Several municipalities in the Thumb area have begun using Flock Safety cameras to improve public safety, and the St. Clair County Sheriff’s office plans to install their system soon.
Flock Safety cameras provide 24/7 monitoring of roadways with technology that reads license plates and also, according to the manufacturer, gives officers the objective evidence they need to investigate and solve a crime.
The cameras have already helped solve crimes in St. Clair County, including the release of a kidnapping victim from East China in June of this year. In that case, police were able to locate the suspect’s car at an Ohio hotel after it was detected in the Flock Safety alert system which notifies law enforcement when a suspect’s vehicle is recognized by a camera.
St. Clair County Sheriff Mat King said the county’s Flock cameras will be installed soon, and he and fellow law enforcement officers feel positive about adding them to their tool kit.
King feels the cameras act as a “force multiplier” by providing stationary surveillance equivalent to having an officer stationed in that spot.
Flock Safety makes products for a variety of situations including neighborhood security, school safety, and private property, along with products designed for law enforcement agencies. They report a 70% reduction in crime where there cameras are employed.
Reporting for WGRT – Jessie Wiegand
