The Flock Safety Security System, Fayette County’s new license plate reading camera system intended to reduce crime, will be fully implemented by June, Police Chief Lawrence Weathers announced at an Apr. 18 press conference.
“We hope through the use of license plate readers, we will be able to solve crimes quicker and more efficiently,” Weathers said. “As a result, we hope to see a reduction in crime over time.”
Nine Flock cameras are already active in high-risk areas and have been used to solve cases involving domestic violence and vehicle theft. By the end of May, that number will increase to 25.
Flock cameras take still images of passing vehicles and are automatically checked against police databases for alerts and warrants. The images are then stored in the Flock database for 30 days unless the image is part of an investigation.
Weathers addressed public privacy concerns, stating that Flock cameras do not serve surveillance purposes or enforce traffic laws and only take pictures of license plates. Rights organizations such as the American Civil Liberties Union have inquired about the distribution of the cameras, including whether they will be disproportionate in minority neighborhoods. However, the locations of the cameras have been kept confidential.
“When you’re in the public using public infrastructure, these cameras have every right to be there, and people do not have the right to a particular kind of exemption from the license plate readers because they’re in public right of way,” Mayor Linda Gorton told the Lexington Herald-Leader.
Because Flock is a national agency, other police departments will have access to Lexington’s Flock database. Weathers stressed that using Flock evidence for personal gain is against the law.
“Our officers are required to enter a reason for any search, and regular audits will be conducted by the public integrity unit to ensure that the policy is being followed,” Weathers said.
Flock cameras are planned to be used for one year, with the potential for Lexington police to extend that usage in the spring of 2023.
