Highland police are asking residents and businesses to register their video surveillance systems with the department to help with future investigations.

After a system is registered, Highland police will confirm it and enter it in a database, Cmdr. John Banasiak said in a news release.

If a crime is committed in a certain area, officers can check the department’s map of registered systems to see if there are nearby cameras, he said.

“We will then make contact with that registered resident or business and ask that they check their own surveillance system to see if their cameras might have captured anything that may be of assistance to us,” Banasiak said.

The program is “free, voluntary and confidential,” Banasiak said.

Only Highland police will have access to the database, he said.

The program would not allow the department to gain access to surveillance systems, but instead would help police contact residents or businesses if a crime occurred in their area, according to Banasiak.

“This is a program that other police departments in the United States have been doing, and we feel it is a great tool to have in order to assist our officers and investigators in following up on reported crimes,” Banasiak said.

Anyone interested in registering is asked to email name, address, phone number and email address to jkoedyker@highland.in.gov.

Those with questions should contact Banasiak at 219-838-3184 or email jbanasiak@highland.in .gov.