The initiative links privately-owned security systems into the city’s Real Time Watch Center, which includes security cameras and BHPD drones. (photo by Tabor Brewster)

The city of Beverly Hills and the Beverly Hills Police Department launched “Beverly Hills Connect,” an initiative which will incorporate – on a voluntary basis – privately-owned camera systems such as Ring doorbells into the city’s 24-hour surveillance system, the Real Time Watch Center.

“It’s really a way to extend the ability of the residents to connect with the police department,” Mayor Lester Friedman said in an interview. He said the initiative is the “next natural step” in the city’s security system, including the Real Time Watch Center.

“Beverly Hills Connect underscores our commitment to working hand-in-hand with the community to create a safer, more connected city,” BHPD Chief Mark Stainbrook said in a press release. “This innovative program empowers residents to actively contribute to safety.”

The program operates on two levels of community participation.

Level 1 allows residents and business owners to voluntarily register their public-facing security cameras – for instance, Ring doorbell cameras that record front lawns and entrances to homes or security cameras at businesses that record the perimeter of the business – into the city’s database of camera locations. Level 1 does not give the BHPD access to live camera feed.

Friedman said Level 1 registration allows police to more quickly request footage of a possible crime – instead of knocking on the residence or business where a camera is located, the department would be able to directly contact the camera owner via email.

Level 2 gives the BHPD live access to private camera feeds. If a crime is reported, police will have immediate access to the footage via the Real Time Watch Center. Level 2 requires the purchase of a FususCORE device – a piece of hardware that connects the private cameras to the Real Time Watch Center. The device ranges in price based on how many cameras are in a private security system – from approximately $350-$7,300.

Although the initiative will primarily link public-facing cameras, Friedman said residents also have the option to register and integrate cameras that monitor backyards. Additionally, businesses have the option to register and integrate cameras that record the interior of the business.

“Let’s say there is an activity on a certain block, they have the ability to switch over and watch that area on their screen,” Friedman said. “An example would be, if there’s something going on and I felt uncomfortable about a prowler in my backyard, I could immediately call the police station.”

He said police would then be able to view the live security footage of the backyard in real-time.

In level 1, the BHPD must request access to video footage, and the resident has the right to deny a request. However, in level 2 – after the camera owner signs an initial agreement – the BHPD can access the live video feed of a private camera at any time, without notice.

The initiative has prompted privacy concerns from some Beverly Hills residents.

“This would be highly intrusive and a possible gross invasion of privacy,” resident Andrea Grossman said. “We are in a time of declining trust in government, and we don’t need the police to have access to our systems. The police can request to see camera feeds when they think it’s necessary, but I don’t need to integrate my camera system with BHPD.”

In response to privacy concerns, Friedman emphasized the voluntary nature of the program and said that police will not be monitoring individual camera feeds at all times, but instead only when a crime or suspicious activity is reported.

“Obviously everybody has to be within their comfort level,” Friedman said. “Our police have enough to do that they’re not going to waste their time on areas where there is no crime. That doesn’t do anybody any good. It’s really a system that – especially Level 2 – if there is a crime occurring on the spot, then you’re going to cut the amount of wait time to get a police officer over there in half.”

Some residents and business owners have expressed appreciation of the new initiative.

“Some of my neighbors have cameras and if there’s an incident on the block, we always talk and say, ‘What happened, did you see your cameras at 1:12 p.m.?’ And we’ll talk about it and we’ll share each others’ video,” resident Andy Licht said. “To have professionals do that, and the police involved – the technology is going to just make the city more and more safe.”

Similar programs have been implemented by police departments in other municipalities nationwide, including Connect Atlanta and Connect Orange County.

According to the Beverly Hills Connect website, 173 cameras have been registered under Level 1, and 1,837 cameras have been integrated under Level 2. Residents and business owners can register or integrate their cameras by visiting beverlyhillsconnect.org.