Bradenton police want access to private security cameras. Here’s what new program does

The Bradenton Police Department has launched a new program that allows police to use private security cameras in criminal investigations and emergencies.

Police say the camera registration program, called Connect Bradenton, will help them find security cameras closest to an active scene. The program could reduce the time it takes to solve criminal investigations by giving police easier access to key footage.

Police department spokeswoman Meredith Censullo said police will ask people to share video recordings that may help shed light on an incident.

“It’s kind of like ‘See something, Say something,’” Censullo said. “By saying, ‘I’m totally on board with having you contact me if my cameras captured something,’ that can speed up an investigation and help us take bad guys off the streets.”

As of early January, 45 residents, church leaders and small business owners have volunteered to join the camera network. The camera registry allowed police to create a map of 124 cameras in the city.

Does new police surveillance program raise privacy concerns?

Jacinta Gau, a criminal justice professor at the University of Central Florida in Orlando, raised concerns that the camera network may widen the police department’s scope of surveillance.

“Police are already accessing Ring doorbells and other forms of private security systems,” Gau said. “There’s always the possibility that their scope of surveillance is going to be expanded by something like this program.”

“If people are consenting to let the police use their cameras, in my view, that’s better than the police accessing camera footage, perhaps without people’s knowledge,” Gau added.

People will have the option to remove their information from the camera registry.

Censullo said people should not worry about the police tapping into their security cameras.

“We have zero access to your cameras,” Censullo said. “We just know you have them. It is no different from in a routine investigation, us coming and knocking on your front door and saying, ‘Hey, I noticed you have a camera. Do you mind taking a look at your video?’”

The police department pays about $100,000 to run the program, most of which comes from grants.

Bradenton business owners sign up for new police video program

Tony Hoskins, co-owner of Paddy Wagon Irish Pub in downtown Bradenton, is one of five small business owners who have allowed police to view their live video feeds during emergencies.

Hoskins said he believes the camera network will help prevent crime in the downtown area. He said footage from his security cameras led to arrests in a hit-and-run and a shooting.

“If you misbehave, it’s likely you’re going to be on a tape somewhere,” Hoskins said.

How else might security camera network be used?

Gau said security cameras may also discourage people from driving home intoxicated from a bar.

“If bar patrons know there’s a security camera in the parking lot, maybe they’ll grab an Uber home instead of driving, knowing that there’s going to be footage of them leaving the bar and getting in their car,” Gau said.

On the other hand, Gau said cameras may not ward off “porch pirates.”

“They’re just going to learn, ‘Well, I just need to wear a hat when I’m doing this.’ People who are dedicated to committing crime usually find a way to adapt to any new technology that the police are using.”

Small business owners like Hoskins hope the camera network will make the community safer.

“We thought it was a great idea because we’re in it for the long haul with downtown Bradenton,” Hoskins said. “We understand that it needed some cleaning up, and this is a step in the right direction.”

For more information on the Bradenton Police Department’s program, visit www.BradentonConnect.org.

This story was originally published January 21, 2025 at 5:50 AM.