Security cameras helping police solve crimes in South Florida, but also raise privacy concerns

Video cameras have become a routine part of daily life, capturing everything from package deliveries to suspicious activity. 

For law enforcement, that footage can be critical in solving cases. 

As camera technology becomes more advanced, including the use of artificial intelligence, questions about privacy and access are growing.

In the Victoria Park neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale, personal security cameras line residential streets. On one small block alone, at least five cameras watch over sidewalks, driveways and front doors.

"I get alerts on my phone every time someone comes by, like when you guys came here," one resident said. "It said 'Human coming up.'"

Some homeowners, however, say their cameras serve little purpose. One resident said his camera system came with the house but it has never been activated.

Still, Fort Lauderdale police say video evidence plays an increasingly important role in investigations, particularly when time is critical.

Detective Ali Burdick works in the Fort Lauderdale Police Department's Endangered Persons Unit, which handles missing-person cases. She says community cooperation is essential.

"Everyone can relate to, 'Oh my gosh, how would I feel or what would I do?'" Burdick said. "What would I hope the community would do if my loved one was missing?"

The department participates in the Ring public safety portal, a platform that allows verified law enforcement agencies to communicate with Ring users in specific areas. Detectives can post requests for help and view public posts shared throughout the city.

But police do not have direct access to private camera footage.

Privacy debate intensified after Ring rolled out "Search Party" feature

"There is no way for us to say, 'OK, house one, two, three, four and five on southwest 6th Street, we're going to go into that camera and see what is there,'" Burdick said. "That is absolutely not possible. That's why it requires us to get out there and talk to our community."

Police can only view private video if a user willingly submits it. In cases involving people without paid subscriptions, departments may rely on a company's data retention policy to preserve footage, a process Burdick says varies by company.

"You have to ask yourself, 'Why did I put this camera system here?'" she said. "The tool is only as good as what we put into the tool."

The debate over privacy intensified recently after Ring rolled out its "Search Party" feature, marketed as a way to help find lost pets. The feature sparked criticism from privacy advocates who questioned whether the same technology could be used to track people.

Cybersecurity expert Tracey Hawkins said consumers should read the fine print before opting into new programs and understand how their data may be used.

"People started thinking, 'Wait a minute, if it can track pets, what about people?'" Hawkins said. "We're in a society where there is no such thing as privacy anymore."

Hawkins, also known as "The Safety Lady," advises people to learn where their footage and data are stored and who can access it. She also recommends enabling push alerts, which notify users when someone is outside their home.

"Immediately, you see someone is there," she said. "That's especially important if it's in the wee hours of the morning or at an inappropriate time."

Earlier this year, a Pinecrest woman credited those alerts with stopping would-be thieves before they entered her property.

"I feel very happy," she said. "I feel safer in that respect."

As cameras become more common, and more powerful, residents and police alike continue to balance public safety with personal privacy, knowing that once a camera is installed, it is often always watching.