The city of Hayward is putting all eyes on you — well, on your house and your business — with your permission of course. The program is called E.Y.E.S which stands for Empowering Your Electronic Security.

Residents and business owners can register their privately owned surveillance cameras with the Hayward Police Department. When a crime is committed, officers will be allowed to collect surveillance from those cameras to assist in criminal investigations and prosecution of suspects.

This initiative has been embraced by several cities in the United States and HPD feels the program can assist their efforts to fight crime within the community. When you register your camera, the police department may contact you to collect footage within the area that your camera shoots in order to assist them in their investigations.

“Registration does not provide the department direct access to the privately owned surveillance camera system,” said Sergeant Ryan Cantrell, Homicide and Major Assaults Unit Supervisor for the Hayward Police Department. “A participant may withdraw from the program at any time.”

Cantrell explained that participant’s personal information will remain confidential unless they fall subject to disclosure by law or court order.
“The Department will only contact the participant if there is a criminal incident in the vicinity of the registered surveillance camera,” said Cantrell.

Registration opens on Dec. 16.