The Yorktown Police Department says it wants more access to cameras that belong to residents and business owners.

It says creating a network of cameras can help them solve crimes.

Chief Robert Noble launched the Community Camera Program, which allows residents to register their surveillance cameras with the department on their website.

Signing up for the registry doesn't mean Yorktown police will have access to your surveillance cameras at all times. It will only email you if they need footage.

Instead, things like a rash of car break-ins or home burglaries could prompt an email to registered homes and businesses in the area.

More than a dozen people have already signed up, and Noble hopes more people will consider joining the program.

"The more people we have on board, the wider net we can cast, make Yorktown a community camera town and maybe deter criminals from coming here,” he says.

Officials say personal information of registered members in the program is confidential and for official use only.