San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Dept. pairs with Ring
The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department announced it is pairing with Ring and its Neighbors app to share information and video. Users must opt in to allow law enforcement to access their video and still images.
The popular home security system is almost everywhere. Just ring the doorbell and you quickly appear on camera.
It allows for people to see right away who is at their door.
With this new partnership with the Sheriff's Department, users will have the ability to decide whether they want to share their information, including videos and pictures, with local law enforcement.
Some are worried that their information will be shared without their knowledge.
"Can ring share video, still images and audio with the department without the owners of the hardware knowing? No, you have to have opted for that to happen. We can't just access your equipment," said Jodi Miller of the Sheriff's Department.
The specific department users would choose to share their information to will depend on their zip code. For example, residents in parts of the high desert will be able to share with Morongo Basin Station.
"They are not monitored 24/7 so it is not meant to replace any form of traditional crime reporting. It's just another tool," Miller added.
Even if you don't have Ring, you can still log into the app and see incidents near you.
Some residents are all for the cause, while others remain skeptical.
"Well if you're not opting into it and your neighbors happen to catch anything that they may seem suspicious, it could be taken out of context without you actually committing a crime," said Melissa Spears, a Yucca Valley resident.
Statement from Ring:
"Ring's mission is to make neighborhoods safer. We work towards this mission in a number of ways, including allowing local law enforcement agencies to communicate and share important safety updates with their residents through the Neighbors app."
The Indio Police Department says it is considering ring and is waiting to see the results from others who are using it now.
The Desert Hot Springs Police Department adopted the system in March.
