Police officers, Ring team up to offer safety tool
SEYMOUR — The Seymour Police Department has joined forces with a popular app designed to keep residents and their neighborhoods safer.
Police Chief Paul Satkowski said Thursday the department has partnered with Ring Doorbell, which developed the Neighbors app in an effort to bolster community safety. The app is designed to help residents connect and stay informed about public safety incidents, regardless of whether they have a Ring Doorbell. All that’s needed is a smartphone.
The app allows residents to post and share important crime and safety information, whether it’s a bear roaming the neighborhood, a lost pet, car break-in activity or any sort of suspicious or criminal activity they witness, according to Satkowski. They can post and share this information via their smartphones.
And the Police Department now will have a direct portal where residents can immediately share videos, photos and information with police for quick dispatch when necessary.
“I believe this is another great tool and resource for Seymour residents to utilize to provide information to their local Police Department,” Satkowski said. “I encourage residents to sign up and participate to assist us in keeping their neighborhoods safe.”
Satkowski stressed that the app is not a substitute for 911, which is the best way to report emergencies and criminal activity, but the app is an excellent way for important information to get out quickly in real-time, with real-time updates, as well.
Signing up for the app is free and Satkowski stressed residents do not have to own a Ring Doorbell to get the app or participate in the Neighbors Program. More information about the app and how to sign up can be found at https://ring.com/ neighbors.
According to a news release from the Neighbors Public Safety Service, residents don’t have to worry
about online privacy when using the Neighbors app, as users can only view videos and other information if it has been publicly posted on the app or shared with local police.
The cost — free — is a perk, Satkowski said.
“We are grateful to Ring for providing this service to our community at no cost to the town or residents,” he said.
Community Policing Officer Michael Santanelli is excited for residents to jump onboard this new initiative.
“I believe this Neighbors Program is another great way for the Seymour community to communicate with the Seymour police regarding what is occurring in their neighborhoods,” Santanelli said. “The Ring company has made a program that does not request the public to use only Ring equipment, but to use their existing equipment which is a big help for consumers. Also, the public decides what information and/or videos they wish the police to receive. This department does not have access to the public’s equipment or their information unless they contact us with that information. So the public’s privacy is a priority with this program.”
Satkowski said he’s been aware of the Neighbors app for some time, and had hoped to launch the partnership sooner. But the timing is right now, he said, especially with Santanelli coming onboard last month in the community police officer position, which has been vacant for a few years.
“This is a community initiative I wanted to launch for quite some time,” Satkowski said. “It’s a great way for residents to help police and be the eyes and ears of their neighborhoods.”
For more information, contact the Police Department at 203-881-7600.