Video cameras are one of the best methods for detecting and apprehending criminals. Police regularly ask public organizations, businesses, and individuals to share video camera footage that might aid in crime-solving efforts.

The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Community Video Partnership program works on a voluntary basis with property owners who have private video security systems that record public areas – streets, sidewalks, parking lots, etc. Police who respond to burglaries, assaults, and other crimes will be able to see a list of nearby locations with cameras so they can quickly contact registered video partners that may have captured footage related to the incident.

We encourage businesses and residents to register with the Sheriff’s Office any security cameras that view and record public areas in the county. Working together, we can make El Paso County a safer place to live and do business.

How does the program work?

Property owners who register a security camera would only be contacted by the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office if a criminal incident takes place in the vicinity of that camera.  Sheriff’s Office personnel may ask camera owners to review or provide recorded footage related to the date and time of an incident. The Sheriff’s Office could use the information gathered to apprehend and prosecute the criminals involved.

How do I register my camera(s)?

Protect your family, your business, and our community by registering to be part of the Community Video Partnership program. Registration is simple and only takes a few minutes to complete. Submit the registration form online or if necessary, fill out this PDF form, print it and mail to: El Paso County Sheriff’s Office 27 E. Vermijo Ave. Colorado Springs, CO 80903 or save the pdf and email to [email protected].

On the registration form, you’ll be asked to provide contact information as well as basic information about the location, direction, and recording quality of your cameras. Once you’ve submitted the registration form, a member of the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office will follow up for confirmation. There is no fee to register and your information will be kept confidential. You may unsubscribe from the program at any time.

What about privacy and security concerns?

The program is not intended for active surveillance or checking on what citizens are up to in their neighborhoods. Contact information provided by our partners will be housed in a secure database. The El Paso County Sheriff’s Office will have no direct access to any private video systems through the Community Video Partnership program and must ask the owner to view or make a copy of any footage. The Sheriff’s Office may request footage containing, or related to, criminal activity for use as evidence during any stage of a criminal proceeding.

I do not have a camera system yet. What should I look for?

• Full coverage of all public right of way and private parking areas
• Minimum camera resolution of 640x840 pixels. 1280x960 pixels is preferred.
• Digital (network-based) cameras or the ability to connect analog cameras to a network
• Support for MPEG or H.264 format
• Low-light capability, auto iris and auto focus

Questions?

If you have questions about the Community Video Partnership program, contact the Crime Prevention Coordinator at 719-520-7151 or [email protected]