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Council approves 13 fixed and one mobile Flock cameras for Oroville; chief cites crime and levy damage
Summary
Oroville approved a two‑year contract to add 13 fixed license‑plate readers and one mobile camera to an existing Flock Safety network, which police said will help detect stolen vehicles and crimes in hard‑to‑reach areas. Council discussed lease vs. purchase and strategic placement for maximum coverage.
The OROVILLE CITY COUNCIL on Tuesday authorized a two‑year contract to add 13 fixed cameras and one mobile camera from Flock Safety to the cityʼs existing network.
Police staff said the cameras will fill gaps in areas that are difficult to patrol, including the levee, and will work alongside existing systems. The chief said some current equipment — a separate shot‑detection system described in the record as the Raven system — is not performing optimally; the plan is to reduce reliance on that system and offset some costs with the new Flock agreement.
Council discussion focused on operational placement and long‑term costs. Councilmember Thompson and others praised the effectiveness of the license‑plate reading system for locating stolen vehicles and assisting investigations; one councilmember asked that the city examine purchasing equipment at a later date to reduce recurring lease costs. Chief Wines confirmed the proposed arrangement would be a lease and that staff would explore a purchase option in the future.
A member of the public who identified himself as a local cameraman urged strategic placement of the devices — for example, at County Center Drive and other entry roads — and cautioned against redundant locations. Supporters cited specific instances in which the cityʼs detection network aided a shooting investigation and helped identify vehicles that drove through town.
Council voted to approve the agreement with Flock Safety for 13 fixed cameras and one mobile trailer unit; the motion passed 6–0 with one absence. The staff presentation described the purchase as an initial phase; staff said the city could expand the network in additional phases if the initial deployment is effective.
