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Police extend Flock Safety contract, run RFP and face questions after crime uptick reported at RNCC
Summary
RPD told neighborhood leaders it extended its Flock Safety ALPR contract through December while evaluating vendors; the department also reported month‑to‑month increases in several crime categories and answered questions about high call volumes at a large apartment complex in one neighborhood.
Richmond Police Chief Tim Simmons told the Richmond Neighborhood Coordinating Council on April 13 that the city extended the Flock Safety automatic license‑plate reader (ALPR) contract through December while the department finishes a vendor evaluation process.
"The council voted to extend our contract with Flock Safety through the end of December while I continue the RFP process to evaluate other vendors," Chief Simmons said, adding that seven companies responded to the RFP and three finalists will be invited to present to a cross‑departmental panel. The city attorney's office is still negotiating contract redlines to address data ownership, privacy protections and resident anonymity; once those are signed, Simmons said the city expects to reactivate cameras within about six to seven business days.
At the same meeting Lieutenant Donald Patchin presented month‑to‑month crime statistics showing increases in several categories: total index crimes rose by 260 incidents, violent crime rose by 42 incidents, thefts increased by about 184 and vehicle thefts rose by 34 (a 23% increase from year‑to‑date comparisons cited by his presentation). "Homicides were no change," Patchin said while walking through the figures.
Residents pressed police about hot spots. One neighborhood representative said the Lancaster (West Ridge/nearby complexes) area logged roughly 1,600 calls in several months. RPD acknowledged high call volumes for the region and said the number likely covered multiple neighboring complexes; police said management turnover, the addition of on‑site security and targeted enforcement have reduced some issues and that eviction of a small number of established occupants is underway. RPD said it is coordinating with the city prosecutor when property management fails to maintain safe conditions.
Why it matters: the ALPR procurement and the data‑use protections attached to any contract affect how the city balances surveillance for public safety with resident privacy. The apparent month‑to‑month increase in property and violent crimes also underscores neighborhood concern about public safety and service priorities.
What’s next: Simmons said he plans to return to city council in the summer with a recommended vendor and contract terms. RPD and neighborhood leaders said they will continue to coordinate about problem properties and report incidents through established channels.
