In less than a month, the Wake County Sheriff's Office will officially launch a community camera network it says will more quickly track down footage to solve crimes.
Doorbell cameras and other surveillance equipment has become a common sight in neighborhoods across the country, and law enforcement agencies see the widespread adoption of these cameras as an opportunity.
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The Wake County Sheriff’s Office announced this week it is launching its new "Connect Wake" camera-sharing program that will allow people to register their home or business security cameras with the agency.
The move is similar to the camera-sharing programs run in Raleigh and Fayetteville, but stops short of giving deputies direct access to footage. Instead, it provides them with an interactive map of registered residential and business cameras along with contact information that makes it easier for deputies identify potential video evidence sources when crimes happen.
Thursday, WCSO held its first public information session before the program's launch. Although no members of the public attended, WRAL got clarity on several issues regarding the technology's rollout.
For example, investigators said that videos shared by homeowners with the agency would not automatically be turned over to other law enforcement agencies as part of any active investigation.
Camera footage will only be used with people's explicit permission.
Although there is a time limitation to when investigators may have access videos, footage that leads to charges and an arrest may be saved and eventually become part of a case's discovery.
Sasha Godwin, an intelligence unit manager with the sheriff's office, previously said the map will help them track suspects down faster.
"You're not providing us with your camera footage in live action or any of those things," Godwin said. "It's just telling us where your camera is, and then we'll reach out and ask you if you want to share it. You go into your camera program, you download the footage, and then you share that back with us. At no point do we access your information."
Godwin also said the agency is battling misinformation from the public, with people connecting the 'Connect Wake' initiative to Flock traffic camera technology.
Investigators also said that Raleigh-area residents could technically be a part of both video sharing programs for the Raleigh Police Department and the Wake County Sheriff's Office.
If investigators actually believed a homeowner's camera footage could help in a case, program participants would receive a "No Reply" email from a verified Wake County Sheriff's Office account instructing them how to view and fulfill a video request.
However, sharing of said video would still be in the hands of the camera's owner.
"All the business or resident is providing to us is that the location of their address, how many cameras they may have, whether they are interior or exterior, and then we will reach out. That's it. That's all it is."
The sheriff's office will be holding two more information sessions on the program. The program goes live on Aug. 5, the last of the information sessions.
Location: Wake County Southern Regional Center
- 130 N Judd Pkwy NE, Fuquay-Varina, NC 27526
- Date: Monday, July 20, 2026
- Time: 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
Location: Wake County Eastern Regional Center
- 1002 Dogwood Dr, Zebulon, NC 27597
- Date: Wednesday, August 5, 2026
- Time: 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.