Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Tamara Mahal, Chief Coordination Officer for Community Safety, joined City and community partners today to launch the Home and Business Protection Program (HBPP). Through the program, anyone who lives in the city of Chicago, operates a business in the city, or owns or leases a vehicle registered to a primary address within the city limits will be able to receive reimbursement from the City to cover the costs of private security devices to protect their property and feel safe.
“We are taking a public health approach to community safety, and that means activating resources across a range of programs, policy changes, and activities,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “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.”
Starting today, the City of Chicago will provide select rebates to cover costs associated with outdoor security camera systems, cloud storage for video footage, outdoor motion-sensor lighting, vehicle GPS trackers, and subscription costs. The program is open to all Chicago residents, businesses, religious institutions, and nonprofit organizations. Tenants are also welcome to apply for the rebate, provided they have received consent from the property owner.
Anyone who meets the eligibility criteria below may receive reimbursement for:
- Up to $225 per camera (cost of camera and tax only) for a maximum of 2 cameras, or a total $450 reimbursement
- One year of subscription costs for cloud-based video storage systems for a maximum of $150 per annual subscription
- Up to $100 per light (cost of light and tax only) for a maximum of 2 lights, or a total $200 reimbursement
- Up to $50 per vehicle GPS tracking device (cost device and tax only) for a maximum of 2 devices, or a total $100 reimbursement
- One year of subscription costs for GPS tracking applications as required for use by the vehicle GPS tracking device manufacturer up to $120
“We’ve been engaging with partners across the city and heard that residents, business owners, and community leaders want these resources. They want to help communities by increasing lighting and solving crimes,” said Tamara Mahal, CSCC Chief Coordination Officer. “We’re listening to community and working to reduce barriers and equip Chicagoans with the tools they need to protect their property and feel safe.”
All applicants who successfully complete their application will be reimbursed within 90 days after application approval. To be eligible for any qualifying rebates, the following requirements must be met:
- The applicant must be an owner or tenant of a property used as a primary residence, business, religious institution, or nonprofit organizations within the City of Chicago OR own or lease a vehicle registered to a primary address within the City of Chicago.
- The applicant must provide documentation that verifies proof of purchase.
- The applicant must provide photo documentation that verifies installation.
Applicants who are interested in aiding the Chicago Police Department (CPD) during criminal investigations have the option to register their camera system at chicagopolice.org/cameraregistration. Registration of the camera system location with the CPD is not required to participate in the Home and Business Protection Program.
For residents who decide to register their cameras, CPD will not have direct access to the camera system and cannot access camera footage without consent. By registering, residents simply allow CPD to request camera footage in the event of a crime. Residents reserve the right to refuse access to camera footage at all times.
“Working with our communities across Chicago is the only way we can strengthen public safety,” said Glen Brooks, CPD Director of Community Policing. “By registering your camera with CPD, it will help detectives solve crimes more efficiently and take violent offenders off the street quicker.”
The program is first-come, first-serve, and open to residents and business owners throughout Chicago. In order to ensure those who live in communities experiencing higher levels of violence have access to private security devices, the City will partner with community-based organizations to distribute private security equipment in the 15 communities that are considered priority based on historical trends of violence:
- 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 reimbursement. No rebates will be provided for private security equipment purchased prior to this date. Installation costs of cameras, lighting, and GPS tracking devices are also not eligible for reimbursement. Additional criteria for security camera, lighting, and vehicle GPS Tracking Device rebates can be found at Chicago.gov/HBPP.