Wayne, NJ Privacy & Surveillance: Security Camera Rules (2026)

The Township Council adopted Article X of Chapter 25 by Ord. No. 48-2016. Section 25-49 states the purpose: footage from private outdoor cameras helps law enforcement investigate criminal activity near the camera, so the Township set up the Community Sharecam registry. It is open to all owners of private outdoor video surveillance cameras in Wayne Township, who register voluntarily with the Wayne Police Department.

Section 25-50 lists what the registry collects, citing N.J.S.A. 40:48-1.7b: the owner's name; the owner's most recent contact information, including street address and telephone number; the street address of the residence or business where the camera is installed; the number of cameras at that address; the outdoor areas the camera records; the means by which the footage is saved or stored and for how long; and any additional information the Wayne Police Department deems necessary.

Section 25-51 limits who sees the data. Registry information is for the exclusive use of law enforcement officials investigating criminal activity near the camera. It is not a public record under the state public records laws or common law, and it is not discoverable by any person, entity or governmental agency except on a grand jury subpoena or a court order in a criminal matter. A state, county or municipal law enforcement agency can contact a registered owner to ask for access to footage, but the owner is not required to submit it unless otherwise required by law.

The same section defines a private outdoor video surveillance camera as a device installed outside a residence or business that captures footage, for security purposes, of an area outside it, so the definition is built around exterior views. Section 25-52 adds that registering a camera waives no right granted under the United States Constitution or the New Jersey Constitution.