BROWN CO., Wis. — The Brown County Sheriff's Office launched it's partnership with 'Neighbors' by Ring this week to help keep neighborhoods safe.
'Neighbors' is a free app that provides communities with real-time local crime, and safety information, according to the Brown County Sheriff's Office.
The app allows users to type in their address and set a radius up to five miles. Users are alerted when others post activity happening in their area, giving the community an even louder voice when it comes to neighborhood watch.
"They've always been our eyes and ears no matter what, but now, there's so many other eyes and ears out there in forms of their personal security devices that they can share that without even having to call the police," said Lt. Kevin Pawlak with the Brown County Sheriff's Office.
Users are able to upload video from their security systems, cameras, or cellphones.
"You can go on there, and they can show video for someone stealing something off their porch. 'Does anyone else have this?'" said Lt. Pawlak.
Users don't need to have Ring or any other security system to use the app, though.
The Brown County Sheriff's Office is also able to request video from users.
"If we are having a rash of break-ins that we aren't getting notified by these devices to request people in say in a mile radius of a bunch of car break-ins, 'Would you please upload any videos that you have?' And we'll try to see if they're connected to our car break-ins," added Lt. Pawlak.
It can be downloaded from an app store on Androids or iPhones. It can also be downloaded on computers.
"You get to know what's happening in your neighborhood and just be proactive," said Lt. Pawlak.
The Green Bay Police Department partnered with 'Neighbors' by Ring last year and said it helped the department solve crimes while also building trust in the community.
"We're having that open line of communication between us and residents in Green Bay, and we're able to disseminate information that we want to release," said Cmdr. Kevin Warych with the Green Bay Police Department.
Lt. Pawlak said posting to the app does not replace calling 911. You still need to call 911 and file a report.
He added that it also does not give law enforcement agencies or anyone else the ability to look at users' cameras at any given time. Only the video users upload to the app is shared.
To download the app, you can text 'browncountywi' to 555-888 or click here.
