Public Asked to Register Video Security Systems With Police

Darien Police Chief Ernest Brown is urging homeowners, property managers and businesses to register their private security cameras with police as a means to deter and help solve local crime.

“Recently, there was an attempt by an unknown motorist to lure a young nine year old to a vehicle with an offer of candy,” Chief Brown said in a letter on the City of Darien website. “Fortunately, the child was able to run away and no harm came to that child.”

Police believe the person who attempted to lure the child was up to no good and “needs to be caught.”

“We only had a vague description that would allow us to pursue and apprehend this offence. That simply may not be enough,” the chief said in his letter.

To put more “eyes on the streets,” Darien Police are asking those with video surveillance systems to register them with the Darien Police Department.

Should a crime occur near a residence or place of business, police will search the registry for the surveillance system closest to the incident. Darien Police will contact the homeowner or  business to see if the video surveillance system captured any images of the purported crime. With the owner’s permission, police will download any images to be used as evidence and to facilitate apprehension. 

Those interested in registering their video surveillance systems should contact Darien Police Department crime analyst Stacey Sherman. Analyst Sherman will log your information into the police database. Residents and businesses participating in the program will only hear from Darien Police if an incident occurred near the registrant’s home or business.

Neighboring Hinsdale Police recently introduced a video surveillance system registry and captured images of a suspected car burglar stealing items from unlocked cars on residential streets.

For more information about the video surveillance system registry, please contact Stacey Sherman at 630-353-8145 or via e-mail at ssherman@darienil.gov to register your video surveillance system with the Darien Police Department.

Security cameras can also be registered online via the Darien Police website.