MERIDIAN, Idaho — As technology evolves, some wonder if privacy is being compromised.
Now, police agencies across the country are working with homeowners who have Ring doorbells.
Some say it's going too far.
In neighborhoods across the Treasure Valley, families have smart doorbell devices that feature a video system.
As KTVB has reported many times, sometimes crimes are caught on camera.
Investigators are fully aware as well and are now working with neighbors who have ring doorbells to gather possible evidence.
Meridian Police Lt. Jamie Leslie explains that it's also a valuable communication tool.
“It's more eyes and ears out there. The technology has its limitations, but it's a pretty good tool for us," Leslie said. "We see videos of vehicle burglaries, suspects that are suspicious in neighborhoods, and we are able to use that and tie it into other investigations for sure."
Meridian Police is one of two police organizations in Idaho that has partnered with Ring.
Lt. Leslie says that the Ring partnership only started in September, but that they have had recent success using doorbell footage.
One example, solving a break in.
"The victim of the home actually had captured the suspect entering the backyard, we used that information. Officers were able to recognize who that was and we were able to put the case together," Leslie said.
The Pocatello Police Department are also working to implement their partnership with Ring.
Detective Richard Sampson says the department is fully aware of the concerns some may have about privacy.
"It's not a situation where we can go into somebody's system and just take stuff out without anyone's permission. Ring has strong protocols to prevent that," Sampson said.
Departments can request video from neighbors on the Ring app, but, they cannot simply take without permission. Police agencies across the country still have protocol and laws to follow when obtaining evidence.
"Nothing has changed that way," Leslie said. "The information I send out and request for it, it's completely up to the users who receive the information if they want to ignore it, give me the info, look to see if they have something."
The Ring neighbors app is free to download on your smart phone. You don't even need a Ring device to join the community network.
What about Idaho’s biggest city, is Boise Police planning on having a partnership with Ring?
They say, no.
In a full statement, Boise Police said, “The Boise Police Department was approached by Ring about a possible contract but the BPD Command Staff decided that it wasn’t something the department needed at the time. In the past our officers and detectives have been able to successfully work with victims and witnesses when necessary to coordinate the delivery of surveillance video from a number of different brands and home camera products.”