PENNSYLVANIA, USA — Last week, Ring announced that it will no longer allow police to request doorbell camera footage from its customers through its app.
The Amazon-owned company announced that it's ending the “Request for Assistance” tool in its Neighbors app that allowed police departments and other law enforcement agencies to request and receive video captured by its doorbell cameras.
Ring's decision to remove the feature has highlighted the increasing and widespread use of doorbell cameras and its growing usefulness by law enforcement.
"The growth [of doorbell cameras] has been extremely rapid," said PJ Verrecchia, a criminology and criminal justice professor at York College. "It’s been important to law enforcement and a great tool for them to use."
Police Chief Stephen Margeson of the Camp Hill Police Department has been in law enforcement for over three decades and says the growing use of doorbell cameras has been a game changer.
"Nationwide, it has absolutely been a game changer and we’ve had several cases here in Camp Hill where those video systems have proved beneficial in closing a case and making arrests," said Margeson.
RJ Fisher, a former York County District Attorney prosecutor and current criminal defense attorney at Ferro Law Firm in York, says it's become a useful tool for not only law enforcement but all members of the criminal justice system.
"I think it’s a tool for both sides," said Fisher. "I think it helps law enforcement, juries, prosecutors and defense attorneys to get to the right answer and make sure justice is truly served."
It's an additional resource that experts say is reliable and helps reveal the truth in an investigation.
"Truth and what actually happened are the keywords," said Verrecchia. "It’s a tool for anyone who has a stake in the criminal justice process to know what actually happened. Video footage is much more reliable now than witness testimony that will help decide once and for all what really happened."
Ring did not provide a reason for the removal, however, there have been growing privacy concerns. In 2022, the company said it handed over 11 videos to police without notifying users due to “emergency” circumstances. Experts say the change ultimately gives Ring customers more ownership over their footage and how it’s used.
"I think it’s always good to give people that choice. I think nine times out of 10 most people want to help; most people want to keep their community safe," said Fisher. "But, I think giving people that option is always better."
However, with advancing technology and increasing use of "cloud-based" products, Fisher adds the tradeoff will always be between privacy and convenience.
"We always sacrifice privacy when we go for convenience," said Fisher. "If that’s a concern for someone, the only true way to deal with that is read those user agreements, make sure you know how the company will utilize your data, who they will share it with, why they will share it. If you’re not happy with that, then you should invest in a camera where the data is being stored locally."
Many police departments including Camp Hill PD have created a voluntary registry for people willing to share their surveillance footage with police, in addition to their ability to get access to video through the courts and search warrants.
"It’s another step that we might have to take if we wish to obtain a Ring doorbell home video," said Margeson. "[However], the owner of that system can still voluntarily agree to share that information with us. Our experience has been on a number of occasions that these homeowners are more than willing to share video with us that is germane to the case."
It’s a community partnership they say is vital.
"Law enforcement, crime prevention and enhancing the quality of life is not something the police department can do on its own," Margeson. "It has to be a partnership with members of the community."
However, as the reliance on the technology continues to grow, experts add more widespread policy needs to be put in place.
"I just think we need the right laws and policies," said Verrecchia. "Right now it’s by the seat of our pants and now that we see this is a tool for law enforcement, we want to make sure the criminal justice system does things the right way.