EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Police agencies have used cameras and Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) technology to help solve crimes, especially when an automobile has been used. ALPR technology has continued to evolve and has become less cost prohibitive. Traditional ALPR systems included expensive fixed camera locations or mobile devices mounted on patrol cars. The Carmel Police Department currently uses mobile ALPRs for parking management and is now looking to expand this beneficial tool to fixed locations throughout the ingress and egress locations of the city.
BACKGROUND
The Carmel Police Department is constantly looking for new opportunities and cutting-edge technology to support our public safety measures. Some of the most proven effective preventative and investigative tools available to police departments are license plate reader cameras.
The Flock safety automated license plate reader (ALPR) system is a deployment of cameras throughout the city to serve as an additional investigative resource for the police department. The flock safety lease proposed here would include twenty-four (24) Falcon ALPR cameras and six (6) Wing software overlays on existing cameras. The twenty-four (24) Cameras would be strategically spread throughout the ingress and egress areas of the city. Flock safety’s camera system captures the date, time, location, license plate number, license plate state, vehicle details (type and color), as well as objects (bicycles). The vehicle also alerts the Police Department when the system identifies a stolen or wanted vehicle within second.
The key benefits of Flock Safety are that they charge an annual flat rate lease per camera of $2500, which is wireless, free of infrastructure set up, and has the option for solar or direct power. They also include a two-year warranty, criminal justice information services compliant cloud-based hosting, unlimited user licenses, ongoing software enhancements, camera set up, mounting, shipping, handling, and a cellular connection. The flock lease program prevents the city from being burdened with maintaining costly equipment at the end of the agreement, which could require replacement.
Flock safety provides a desirable approach to deploying ALPR cameras throughout the community. Unlike other fixed or mobile ALPR devices, the flock system provides the ability to cover more areas of the city with system maintenance provided by the vendor rather than the staff. The flock safety system is an all-inclusive model for deploying the ALPR cameras within the ingress and egress areas of the city. There are several other differences between flock safety and other ALPR companies. Most notably, they are the only manufacturer and service provider that leases ALPR services. Compared to others, which require the purchase of equipment. The technology is also different because the falcon camera system captures motion and not just the license plate of the vehicle. Flock is also the only ALPR system partnered with Evidence.com which is our current evidence storage system for the police department.
It is believed that the entire peninsula is either exploring Flock Safety or has signed contracts for Flock Safety to be installed in their cities to assist with crime prevention. Due to multiple surrounding police agencies investing in flock safety, Carmel would benefit from sharing and accessing data from other cities should a crime take place. Flock Safety would only be used for criminal investigations and serve as a deterrent to crime. Flock Safety does not share data, and all data is only retained for 30 days. Data would only be used for crime vehicles that are uploaded to the database and when investigating crimes. The system does not capture occupants in vehicles or obtain personal information. Once purchased, we will implement a policy to support the program and the privacy of those not associated with crimes. Flock safety has data that indicates significant reductions in violent crime throughout the nation.
The Carmel Police Department will not share any data with law enforcement agencies for purposes outside of solving criminal activity or locating vehicles on the “hotlist” (stolen cars, missing persons, crime vehicles). The system is not designed to capture human beings, nor will the system be used for random checks of vehicles. All inquiries and entries into our system will be login protected an officer must identify who they are and why they are checking data in the system. We will only maintain data in the cloud for 30 days and we will not authorize Flock Safety to share our data. The intention is to keep Carmel safe through objective, fair, and ethical measures.
The price for Flock Safety cameras will increase in April 2023 from $2500 per camera to $3000. We recommend City Council approve a two-year contract to lock us at a lower rate before the price increase takes effect.
To continue our efforts to enhance the safety of our community, we strongly believe this technology will deter crime and assist our officers in responding to and solving crime in a more expedient manner.