Chicago

‘It's Our Best Bet': West Town Camera Network Helps in Carjacking Cases

A home security camera was rolling Saturday night capturing the carjacking of a couple parked their car near Damen and Huron in West Town.

Just as they walk out of the frame they're approached by four teens who demand their belongings and their vehicle, police told NBC 5.

The teens can then be seen getting into the couple's car and driving away.

"I'm a little surprised," neighbor Emilie Roop said. "(It's) a fairly safe neighborhood."

On Tuesday at 6:45 a.m. another carjacking was reported at Wolcott and Division in Wicker Park. A 25-year old woman telling police that two men approached as she got into her car.

"I'm not surprised," resident Amanda Guentner said. "(It) happens all over Chicago."

Police were able to quickly obtain video of the first carjacking thanks to West Town's Confidential Security Camera Registry.

Kim Shepherd works as the CAPS Facilitator for Beat 1221 and created the database of home security cameras to help connect police with relevant video.

"We started 14 months ago and have 330 cameras now registered in the neighborhood," she said. "Anytime there's a crime the detectives can access this map and immediately know where they can call people to get video."

People living in West Town hopeful that the network of cameras will help to catch criminals and also deter them.

"I think whatever we can do to help each other out, it's our best bet," Guentner said.

Shepherd says other neighborhoods have expressed interest in creating a similar system. If you live in West Town and want to register your camera, you can do so here.

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