Warren PD adds license plate reader technology – Macomb Daily
A month after getting body cameras for the first time, the Warren Police Department is adding another piece of high-tech equipment: automated license plate reading cameras from Flock Safety.
The cameras will be placed strategically around the city as part of a 60-day free trial test run after which time, Warren will enter into a contract with Flock Safety at a cost of $60,500 the first year and $55,000 annually in subsequent years.
Warren City Council approved the expenditure at its Sept. 27 meeting.
Another Macomb County community, Chesterfield Township, began using a similar system from Flock Safety earlier this year.
The cameras in Warren will send real-time alerts to police when a stolen vehicle or known wanted felony suspect vehicle enters the jurisdiction. They will also send alerts if a vehicle is associated with a missing person.
Each Flock Safety camera is solar powered and able to capture and process 30,000 vehicles per day. Flock Safety cameras will integrate with the police department’s existing Axon Evidence software, which helps officers manage and connect data including videos, photos and documents.
“We have the new Axon equipment in all of the scout cars and every car will have license plate readers ,” said Deputy Police Commissioner Robert Ahrens after the Council approved the purchase. “The Flock database meshes with the Axon system and will allow us to bring all of that information seamlessly together.”
Flock cameras have been installed at the Warren Manor apartment complex since August and those cameras will interact with the Warren PD’s cameras.
“This will allow us to get instant access to the Flock system at Warren Manor as well as local departments who have started to use this equipment, we will be able to interface with them also,” said Ahrens.
Gloss