the citizen finds any video evidence, they can contact the Police Department to make arrangements for video retrieval. Installing video surveillance is a great example of community‐police partnerships and is something we highly value as a police agency serving our community.   

Interested citizens can register their cameras by filling out a short application. The applications can also be picked up at our police department. The West Chester Borough Police Department is committed to our partnership with the community and believes this is yet another powerful solution in fighting crime.  

For more information, contact the WCPD Community Outreach Unit at 610‐696‐2700, or e‐mail  Corporal Harry O’Neill at honeill@west‐chester.com.

Civilian Camera Registration Form