Galesburg appears ready to implement a new automated license plate recognition system that local law enforcement say will help them track down cars involved in crimes.
Interim City Manager John Schlaf and Police Chief Russ Idle are recommending the city purchase five LPR cameras to install in various parts of Galesburg. Cost of the Flock Safety Falcon cameras is $19,750.00. Alderman will vote on the proposal at Monday’s City Council meeting.
In June, Galesburg City Council heard a presentation from a Flock Safety representative on how the cameras would benefit the community.
City officials say the LPR cameras are an effective crime prevention tool.
According to Galesburg Police Chief Russ Idle, the cameras are used to document license plates on vehicles that pass by the fixed camera. The plate numbers are stored in a computer system for 30 days and then deleted. Any data flagged as necessary for an active criminal investigation may be manually retained.
LPR camera data is used to locate and identify vehicles used in the commission of crimes. They also give real time alerts on stolen vehicles and vehicles associated with criminal activity.
Data from vehicles not identified as being used in criminal activity is not accessed.
The company describes the Flock Safety Falcon product as an infrastructure-free license plate reader camera that utilizes Vehicle Fingerprint® technology to capture vehicular attributes.
There are numerous agencies in the region and across the country that utilize Flock LPR systems. These agencies have the ability to share data and camera access to increase the coverage area of the system. Some agencies currently using Flock include Peoria, Moline and Quincy.
Idle previously told WGIL that LPR cameras have been useful in solving many crimes including motor vehicle theft, robberies and gun crimes.
Funding for the cameras would come from the general fund out of the police department budget ($11,500) and out of the special enforcement funds ($8,250).
The two-year contract total would be $34,750.00