Monroe Township (Middlesex County), NJ Privacy & Surveillance: Security Camera Rules (2026)

Chapter 87 of the Monroe Township Code, adopted by the Township Council 11-7-18 by Ord. No. O-10-2018-034, creates a Security Camera Voluntary Registry. Section 87-1 defines a video surveillance camera as a device installed outside a residence or business which, for security purposes, captures footage of an area outside of the residence or business. Section 87-2 authorizes the registry for the sole purpose of assisting law enforcement investigations of criminal activity occurring within the vicinity of the camera locations, and states that registering a camera does not waive any rights under the United States Constitution, the New Jersey Constitution or any other law.

Under § 87-3, an individual or business fills out an application form available at the Monroe Township Police Department or through the Police Department website. The form asks for 11 items: the registrant's name, the address of the residence or business, contact information such as a telephone number and e-mail address, the type of property (residential or commercial), the recording period (motion sensor, constant, business hours only), whether images or video are saved to a DVR style device, the duration of data storage, a description of the areas recorded, third party monitoring, whether the registrant will grant access to the Police Department if needed, and whether the registrant is proficient in memorializing or downloading data.

Section 87-4 limits who sees the list. The registry is for the exclusive use of the Monroe Township Police Department and other law enforcement officials investigating criminal activity near a camera. The Police Department can request footage when appropriate for criminal investigative purposes, but granting access is entirely voluntary and registering conveys no rights to the footage. Camera locations are confidential, are not disclosed to the general public, and the registry is not a public record under N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. Section 87-5 removes a camera from the registry on the registrant's written request to the Police Department at any time.