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Wake County Sheriff's Office launching community camera-sharing program
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Wake County Sheriff's Office launching community camera-sharing program

Posted: 7/9/2026, 9:15:41 AM

The Wake County Sheriff's Office is trying to build a community camera network to 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.

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.

Sasha Godwin, an intelligence unit manager with the sheriff's office, 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. 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 said.

Godwin said camera footage will only be used with people's explicit permission.

"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 three information sessions around the county starting Thursday. You can find a list of locations and dates below.

  • Location: Wake County Northern Regional Center
    • 350 E Holding Ave, Wake Forest, NC 27587
      • Date: Thursday, July 9, 2026
        • Time: 6 p.m. - 7 p.m.
        • 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.