Ever notice how much of our everyday lives is now captured on videotape?
We're not talking selfies.
We're talking about every time you approach the counter at Wawa. Every time you tap a MAC machine. Every time you enter many malls and stores. Every time you enter a parking garage. Every time you go through a bridge or interstate toll.
And now, more and more, small businesses and homeowners are using video devices to keep tabs on what is going on outside their house.
The technology now allows you to see who is at your front door, whether you're lying in bed or at a business meeting across the country.
One of the best elements of all this video has been as a huge help in aiding law enforcement as they investigate crimes. More and more, as can be seen in the pages of this and other newspapers, as well as online, one of the first things police do as they investigate a crime is check for any surveillance video.
Seemingly inevitably, an image appears of a suspect, or a vehicle, police want to talk to in connection with their investigation.
At first, what we saw were blurry, grainy images.
Not anymore.
Some of the surveillance video we're seeing now rivals what you can get on your TV. Recently, law enforcement officials released video of a street shooting in Chester that looked as much like a Hollywood movie. In this case, this is reality TV on steroids.
Now Delaware County District Attorney Katayoun Copeland is looking to take full advantage of this explosion in video.
This week Copeland, flanked by law enforcement officials from across the county, rolled out a new program asking the public to join them in their crime-fighting task - with surveillance video playing a starring role.
Copeland announced a program that will allow residents and businesses to register their security cameras so that investigators can quickly locate the devices, which often hold crucial details in a criminal investigation.
"Thanks to this technology and a partnership with our residents and business community, criminals in Delaware County now have fewer places to hide," Copeland said.
It's called the DAdelCam Program. Residents and business owners can join the program. Then if a crime occurs at your property or in your neighborhood, law enforcement can quickly determine where the closest cameras are and access that video footage as part of their investigation.
Is there an element of a creeping "Big Brother" factor, with concerns over who has access to the video and other privacy issues. Sure, but officials stressed precautions to avoid just those kind of problems.
Copeland held the press conference at a Havertown residence that became the first to sign up for the program. She stressed that the program is voluntary and all information will be kept in a secure database accessible only to verified law enforcement members.
Businesses and families who register with the DAdelcam program will receive a sticker they can put on their residence. That in itself can serve as a warning to potential burglars and other criminals.
Call it Delco's Version of Candid Camera.
Get all the details here.
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