Apopka Police Launch Camera Registry for Safer Community

APOPKA — The Apopka Police Department (APD) has launched Apopka Connect, a new program encouraging residents and business owners to register their private security cameras. The initiative aims to enhance crime prevention, response and resolution by integrating private camera systems with the APD.

Apopka Connect offers two participation options. The first, free of charge, allows individuals to register camera locations. If a public safety incident occurs nearby, the APD will contact the owner for assistance. The department will not have direct access to live feeds through this option, but it facilitates quicker access to potential evidence.

The second option involves integrating camera feeds directly with APD for a fee. This requires specific equipment to share live video feeds with the city, creating a unified system at the police department. This system allows officers to access live feeds during calls or critical incidents, improving response times and effectiveness. The program emphasizes that integrated cameras must monitor publicly accessible areas with no expectation of privacy, adhering to privacy laws and civil rights guidelines.

To participate, residents and business owners must ensure their cameras are registered to their property and located in areas without a reasonable expectation of privacy. Registration is a quick, free online process. For integration, cameras must be compatible with the fususCORE system, and a small device will need to be purchased to connect the camera system to the program. Participants can continue using their cameras as usual, and the fususCORE module is designed not to impact network performance. Individuals can withdraw from the program at any time.