The Beverly Hills Police Department (BHPD) has announced a new public safety program entitled “Beverly Hills Connect.” The initiative aims to strengthen the city’s public safety efforts by leveraging the use of technology to foster stronger community collaboration.
Residents and business owners can voluntarily participate in Beverly Hills Connect through two different avenues. The first is by registering their privately owned, public-facing security cameras online at beverlyhills.org/bhconnect. Registration is free and does not provide police with direct access to your live feed. Rather, investigators will be able to quickly identify potential sources of video evidence and request footage from specific camera owners near a crime scene, saving time and mitigating the need for door-to-door canvassing.
The second option for participation in Beverly Hills Connect requires a device to be purchased to integrate your cameras with BHPD’s Real Time Watch Center. Access to live feeds will allow investigators to gain immediate insight into events unfolding during an incident, in real-time. This will enable better coordination of police resources, leading to a more effective response.
Speaking to the Courier, Lieutenant Executive Officer Kevin Orth said, “We have been exploring this technology and hope it will bridge the gap with our community members, residents and businesses. It will bring their cameras onto our network so we’re able to view them in cases of emergent calls or progress.”
“Beverly Hills Connect underscores our commitment to working hand-in-hand with the community to create a safer, more connected city. This innovative program empowers residents to actively contribute to safety,” said BHPD Chief of Police Mark Stainbrook.
Mayor Lester Friedman added, “Public safety has always been a top priority of mine. This program will further strengthen BHPD’s partnership with residents and business owners, providing a valuable tool to hold criminals accountable and reinforce our commitment to keeping Beverly Hills a safe and secure community.”
