CMPD has launched a program to register private security cameras, aiding investigations

As the number of cameras installed at homes and businesses continues to grow, Charlotte-Mecklenburg police have launched a security camera registry program to allow residents and business owners to share information about potential crimes.

CMPD launched Connect Charlotte earlier this year and says the program has been helpful for closing investigations at a few businesses. Residential camera owners can register their cameras. Business can integrate their cameras with the system.

When residents or business owners opt in to Connect, CMPD can more quickly locate the nearest cameras in a designated area during an emergency response or an investigation. For businesses with integrated cameras, they may choose to provide CMPD with a stream of video footage.

For people concerned about privacy, police say the program doesn’t allow access to cameras' live-streaming capabilities; CMPD can only access data from registered cameras by requesting it from the owner. But there is an option for business camera owners to integrate their cameras with a live-streaming option that is activated in certain emergency situations.

"For example, private businesses and schools may choose to only have their cameras accessible to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department officers when an emergency situation arises and they activate the live-streaming capability via a panic button," the department said in an online FAQ.

CMPD Sgt. Ryan Buckler said the program can also be helpful for residents who want to share tips discreetly when crimes happen in their area.

“Some people, they really want to help," Buckler said. "But they just don't want to be, maybe become a target in the neighborhood or be seen as cooperating. Unfortunately, that does exist, but this lets them do that very discreetly."