Police say the cameras can serve as a digital neighborhood watch. Critics also say Ring, a subsidiary of Amazon, appears to be marketing its cameras by stirring up fear of crime at a time when it's decreasing. Amazon's promotional videos show people lurking around homes, and the company recently posted a job opening for a managing news editor to "deliver breaking crime news alerts to our neighbors. ""Amazon is profiting off of fear," said Chris Gilliard, an English professor at Michigan's Macomb Community College and a prominent critic of Ring and other technology that he says can reinforce race barriers. Part of the strategy seems to be selling the cameras "where the fear of crime is more real than the actual existence of crime. "The cameras offer a wide view from wherever they are positioned. Homeowners get phone alerts with streaming video if the doorbell rings or the device's heat sensors detect a person or a passing car. Ring's basic doorbell sells for $99, with recurring charges starting at $3 a month for users who want footage stored. Ring says it stores the recordings for two months. Many law enforcement agencies nationwide said the idea to partner with Ring came after the company promoted its product at law enforcement conferences. Some departments have chosen to simply use Ring's Neighbors app, which encourages residents to share videos of suspicious activity.

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Back in Wolcott, Ernie Field won a free Ring camera and said he had to register for the app to qualify for the raffle.

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However, if you want cloud video recording, cellular backup, etc, all add on services will require an additional monthly fee.

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