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For Immediate Release: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Blue Mountains, ON - The Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police (OACP) is pleased to announce that Inspector Jeremy Ashley of the Belleville Police Service has been awarded the prestigious OACP Award of Excellence in Community Safety, Wellness & Crime Prevention for 2025.
This award is presented in recognition of the accomplishments of an officer and their community partners working together to improve community safety and well-being.
Inspector Ashley is recognized for his outstanding leadership and innovation in developing CAMSafe, a groundbreaking community-based CCTV and security video registry designed to strengthen collaboration between police and the public in crime prevention and investigations.
Launched in early 2021, CAMSafe—often described as “Neighbourhood Watch 2.0”—has transformed how law enforcement engages with communities. By enabling residents and businesses to voluntarily register their security cameras, CAMSafe allows officers to efficiently identify and request relevant video footage during investigations. The system is accessible via mobile devices and workstations, providing frontline officers with real-time tools to enhance public safety.
From its roots in Belleville, CAMSafe has grown into a province-wide initiative, now adopted by 15 municipal police agencies and across 40 communities served by the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP). Policeservices serving communities in Ottawa, Waterloo region, and Toronto are in the process of implementingCAMSafe, while police agencies in British Columbia and Quebec have expressed strong interest.
“CAMSafe was born out of a need to empower the public to partner with police to solve crime,” said Inspector Ashley. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see this idea embraced by communities across Ontario and beyond.”
Inspector Ashley’s continued efforts include high-level engagement with the Insurance Bureau of Canada and the Ministry of the Solicitor General to ensure CAMSafe’s long-term sustainability and potential provincial standardization.
The OACP congratulates Inspector Ashley for his visionary leadership, commitment to public safety, and for setting a new benchmark in collaborative crime prevention.
This annual award is made possible by the generous support from the
Accident Support Services International Limited.
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Please direct media inquiries to:
Dr. José Luís (Joe) Couto
Director of Government Relations and Communications
Ontario Association of Chiefs of Police
416-919-9798
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