Surrey residents can help police solve crimes faster by registering outdoor security cameras with Project IRIS, a secure and voluntary program.
Surrey Relaunches Project IRIS to Enhance Public Safety
Surrey Police Service (SPS) is taking the reins of Project IRIS, the city’s CCTV camera registry program originally launched in 2016. This initiative offers residents and business owners a simple yet powerful way to support local safety while keeping their information secure.
By registering external security cameras with Project IRIS, the community can play a vital role in helping police solve crimes more efficiently. It’s voluntary, confidential, and designed to make a real difference in keeping Surrey neighborhoods safe.
What is Project IRIS?
Project IRIS stands for Integrated Resources for Investigations & Safety. It’s a confidential database that maps the locations of voluntarily registered security cameras throughout Surrey. When incidents occur, police can consult the database to identify which cameras might have captured relevant footage.
This system eliminates the time-consuming process of knocking on doors to find video evidence. Instead, officers reach out directly to camera owners to request recordings, only with their permission.
“Project IRIS is an effective tool for police investigations,” says Staff Sergeant Lindsey Houghton, SPS Senior Media Relations Officer. “Video footage can provide crucial evidence that accelerates investigations. The program is easy to join, fully secure, and participants can withdraw at any time.”
How Project IRIS Protects Your Privacy
Many residents may wonder whether registering their camera means police can watch them anytime. The answer is no. Project IRIS does not grant live or direct access to your cameras. Police cannot retrieve footage without explicit permission from the owner.
The database only shows where cameras are located, helping officers know who to contact if they need specific recordings for an investigation. This ensures your privacy remains intact while still contributing to community safety.
How You Can Make a Difference
After an incident, police often canvass neighborhoods for video evidence a process that can take hours or even days. By signing up for Project IRIS, camera owners reduce this burden and help investigations progress faster.
By registering, you:
- Support community safety directly by helping police access crucial evidence quickly
- Save time and resources for officers, allowing them to focus on solving cases
- Keep recordings out of social media, preventing sensitive footage from spreading online
Who Can Participate
To join Project IRIS, cameras must:
- Record video and audio
- Allow footage to be retrieved and replayed
- Be external (mounted outside your home or business)
Cameras that only allow live viewing do not qualify.
If you were part of Project IRIS when it was under the City of Surrey, you’ll need to register your cameras again with SPS. The police cannot transfer previous records, so a new registration is required.
Quick and Easy Registration
Joining Project IRIS is simple. Registration is confidential, secure, and completely voluntary. Participants maintain full control over their cameras and footage, deciding if and when recordings are shared with police.
In short, Project IRIS lets you protect your privacy while actively helping the community. It’s a straightforward way for Surrey residents and businesses to make a meaningful impact in local safety.
