City of Chicago begins offering rebates for security cameras, other devices purchased to protect property

CHICAGO (CBS) — Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Monday introduced the launch of the town’s new the Home and Business Protection Program (HBPP) – by which anybody who lives, runs a business, or owns or leases a automobile in Chicago could be reimbursed for non-public security devices to protect their property.

Mayor Lightfoot was joined by metropolis Community Safety Chief Coordination Officer Tamara Mahal, the Rev. Michael Pfleger, and other officers for the announcement at St. Sabina Church in Auburn Gresham.

“We are taking a public health approach to community safety, and that means activating resources across a range of programs, policy changes, and activities,” Mayor Lightfoot mentioned in a information launch. “The Home and Business Protection Program serves as our newest resource to support this effort, and it is part of a larger strategy that includes historic investments in affordable housing, mental health, and violence prevention. We encourage all residents to take advantage of this program and join us in our efforts to create safer communities all across our city.” 

The metropolis will present choose rebates to cover the associated fee of outside security digicam methods, cloud storage for video footage, outside motion-sensor lighting, automobile GPS trackers, and subscription prices.

The program is open to all Chicago residents, companies, non secular establishments, and nonprofits. Those who hire housing may additionally apply for the rebate with their landlords’ permission. Condo associations are additionally eligible.

“We’ve seen this used many times to solve crimes in the past, and we think the more of them that are out here, even better for the future,” mentioned Father Pfleger.

The metropolis says anybody who meets the eligibility standards might obtain reimbursement for: 

• Up to $225 per digicam – for the associated fee of the digicam and tax solely. This is for a most of two cameras – or a complete $450 reimbursement.
• One year’s price of subscription prices for cloud-based video storage methods, for a most of $150 per annual subscription.

• Up to $100 per movement sensor mild – for the associated fee of mild and tax solely. This is for a most of two lights, or a complete $200 reimbursement.

• Up to $50 per automobile GPS monitoring machine – once more for the associated fee of the machine and tax solely. This is once more for a most of two devices, or a complete reimbursement of $100.

• One year of subscription prices for GPS monitoring apps as required for use by a automobile GPS monitoring machine producer -for up to $120.

Anyone who efficiently completes and application shall be reimbursed inside 90 days of approval.

To qualify, candidates should meet these standards:

• The applicant should personal or hire a property used as a major residence or place of business, non secular establishment, or nonprofit – or personal or lease a automobile registered to a major tackle in Chicago.
• The applicant should present documentation that verifies proof of buy of the gadgets for which they’re asking for rebates. 
• The applicant should present picture documentation that verifies set up of these gadgets.

Meanwhile, anybody who desires to use their cameras to assist Chicago Police with investigations might register their digicam system at chicagopolice.org/cameraregistration. This just isn’t required to obtain the rebate.

For those that do register their cameras, police won’t have direct entry to their cameras and can’t entry their digicam footage with out consent. Registration simply permits police to request digicam footage if against the law occurs.

The metropolis can also be becoming a member of with community-based organizations to distribute non-public security tools within the 15 metropolis neighborhood areas which have the best ranges of violence. Those communities are:

• Auburn Gresham 
• Austin 
• Chicago Lawn 
• East Garfield Park 
• Englewood 
• Greater Grand Crossing 
• Humboldt Park 
• New City 
• North Lawndale 
• Roseland 
• South Lawndale 
• South Shore 
• West Englewood 
• West Garfield Park 
• West Pullman

Only security devices purchased on or after Monday, June 6, qualify for the reimbursement program. For extra, follow this link.

Mayor Lightfoot additionally joined Chicago Public Schools leaders Monday to honor the 1,000 Safe Passage employees for their arduous work holding other college students protected.

“You are the glue that holds our communities together.  I know when Safe Passage started, it was about making sure that we were taking care of kids to and from school – sometimes having to cross over territory that might be dangerous for them – and you do that, every single day,” Mayor Lightfoot mentioned.

Mayor Lightfoot was joined by CPS Chief Executive Officer Pedro Martinez, police Supt. David Brown, CPS Chief Education Officer Bogdana Chkoumbova, and CPS Chief OF Safety and Security Jadine Chou for the occasion at Chicago State University.