Branson Police add license plate reading cameras to solve crime, multiple successes reported
The Branson Police Department recently installed automated license plate reading (ALPR) cameras to solve and reduce crime in the city after receiving a federal grant for violent crime prevention. The new cameras are built by Flock Safety, the public safety technology company that helps neighborhoods, communities and law enforcement work together to fight crime.
Flock Safety ALPR cameras send a real-time alert to law enforcement when stolen cars or known wanted suspect from a state or national crime database is detected. They also send alerts if a vehicle associated with a missing person in an AMBER or Silver Alert is detected.
The Branson Police Department has already experienced multiple successes in the fight against crime with the help of the new Flock Safety camera system and is sharing their recent successes with the community:
One successful stolen vehicle recovery from an out-of-state theft
One successful arrest for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender warrant
Two successful Branson suspect vehicles located and apprehended for stealing crimes
The Flock Safety system also helps law enforcement solve crimes by providing the objective evidence needed for investigations. According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, seven in 10 crimes are committed with a vehicle.
Flock Safety ALPR cameras capture license plates and vehicle characteristics, not people or faces. Each search requires a justification, and the data is never sold or shared with third parties. The cameras are used to solve and reduce property and violent crime, and are not intended for minor traffic or parking violations.
Branson Police Chief Eric Schmitt states, "We are excited to partner with Flock Safety and look forward to this system to help us in our goal of making Branson safer. One of the main reasons we chose Flock was because of their cost effective programs for Home Owners Associations and businesses, which serves as a force multiplier for Branson PD. We will be striving to grow this program by encouraging Branson entities to consider adding these systems to their areas."
Flock Safety cameras are in use in thousands of cities across the country, and the company works with over 2,000 police departments. Communities using Flock Safety ALPR have reported crime reductions of up to 70%.
"At Flock Safety, we believe in building strong bonds between police departments and the citizens they pledge to protect, and we're proud to partner with Branson Police Department to help them in the pursuit of public safety," said Garrett Langley, CEO of Flock Safety.
If you have any questions about the Branson PD’s partnership with Flock Safety, or if your business would like information on Flock's commercial programs to get Flock cameras for your business and help us combat crime, email. police@bransonmo.gov.
To learn more about Flock Safety and their mission to eliminate crime, visit: www.flocksafety.com.