ERLANGER, Ky. — The Erlanger Police Department is now among the local law enforcement agencies that have joined the Neighbors app.
On the app, which is owned by the makers of Ring video doorbells, the police department can now view, post and respond to crime-related information that is posted.
According to the Neighbors section of the Ring website, police do not have access to Ring doorbell footage unless the user posts the footage publicly in the app. On the user end, the app will look the same to everyone, but law enforcement can view public posts from within their jurisdiction, not just their “neighborhood.” The company says owning a Ring device is not required to use the Neighbors app.
According to the website, posts or comments made by law enforcement are clearly marked with their official title and name. Law enforcement must also have a case number to make information requests through the app, and users do not have to provide Ring video footage or other information unless a warrant is provided to the company.
The Erlanger Police Department is not the first law enforcement agency to use the Neighbors app. As of August 2019, more than 400 law enforcement agencies across the country have partnered with the Neighbors app, including these 11 local agencies:
Ohio agencies:
- Warren County Sheriff's Office
- Butler County Sheriff's Office
- Wyoming Police Department
- Loveland Police Department
- Colerain Township Police Department
- Madeira Police Department
- Milford Police Department
Northern Kentucky agencies:
- Bellevue Police Department
- Fort Thomas Police Department
- Newport Police Department
- Edgewood Police Department
The site says users can opt out of all requests by law enforcement.
