OLD ORCHARD BEACH — Old Orchard Beach Police are asking residents and business owners with surveillance cameras to partner with the police department in an initiative to help solve crime and make Old Orchard Beach a safer community.

There are many surveillance camera systems installed at residences and businesses across town. If a crime occurs nearby a private surveillance system, the system’s security camera may capture valuable information that could help solve the crime, said police in a written statement.

People who have such systems may not realize their camera has captured footage that could be helpful to police, and likewise, police may not be aware that a surveillance camera exists near where an alleged crime has happened.

“Video surveillance is one of the best methods of apprehending criminals and convicting suspects who are caught in the act of committing a crime,” said police.

Police are asking owners of surveillance systems with security cameras to register with the police department. As police respond to incidents of crime in the community, they may be able to use footage taken from nearby security cameras to assist in the apprehension and prosecution of the criminals involved.

If a registered security camera is identified as nearby a reported crime location, police may request that the owner view the footage or allow them to in order to assist in an investigation.

Similar programs have been initiated in other communities across the country. Police in Marrietta, Georgia said that a citizen camera initiative program in their community has helped them locate missing children, according to the Associated Press.

Old Orchard Beach residents who wish to register for the program can go www.oobmaine.com/police-department and click on the “camerai initiative” tab or contact Detective Corporal Jeffrey Regan at 937-5838 or jregan@oobmaine.com.

— Staff Writer Liz Gotthelf can be contacted at 780-9015 or egotthelf@journaltribune.com.