Polaris Software launches, SJPD efficiency expected to rise

City residents have the opportunity to register security cameras through a platform used by law enforcement to keep communities safe.

The St. Joseph Police Department launched its Polaris Camera registry which will aid investigations and incidents throughout the city.

“We’re introducing a new program; its the same software that we use for our body worn camera technology,” said SJPD Sergeant Jeremy Peters.

Once citizens register the type of security system they have, whether it’s cloud-based storage or a DVR system, it will assist law enforcement with solving investigations throughout neighborhoods and surrounding areas.

The registration will also residents to share what type of angles their cameras can monitor such as the front yard or backyard.

“We can look at that registry and identify if your camera angle is going to apply to what we’re investigating,” Peters said.

However, police are reassuring that registering cameras will not give the department access to your cameras; it will only help officers when they need to contact a person in case of a criminal incident in their area.

“This just simply gives us the notification of where your cameras are,” Peters said. “That way we can spend less time canvasing neighborhoods while we’re investigating crimes. So, for instance, if we’re out at 3:00 in the morning, investigating a major incident, we can pull up our camera map and already have some predefined locations where we know the incident could have been captured on video.”

In addition, the registry information is only accessible to authorized public safety personnel. The general public will not know if someone else is registered or where other camera locations are.

“This is going to enhance public safety and it’s just one more layer of how we’re becoming more technologically advanced and more efficient,” Peters said.

The link to register your device under the St. Joseph Police Department can be found at polaris.cameraregistry.net/registry/stjosephmopolice or by scanning the QR code in the attached photo within the article.

For more information on the Polaris platform and its functions, citizens can reach out to Sgt. Jeremy Peters at 816-236-1473.