Millville Police Offer New Safety Registrations, Protect Privacy

Millville Police Department is now operating two voluntary public safety programs intended to aid families, landlords, businesses and investigators. The MPD Safe Return registration lets caregivers submit a current photograph and descriptive information for people with autism or with Alzheimer’s and dementia so officers have quick reference information if a person wanders or becomes disoriented. The Security Camera Registration asks residents, landlords and businesses to register on site surveillance camera locations and contact information so officers can quickly identify and request footage when crimes occur.

The forms for both programs are available on the City and Police Department websites, and the department has provided email and mailing addresses for submission and inquiries. Participation is voluntary. The department emphasized privacy protections in its release, noting it will not constantly monitor registered cameras, and that any remote access to camera systems would occur only with permission in active incidents.

For Cumberland County residents the programs are designed to reduce response times and to improve the chances of safe returns for vulnerable people. Having a current photo and identifying details on file can shorten searches and allow officers to coordinate with families and medical providers more effectively. For neighborhoods and businesses, registering cameras can reduce the time spent locating footage after a burglary or other crime, potentially speeding investigations and prosecutions.

The approach balances public safety with civil liberties by keeping registration voluntary and limiting surveillance to incident driven requests. That balance mirrors broader trends in municipal policing that seek private cooperation without creating de facto constant monitoring of public life. The programs also acknowledge the caregiving realities in many households and the practical challenges police face when a missing person has communication or memory impairments.

Residents who want to enroll a loved one in MPD Safe Return or register cameras should consult the City or Police Department web pages to download the appropriate form and to find the department email and mailing addresses for submission. Participation may help families and businesses respond faster when seconds matter, and it gives police clearer, lawful channels to secure crucial evidence or to reunite vulnerable residents with their caregivers.