Sunbury police: new Flock cameras installed; department warns residents about icy retention ponds

Sergeant Holden reported to Sunbury City Council on Jan. 15 that the police department has installed Flock camera systems at three locations to assist investigations and to notify officers of wanted persons and vehicles entering or exiting the city.

"This is this data is only what it held for 30 days, and it's not a livestream system," Sergeant Holden said, emphasizing that the system does not continuously stream video. The department said the systems communicate with other agencies' networks to alert for matches to wanted persons or vehicles.

On operational matters, Sergeant Holden said Detective Smith is traveling out of state to follow up on an extensive investigation; the department will provide updates after his return. The police building experienced a drain backup that caused minor flooding; wastewater and street-department crews responded and limited damage, the sergeant said.

The department also described a new drop-kit flotation device for water rescues; Officer Ramirez will present more details during the department’s annual review in February. Holden said the department has observed an "uptick in calls of juveniles that are out on bodies of water" and warned that ice typically takes "3 plus weeks to form to be able to hold somebody's body weight," noting weak points and urging adults to warn children. The sergeant said the department responded to at least one water rescue this winter.

Council members asked whether the drain backup caused financial damage to the police station; Sergeant Holden said the damage was minor and quickly addressed by other city crews.