Fountain Hills announces 'Fountain Hills Eyes' camera registry, expanded fire command and increased MCSO visibility

Mayor Jerry Bridal and public safety leaders announced a set of public safety changes and programs designed to improve response and community engagement.

Bridal described 'Fountain Hills Eyes,' a voluntary program in partnership with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office that allows residents to register exterior security cameras to help deputies identify whom to contact when a crime occurs. "This is completely voluntary and does not give law enforcement live access to any of your cameras," Bridal said, adding the program is meant to be a time‑saving tool for investigations.

The Fountain Hills Fire Department reported a restructuring of command with three designated battalion chief positions approved by the town council to better manage complex incidents and to support the town’s application for automatic aid with regional partners. Officials said automatic aid would allow neighboring agencies to respond automatically when they are the closest unit.

Captain Kevin Thomas, representing the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office for Fountain Hills, said deputies increased visibility in 2025 through mountain and bike patrols and recorded almost 3,000 traffic safety contacts — a 68% increase over the previous year — and that the office collected nearly 600 pounds in a drug take‑back event. Thomas also said the MCSO school resource officer helped reintroduce the DARE program in the Fountain Hills School District.

Officials framed the initiatives as voluntary and collaborative, and they stressed the privacy limitation that MCSO would not have live access to registered cameras.