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Freeport police preview Flock license-plate readers, gunshot detection and video for city
Summary
The Freeport Police Department presented a proposal to evaluate Flock public-safety cameras, LPR and gunshot-detection technologies as possible replacements for the city’s current systems; the council asked for more detail and budget estimates and did not vote on procurement.
The Freeport Police Department on Monday presented a nonbinding proposal to explore Flock’s combined license-plate reader (LPR), live video and gunshot-detection systems as an option when existing contracts expire in 2027.
Chief Schimberger told council members the department already uses Vigilant (Motorola) LPR cameras and ShotSpotter (SoundThinking) gunshot detection and that those contracts continue through 2027. He said staff has been meeting with Flock representatives to evaluate a single integrated platform that would include cloud storage and equipment replacement in a per‑camera subscription.
Flock representative Blaine Thomas described the company’s products and emphasized three points: (1) the system flags license plates and vehicle characteristics and links those hits to a nationwide Flock camera network; (2) live video analytics can detect people and vehicles and provide situational awareness; and (3) gunshot detection is most accurate when it can be triangulated to a small area. Thomas said data retention on Flock’s standard offering is 30 days and that a public transparency portal can display local policies and who has access to data.
Council members questioned civil‑liberties safeguards and technical details. Alderman (last name) raised the October 2024 lawsuit against Flock and asked what protections prevent routine plate lookups. Thomas said every search leaves an audit trail and that the company has a legal team available for more detailed questions. Alderman Clem and others asked how Flock would be operated and who would have access; Thomas said the police department would manage access and could grant it to other agencies at its discretion.
Chief Schimberger said the city could consider grant funding and plan for a transition once existing contracts expire; he described the presentation as exploratory and said there was no purchase or funding request at the meeting. Council members asked for pricing and for written budgetary quotes and copies of Flock’s proposed contract and privacy safeguards before any procurement decision. No motion or vote on procurement was taken at the meeting.
Council members also discussed operational details: whether Flock would replace existing systems and whether cameras would be pole‑ or solar‑mounted; Thomas said Flock installs infrastructure‑free solar poles where feasible but can also mount on utility poles subject to permission and fees. Thomas estimated a per‑camera subscription “around $3,000” for a standard unit but said prices vary by model and site specifics.
Next steps identified by the council: staff will obtain written quotes and technical requirements from Flock, provide comparative information about the existing Vigilant and SoundThinking contracts that run to 2027, and circulate information on audit, retention and public‑access policies. Any procurement would return to council for budget approval.
Ending: The council did not take formal action Monday. Schimberger said staff would continue discussions with Flock and bring back cost estimates and draft policies for council review.
