IN Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall Fall 2017 | Page 17

B
rentwood Police Chief Adam Zeppuhar
says a new software package is well worth
the $2,400 annual price tag. “We want to
provide the best possible service, and we
can accomplish that with CRIMEWATCH,”
Zeppuhar says.
In May, the Brentwood Police Department began using
CRIMEWATCH Technologies, a web-based system that
makes it easy for Zeppuhar to share information with
the public and receive tips. Residents can subscribe to an
alert system or download the app to receive notifications
about recent arrests and open warrants. So far, about 30
subscribers have signed up and approximately 1,200 users
have visited the website. Zeppuhar also publishes a weekly
incident blotter.
CRIMEWATCH Technology also integrates smoothly
with the Brentwood Police Department’s Facebook and
Twitter profiles. So far, more than 13,000 people have
seen announcements posted through social media.
The technology is very flexible and gives Zeppuhar
the ability to customize what information he shares.
“We have the capability to
build our website however
we want it,” he says.
The police blotter is the
most popular feature so far
and residents quickly share
it on Facebook. “People
like to know what’s going
on,” Zeppuhar adds.
However, Zeppuhar
wants to make sure that
members of the public
remember that individuals
who have been arrested
remain innocent until
proven guilty.
CRIMEWATCH technology also allows members of the
public to provide tips and report complaints. Although no
cases have yet been solved due to a tip received through
CRIMEWATCH, Zeppuhar says it has provided useful
information. “We had more information that we had before,”
he explains. “People might see things that can be valuable
assets to us as we try to solve crimes.”
However, residents should not rely on CRIMEWATCH
to report crimes in progress. The department responds to
tips received through CRIMEWATCH within 48 hours
but calling 911 is still the best option to report a crime in
progress. Residents should use CRIMEWATCH to report
ordinance violations, traffic problems or suspicious activity.
“CRIMEWATCH is an avenue for people who don’t want
to call 911 because they feel like they are tying up valuable
resources,” he says.
Before 2016, the Brentwood Police Department had its
own dispatch center, but now uses the Allegheny County
911 system. Many residents feel like they should call 911
to only report emergencies, which can be problematic. “It
keeps people from reporting things,” Zeppuhar notes.
He hopes CRIMEWATCH will help keep the public
informed and encourage residents to notify the police about
things that might otherwise go unreported.
The Brentwood Police Department’s CRIMEWATCH
page also includes information about a variety of other
public safety issues, such as domestic violence,
Internet fraud and resources for opiate addiction.
“We are trying to provide more resources
and education to anybody who visits our page,”
Zeppuhar says. “It’s
outside the traditional
role of law enforcement
but the opioid epidemic
is a hot-button topic.”
In the future,
Zeppuhar hopes to add
a feature that shows
crime information in the
borough and maps it on
aerial photographs. He
also wants to integrate
CRIMEWATCH
technology with the
department’s record
system to make it easier to publish the incident blotter
and publish press releases. Zeppuhar says that would be
convenient and save him a lot of time. Another possibility
includes creating a kiosk that would provide access to crime
information at public places, such as bus stops.
“Better things are coming when it comes to providing
information,” Zeppuhar notes.
For more information, visit allegheny.crimewatchpa.com/
and select Brentwood PD from the directory. ■
Brentwood-Baldwin-Whitehall | Fall 2017 | icmags.com 15