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Fort Pierce approves $1.83 million expansion of license-plate readers and gunshot-detection pilot
Summary
The City of Fort Pierce approved a five-year expansion of Flock Safety services, including additional license-plate readers, cameras and a gunshot-detection pilot covering roughly 1.5 miles; city staff said the system has helped investigators and will be funded from the city's capital fund, spread over five years.
The Fort Pierce City Commission on Oct. 21 approved a multi-year agreement to expand Flock Safety license-plate readers, cameras and a gunshot-detection pilot area after staff described past successes and outlined how the technology would operate.
Captain Jason, the police captain who presented system details, told the commission the department has used the vendor's license-plate readers for two years and credited the system with aiding a criminal investigation last fall. "That vehicle was identified through their flock system," he said, describing an instance in which detectives tracked a suspected vehicle and located a convicted felon in possession of an illegal firearm.
City officials outlined the expanded package as a combination of cameras, additional plate-readers and gunshot-detection sensors covering roughly one and a half miles. According to staff, the gunshot detectors use an AI-enabled sensor network that can confirm a gunshot and provide a location within approximately a 90-foot radius; cameras can automatically slew to a detected event and send alerts to officers' mobile terminals.
Commissioners asked about cost, funding source and the future scale of the program. The clerk read the contract summary into the record: a first-year cost of $409,350, years two through five at $354,100 each, for a total not to exceed $1,825,750. Staff said the expense will come from the city's capital fund and be spread over five years. Several commissioners asked the department to provide an extrapolation of future costs and to include the full five-year funding scenario as staff pursues potential federal grants.
Supporters framed the expansion as a response to specific criminal incidents and community requests. Commissioner C Johnson said residents sometimes feel intimidated to come forward and that technology can allow the city to act on limited identifying details: "Something as small as color of the car, partial plates... will help us in our current technology investment," she said.
The motion to approve the safety agreement carried on a roll-call vote with all members voting yes. Staff said the department will provide additional cost extrapolations and pursue federal funding opportunities as directed by the commission.
The city did not record any formal public opposition during the meeting; the item was discussed by commissioners and police staff before being approved.
