Mayor Bowser Announces Milestones for the District’s Private Security Camera Incentive Program

(Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser announced the release of the Private Security Camera Incentive Program Fiscal Year 2020 Annual Report. The program provides incentives to residents, businesses, non-profits, and religious institutions to install security camera systems on their property and register them with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

“We know that it takes the work of the entire community to build a safer DC,” said Mayor Bowser. “The success of the Private Security Camera Incentive Program has greatly expanded our camera network and provided law enforcement with an important tool to solve crimes. We continue to encourage residents and businesses to enroll and help protect their neighborhoods.”

Highlights from the FY20 Annual Report include:

• 1,837 rebate and voucher applications were approved and 4,079 cameras were funded in FY20.
• 31 documented requests for footage by MPD from program recipients that were successfully extracted.
• Extracted footage was used in seven arrests, including four in murder cases, one in an assault with a deadly weapon case, one in a second-degree burglary case, and one in a robbery case.
• Since the program’s inception, 8,840 rebates and vouchers have been approved and 20,641 cameras have been funded.

Mayor Bowser originally introduced legislation to create the camera incentive program in 2015 as part of her comprehensive public safety agenda, Safer, Stronger DC. The Private Security Camera Incentive Program is administered by the Office of Victim Services and Justice Grants (OVSJG) and is intended to help deter crime and assist law enforcement with investigations. OVSJG is leading efforts to promote the program with a special emphasis placed on outreach to businesses and residents in under-represented community.

“We’re proud to release the annual report of the Private Security Camera Incentive Program that will provide an overview of the impact the program has made for residents, businesses, non-profits, and religious institutes across all eight wards in the District,” said OVSJG Director Michelle Garcia

There are two ways to participate in the Private Security Camera Incentive program:

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. 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.

Residents, businesses, nonprofits, and religious institutions can learn more and apply for the program by visiting the OVSJG website. Additional questions about the rebate or voucher program can be sent to [email protected] or (202) 727-5124.