Flock license plate readers coming to Washington
The Washington Police Department will trial Flock license plate reader cameras at city intersections for a year to aid crime investigations, with no plans for traffic enforcement. The technology, installed at no cost, will capture vehicle data to generate leads for cases like robberies and vehicle thefts, though its long-term adoption depends on trial results.
The Washington Police Department will test Flock license plate reader cameras at several city intersections for a year-long trial, starting immediately. The technology, provided free by security company Flock, will capture license plate data and vehicle descriptions as cars pass through intersections, serving as an investigative tool for solving crimes without issuing traffic tickets. Police say the cameras will not be used for speed enforcement or citations but will help track suspect vehicles in cases like robberies, kidnappings, and missing persons. The department currently relies on neighboring jurisdictions’ camera systems but expects direct access to local data will improve case outcomes. Detective Brady Stallings noted the high traffic volume in Washington makes the trial valuable, as Flock agreed to install the cameras without cost. Similar systems in other communities have aided investigations, and Washington officials will evaluate the trial’s effectiveness before deciding on permanent use. The trial’s success hinges on whether the data proves useful in solving crimes, with no plans to extend the cameras’ purpose beyond law enforcement. City leaders will review results after one year to determine if the technology becomes a permanent fixture in crime-fighting efforts.
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