During a recent government meeting, Assistant Chief of Police Rod Snippen introduced Christina Cloud, a community affairs manager from Flock, a public safety technology company. Cloud provided an overview of Flock's automatic license plate recognition (ALPR) system, designed to enhance community safety through advanced technology.

Founded in 2017, Flock aims to address the increasing strain on law enforcement resources by offering tools that assist in crime prevention and investigation. The ALPR system, which consists of solar-powered, motion-activated cameras, captures vehicle information rather than personal data, ensuring compliance with privacy laws. The system alerts officers in real-time when a stolen or wanted vehicle is detected, with data automatically deleted after 30 days unless used in an investigation.

Cloud emphasized the ethical use of Flock's technology, stating that it does not involve facial recognition or tracking individuals. The company maintains strict privacy safeguards, ensuring that all footage belongs to the city and is not shared or sold. Flock also provides a transparency portal for the community to monitor how the system is utilized, including metrics on vehicle detection and searches conducted by law enforcement.

The effectiveness of Flock's ALPR system was highlighted through various success stories from law enforcement agencies in Washington. For instance, Yakima reported receiving alerts for 596 stolen vehicles and locating 33 missing persons within a year of implementing the system. Additionally, Cloud shared a case where the system helped identify a suspect in an assault, leading to an arrest.

Overall, the meeting underscored the potential of Flock's technology to enhance public safety while balancing privacy concerns, positioning it as a valuable resource for law enforcement agencies in the community.