Ring to no longer share doorbell video with police

DELMARVA – Amazon has announced that Ring will no longer be sharing doorbell video footage voluntarily with police departments through the company’s mobile app.

Worcester County Sheriff Matt Crisafulli tells 47 ABC WMDT that the footage has been crucial for police in gathering evidence; especially for a case involving a string of recent vehicle thefts in the county.

However, not having access through the Neighbors app does not necessarily leave police completely locked out from the video that the devices may capture. They can still ask homeowners to share the videos with police while out canvassing; it is the property of the homeowner.

However, if the homeowner refuses Sheriff Crisafulli says police still have one last shot to get the footage

“If we cannot get consent from the homeowners, and we feel that there’s viable information that’s going to help us close out a specific crime, then our law enforcement officers will just have to draw up a subpoena, get an order from the judge to get those records,” he said.

Sheriff Crisafulli added that that process can slow down police when they need to quickly access the footage.