Police using Flock cameras to put the brakes on crime

Technology that can help track down stolen cars and missing people as well as solve other crimes may soon become more of a fixture in St. Joseph.

Flock Safety cameras can read license plates in real-time and provide alerts to law enforcement when a vehicle tied to a crime passes by. Using automated technology, the cameras can gather information like the make and model of the vehicle, its color and other distinguishable features.

The St. Joseph police department has been testing out the security cameras for about a year and has found success through their use. If approved by the St. Joseph City Council, more of the cameras will be installed around the city thanks to a grant of more than $33,000.

The funds will be used to buy 10 automated license plate reader systems and software from Flock Safety Group for use by the St. Joseph Police Department and Buchanan County Sheriff’s Office.

“It’s an excellent investigative tool and it’s something that blends in with other technology that you see around town,” said Sgt. Jeremy Peters with the St. Joseph Police Department. “People committing crimes are going to go about their day committing crimes as they would and we can use this as good follow-up information for us.”

However, officers stressed that the camera system does not record video or check motorists’ speeds. It is strictly used for crime-fighting purposes and does not track traffic violations.

“Our officers and our investigators can’t just go search a vehicle because they want to,” Peters said. “They need to have a legitimate investigative reason that’s documented whenever they use the system to track or search for a vehicle.”

The police department will not reveal where the cameras are located so they don’t interfere with detecting criminals. However, officers confirm they are dispersed across the city.