(COLLINGWOOD, ON) – The Collingwood and The Blue Mountains Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) is calling on residents and businesses to join the CamSafe program, a voluntary initiative designed to assist police in solving crimes by leveraging community security cameras. This community-driven registry, operated by the Belleville Police Service and supported province-wide by the OPP since 2023, allows residents to register their doorbell cameras, CCTV systems, or other security cameras to aid investigations.
The critical role of public-provided video footage has been evident in two recent investigations. In one, doorbell camera footage from residents enabled the OPP to identify and charge a suspect in a series of cable-cutting incidents targeting Rogers and Bell infrastructure. In another ongoing investigation, announced April 29, 2025, the OPP is requesting video from the public near a Collingwood industrial complex while reviewing footage from the site to advance the case. These investigations highlight the invaluable contribution of community members in helping police resolve crimes.
From the Detachment Commander, Inspector Loris Licharson: “The public’s willingness to share video footage can often be critical in solving investigations. Programs like CamSafe help us connect with camera owners quickly, which greatly supports exigent investigations. We deeply appreciate the community’s support and encourage more residents and businesses to register their cameras to assist in keeping our neighbourhoods safe.”
CamSafe is a secure, voluntary registry that respects privacy and puts participants in control. Residents and businesses provide only contact information and camera locations, which police use to request footage if a crime occurs nearby. There is no access to live feeds, cloud accounts, or stored footage-owners decide whether to share, and can update or remove their information at any time. Like a digital Neighbourhood Watch, CamSafe streamlines the way police seek community assistance, similar to knocking on doors for doorbell camera footage, but with greater efficiency and transparency.
To register or learn more, visit www.camsafe.ca. The Collingwood and The Blue Mountains OPP thanks the community for its ongoing support in building safer communities.
Sgt Wes Staddon
Collingwood/Blue Mountains OPP
