(Washington, DC) – Mayor Muriel Bowser today kicked off the Summer Crime Prevention Initiative by celebrating the 10,000th private security camera funded through the Private Security Camera Incentive Program at the home of Jonathan Brooks in Ward 7. The program provides rebates for the purchase, installation, and registration of a security camera system on the exterior of a building owned or leased by a DC resident, business, nonprofit, or religious institution.
“We know that building safer neighborhoods is most effective when we all have a role to play,” said Mayor Bowser. “That is why I am excited to celebrate the 10,000th security camera funded through the Private Security Camera Incentive Program. This program continues to be a great example of how we are working together with residents across all eight wards to create a safer, stronger DC.”
Mayor Bowser originally introduced legislation to create the camera incentive program in 2015 as part of her comprehensive public safety agenda, “Safer, Stronger DC.” Since the program was launched in February 2016, over 4,500 applications for rebates have been received and $1.5 million in rebates have been approved for over 10,000 cameras across all eight wards.
“Since the program launched in 2016, there has been strong, steady responses across the District to this program and we look forward to continuing to engage with the DC community to ensure all eligible applicants have the opportunity to participate,” said Director Garcia. “Together, we’ll keep taking steps forward in creating a safer, stronger DC”
The Private Security Camera Incentive Program, administered by the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants, encourages residents, businesses, non-profits and religious institutions to install security camera systems on their property and register them with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). This program is intended to help deter crime and assist law enforcement with investigations.
There are two ways to participate:
The Private Security Camera Rebate Program creates a rebate for residents, businesses, nonprofits, and religious institutions to purchase and install security camera systems on their property and register them with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). The program provides a rebate of up to $200 per camera, with a maximum rebate of up to $500 per residential address (e.g., home offices, condo buildings, and apartments) and $750 for all other eligible addresses. The rebate is exclusively for the cost of the camera(s) including any applicable tax.
The Private Security Camera Voucher Program provides a private security camera system to eligible residents free of charge. District residents—either owners or tenants—who receive public assistance may be eligible to have a camera system installed at their home.
The Summer Crime Initiative (SCI) is a coordinated effort to reduce violent crime through strategic prevention and focused enforcement in specific areas across the District. Every year for nearly ten years, the Metropolitan Police Department has identified five to six focus areas that have experienced a high density of violence and utilized all available resources, including collaborative outreach, to prevent violent crime in those areas during the summer months.
At the event, the Mayor was joined by Kevin Donahue, Deputy Mayor for Public Safety and Justice and Michelle Garcia, Director of the Office of Victims Services and Justice Grants.
More information about the Private Security Camera Program is available at ovsjg.dc.gov. Eligible residents are encouraged to apply.