[HISTORY: Adopted by the Mayor and Council of the Town of
Secaucus 2-23-16 by Ord. No. 2016-5. Amendments noted where applicable.]
[Added 2-23-16 by Ord. No. 2016-5]
Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40:48-1, the Town of Secaucus is establishing
a voluntary registry of private outdoor video surveillance cameras
under the direction and maintenance of the Secaucus Police Department
in the interest of public safety. The purpose is to aid local law
enforcement in investigating criminal activity that occurred within
the vicinity of the camera's location in a timely, efficient
and effective manner.
[Added 2-23-16 by Ord. No. 2016-5]
A device installed outside a residence or business, which,
for security purposes, captures footage of an area outside the residence
or business.
A person who owns a residence or business within the Town
of Secaucus who registers a private outdoor video surveillance camera
with the Secaucus Police Department under this chapter.
[Added 2-23-16 by Ord. No. 2016-5]
A.Â
A person who owns a residence or business within the Town of Secaucus
may register a private outdoor video surveillance camera(s) with the
Secaucus Police Department on a registry form approved by the Chief
of Police. Registration of a private outdoor video surveillance camera
with the Secaucus Police Department is not required by this chapter
and does not constitute a waiver of any rights granted under the Constitutions
of the United States or the State of New Jersey.
B.Â
The following information shall be included in the private outdoor
video surveillance camera registry and obtained on registry forms
approved by the Chief of Police:
(1)Â
The name of the person who owns the camera(s);
(2)Â
The most recent contact information, including the street address
and telephone number of the person who owns the camera(s);
(3)Â
The street address of the residence or business where the camera(s)
is/are installed;
(4)Â
The number of cameras located at the residence or business;
(5)Â
The outdoor areas recorded by the camera(s);
(6)Â
The means by which the camera's footage is saved or stored,
and the duration of time for which the footage is saved or stored;
and
(7)Â
Any additional information deemed necessary by the Chief of Police
as set forth on the registry form.
[Added 2-23-16 by Ord. No. 2016-5]
A.Â
Information stored in the Secaucus Police Department's private
outdoor video surveillance camera registry and obtained on the registry
forms pursuant to this chapter shall be available for the exclusive
use by law enforcement officials to investigate criminal activity
within the vicinity of the camera's location(s). Information
stored in the registry or contained on the registry forms shall not
be considered a public record pursuant to N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq.,
N.J.S.A. 47:1A-5 et al., or common law concerning access to public
records. Further, said information shall not be discoverable as a
public record by any person, entity, or governmental agency, except
upon the issuance of a subpoena by a grand jury or a court order in
a criminal matter.
B.Â
The Secaucus Police Department, as well as any state, county, or
municipal law enforcement agency, may contact a person whose information
appears in the Town's private outdoor video surveillance camera
registry established pursuant to this chapter in order to request
access to any camera's footage which may assist in an investigation
of criminal activity that occurred within the vicinity of camera's
location(s). A registrant shall not be required to submit the camera's
footage to the Secaucus Police Department or any other law enforcement
agency, unless otherwise required by law.
C.Â
No fee shall be charged for the registration of a private outdoor
video surveillance camera(s) with the Secaucus Police Department.
A registrant may remove or change information contained in the registry
by contacting the Chief of Police in writing.
D.Â
The Secaucus Police Department shall verify and update registry information
with registrants as deemed necessary by the Chief of Police.
