Keeping your business and community safe is important, and now you can win money simply for helping police crack down on crime. FOCUS SB/The Inquisitor is offering $100 to businesses that register their security cameras with the City of Shreveport’s camera registry. Twice weekly, the publication will draw names of businesses that have registered until a total of $2,000 is awarded. FOCUS SB publisher John Settle says this is their way of encouraging business partnership in the program. “The real time crime center is a great help to the Shreveport Police Department,” says Settle. ” The effectiveness is greatly increased by the registration of private security cameras in the center. Crime is an issue for all and this is a simple, effective way for businesses to assist local law enforcement.”

The City of Shreveport is joining the trend of other cities around the nation in asking citizens to share their security camera video to help fight crime. Whenever significant crimes occur in downtown and other parts of the city, the limited manpower of the Shreveport Police Department has to spend time tracking down camera footage from nearby buildings, businesses and neighbors. It is a time-consuming task, but one that can yield significant benefits in helping identify persons responsible for crimes. We encourage all downtown businesses and property owners to register their cameras to assist in keeping downtown safe.

Registering your cameras is easy! Go to the City of Shreveport’s registry page and fill it out.

You will first need to create an account (on the right side of the page) and once your email address is verified, you will be able to register your cameras and location. This information is only available to certain personnel at SPD, and is not sold or used by any third parties. It will be used only in investigating criminal incidents. Cities and towns across the country have turned to this ‘virtual neighborhood watch’ to help solve crimes from tire slashings to home invasions.

To see how the local registration works, you can watch this short video.

FOCUS SB/The Inquisitor’s first award will be made on Oct. 29. In addition to the cash, winners will also receive a free one-year subsciption to the publication.