The presence of a home or business outdoor video surveillance system is a warning to prowling criminals that they are being monitored and recorded. While video surveillance may deter criminals from breaching your safety, it is also helpful in investigating crimes that may happen in your neighborhood.  

The Merced Police Department is committed to the safety and protection of our citizens. We are asking residents and businesses, across our jurisdiction, to assist us in safeguarding their communities by registering their privately owned video surveillance systems with our new Community Camera Program.

How Does the Program Work?

When crimes occur, video surveillance systems sometimes record information that can generate strong leads and vital information for our investigators. The program registration list will help investigators determine whether any homes or businesses in the area of the crime have video surveillance footage. Participants in the Community Camera Program would save precious time for law enforcement, and this footage could lead to the apprehension and prosecution of the involved criminals.

Registration in the program does not give the Merced Police Department any direct access to your surveillance equipment. Registration also does not obligate you to agree to share video surveillance with investigators. It is a time-saving resource to help Merced Police investigators be aware of surveillance systems in the area.

Benefits of Registering

By registering your privately owned video surveillance system with our department, investigators can quickly identify nearby cameras that may have captured criminal activity. Following registration, you would only be contacted by the Merced Police Department if there is a criminal incident in the vicinity of your home or business. Police personnel may request to view your surveillance system footage to assist in the investigation.

Help us keep Merced a great place to live, grow and work. Join the Community Camera Program today!

Terms of Use

The information provided about you and your camera system will be for official use only. Your personal information will remain confidential and not be distributed except as required by law or court order. This program is entirely voluntary and you can withdraw consent of you camera information at any time. If necessary, the City of Merced Police Department may contact you directly, utilizing the information provided by you at time of registration, to request the appropriate video surveillance footage. Any footage containing or related to criminal activity collected by the Merced Police Department may be utilized as evidence during any stage of a criminal proceeding. Under no circumstance shall the registrants construe that they are acting as an agent and/or employee of the City of Merced and/or the City of Merced Police Department through this program. The Merced Police Department will not request or obtain direct access or remote access to the camera equipment, security footage or cloud stored data.

By agreeing to submit your information, you agree to provide the location of your cameras to the Merced Police Department and understand you may be contacted in the future by the Merced Police Department.