Neighbourhood Support – Safety through shared surveillance

Community Cam, a voluntary not-for-profit platform, is creating a powerful network of neighbourhood CCTV systems that’s proving invaluable for police. Recognising the importance of this innovative initiative, local police and Hibiscus Coast Neighbourhood Support (HCNS) is actively promoting Community Cam throughout our region as part of their commitment to enhancing community safety.

The concept is simple yet effective. Property owners with CCTV systems can register their cameras on the Community Cam website, creating a comprehensive map of surveillance coverage across neighbourhoods. When a crime occurs, the police can quickly identify which registered properties might have captured relevant footage, dramatically reducing investigation time and improving the chances of solving cases.

For the Hibiscus Coast community, this initiative offers particular benefits. Our semi-rural and coastal environment, with its mix of residential areas and holiday properties, can present unique challenges for traditional policing methods. Community Cam bridges these gaps by creating a virtual neighbourhood watch network that operates 24/7.

The system’s origins speak to its grassroots nature. Michelle Hohepa, a web developer who later became a Police Constable, conceived the idea following a series of car break-ins in her neighbourhood. After a Neighbourhood Support meeting in 2018, she recognised that while many residents had installed security cameras, police often spent valuable time door-knocking to locate potential footage sources. Her solution was to create a secure database that police could access to immediately identify camera locations.

Privacy and security remain paramount in the system’s design. Participants’ details are confidential and only accessible to police. Camera owners retain complete control over their footage and can choose whether to upload videos when requested. The platform uses SSL encryption and password protection to ensure all shared information remains secure.

The benefits for police are substantial. Instead of conducting time-consuming door-to-door inquiries, officers can instantly identify potential surveillance sources in any given area.

While Community Cam provides the technological backbone for enhanced policing, Neighbourhood Support offers the human connections that make communities truly safe. Through neighbourhood networking, HCNS members stay informed about local issues and work together to address them proactively. The combination of registered cameras and active neighbourhood support creates a security network that benefits everyone.

To learn more or register your cameras, visit communitycam.co.nz. More info hcns.org.nz