Crime And Law

Bellefontaine police latest area department to install license plate reading cameras

BELLEFONTAINE — Another area police department is in the process of adding license plate reading cameras as part of a crime deterrent and aid in solving crimes.

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Bellefontaine police will begin installation Friday of a new Flock Safety license plate reading cameras to help officers identify vehicles and people who may be wanted, Bellefontaine Police Chief Brandon Standley said in a media release. Installation and implementation of the cameras is expected by the end of April.

The Automated License Plate Reading (ALPR) cameras capture passing vehicles and identify the make, vehicle type, color, license plate, license plate state, and unique vehicle features like roof rack, trailer hitch, tinted windows, Standley said. The goal is to use the system as both a proactive and reactive tool for fighting crime by using the system’s alerts to deliver real-time alerts as potential suspect vehicles in crimes or when Amber or missing adult alerts are issued.

“This technology will help keep our community safer. Without a doubt, this system will provide the needed support our patrol officers need on a daily basis. We’re excited to launch this soon and begin utilizing it,” Standley said.

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The system will not be used for traffic enforcement and does not include facial recognition abilities. Footage is securely stored and is automatically deleted every 30 days. Any search of the system used by law enforcement requires an auditable search justification, Standley said.

Bellefontaine is the latest community to add the license plate reading system. West Carrollton and Kettering recently announced they will buy and install the system, joining Centerville and Vandalia who already use it.

Around 1,500 cities across the country currently use the Flock Safety system with the company claiming the cameras can reduce crime by up to 70 percent, according to a brief on the system.

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