Sergeant reports March calls, recommends speed sign and Flock cameras; council asks for demonstration

Sergeant Garrett Dutson presented the Fairfield Sheriff’s Department report for March at the April 15 meeting, reporting approximately 15 general service calls and 21 traffic stops, most on Main Street, plus one alcohol-related violation, one motorist assist, two informational reports and one trauma-related call.

Dutson said deputies had identified the vehicle responsible for damage to a county-owned ballot box and that evidence left at the scene aided identification. He reported issuing a citation on the dirt road after a resident complaint and said some drivers appear to assume a speed limit no longer applies once pavement ends. He suggested installing a speed limit sign at the pavement-to-dirt transition point to improve compliance.

Dutson introduced the Flock camera system, describing it as capable of capturing images of vehicles (including license plates) with time and directional data and cited other jurisdictions where the system aided investigations. He estimated the cost at about $3,000 per camera per year (including maintenance) and suggested possible locations such as Highway 73 and Allen Ranch Road. Councilman Richard Cameron expressed hesitation about necessity; other members acknowledged potential investigative value. Mayor McKinney directed Dutson to arrange a demonstration at a future meeting. No formal action to purchase or install cameras was taken.