Residential Camera Maps Aid County Safety Efforts

Anne Arundel, Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Baltimore City lead the way with programs where residents can voluntarily register the location of their doorbell cameras with local law enforcement. The maps allow investigators to locate a residence in the area of an incident to request and, if approved, receive footage from the residential camera.

The Anne Arundel County Police Department recently joined Montgomery, Prince George’s, and Baltimore City in establishing programs that map the locations of residential cameras. Community members have the option to register their doorbell camera through the county website. The information is then mapped, allowing investigators and first responders to reference it as an incident or investigation unfolds. This process simply lets law enforcement know the address where the camera is located as well as the contact information so investigators can reach out and request footage.

 

Registering a camera is voluntary and does not require homeowners to hand over footage when asked. They still would be required to agree to release the footage to authorities. The registration also does not allow law enforcement to view live footage or stream live video feeds from the cameras. Programs such as the one in Montgomery even offer incentives like reimbursements for individuals who purchase, install, and register cameras in high crime locations. Similar programs have been popping up all over the country, recognizing the crime-solving potential and improved outcomes for concerned residents.

Legislation in Maryland has sought to establish pilot programs that encourage residential camera registries and information sharing. These were HB 1045, HB 912, and HB 283 which were introduced from 2023 through 2025 and spearheaded by Delegate Caylin Young of District 45 in Baltimore City. The version of the bill from 2023 actually including a $5M appropriation from the Governor and a number of additional co-sponsors. At the time these bills did not pass the legislature.

In some versions, these proposals have included grant programs that support the distribution of free cameras to individuals in high-crime areas but also to those who might not otherwise be able to afford them. Other bills, such as HB 942 from 2024, have taken it another step further and attempted to incentivize participants by offering rewards if an individual volunteered information that lead to the resolution of an active case.