photo by: Kim Callahan/Journal-World

Lawrence Police Department headquarters, 5100 Overland Drive, is pictured June 28, 2022.

The Lawrence Police Department will host a meet-and-greet on Wednesday to familiarize residents with Connect Lawrence, a public safety program in which people can voluntarily register their security cameras with law enforcement.

Registration helps police, fire and public safety professionals know where cameras are in the community in case they need assistance in responding to criminal activity and emergency situations. The program does not give police the right to access your camera footage without your approval.

The meet-and-greet — scheduled from 6 to 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Lawrence Public Library, 707 Vermont St. — will provide information about the program and the proposed policy that will govern its use.

“It’s about helping our officers respond smarter, more efficiently, and helping the community feel more secure,” Lawrence Police Chief Rich Lockhart said in a news release.

Police have emphasized that the program is not about surveillance and is completely voluntary.