AKRON, Ohio — Akron City Council is reopening the application process for its free Ring doorbell program, which was created as an effort to deter neighborhood crime and package theft.
Applications for the program will open on Wednesday, July 24, at 8 a.m. for both homeowners and renters who live in the following Akron wards:
- Ward 1
- Ward 3
- Ward 5
The application, which can be found HERE, will close on Thursday, July 25, at 4 p.m.
Distribution is limited to one camera per applicant/household. Those who received a Ring camera previously are not eligible to participate in this phase.
All applicants will be notified by email of their application status and the cameras will be distributed during scheduled hours at the offices of Akron City Council.
"To date, 74% of the 3,000 cameras awarded have been distributed," said Akron City Council in a press release, "Residents continue to respond favorably to being awarded a camera through this public safety initiative."
Here are the rules associated with getting one of the free doorbell cameras as outlined on the application page:
- Applicant agrees that the device will be timely installed, and remain, at the property identified in the application.
- The unit will not be utilized in any manner inconsistent with applicable law and will not be utilized for any criminal or commercial endeavor.
- Applicant will abide by all terms and conditions of use imposed by Ring (the vendor).
- Applicant will not sell, transfer, alter, or destroy the unit.
- Applicant will timely create a Ring account and will use his/her/their best efforts to notify the City and/or provide it with access to footage for law enforcement review suspected or actual criminal activity that does, or could, rise to the level of a felony.
- Applicant shall not in any way obstruct or object to the City’s request to review Ring footage so long as the Akron Police Department reasonably believes it is necessary to the investigation of an actual or potential felony crime.
- Upon acceptance of the unit, the City shall have no further cost or responsibility to install, operate, or maintain the unit, and that these responsibilities are solely that of the applicant.
- Applicant shall ensure that the unit operates consistently and shall maintain the unit in good and operable condition to the fullest extent reasonably possible, for at least the lesser period of: a) 2 years from the date or install, or b) date of transfer of legal title to the property.
- Titled legal owner must notify the City, in advance, of any planned change in ownership to the property in writing.
- In the event any of the terms and conditions of Ring and/or Akron Smart Neighborhood Watch Program application/registration are violated, Applicant will/may be responsible for returning the unit or remitting the cost of the unit to the City.
- Applicant will waive and hold City harmless from any damage, loss, injury, or death that results from, or is related to, this Ring program and/or the installation and use of the Ring product.