Auburn Police Install License Plate Cameras to Reduce Crime

AUBURN, Washington — Auburn Police officials have announced they will install 20 license plate reading cameras to help solve crimes.

In a press release, police spokesman Kolby Crossley said the cameras built by Flock Safety would send a real-time alert to police when a stolen car or wanted suspect is detected from a state or national crime database.

The cameras can also send an alert when a vehicle is detected that is associated with a missing person from an Amber Alert or Silver Alert.

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The system is also intended to help solve crimes by providing police with the evidence they need to solve cases.

“According to the International Association of Chiefs of Police, 7 out of 10 crimes are committed with a vehicle,” Crossley wrote. “Flock Safety's LPR cameras capture license plates and vehicle features, not people or faces.”

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The ministry claims that the data will not be sold or passed on to third parties and that a “justification” is required for any search.

“The cameras are used to detect and reduce property and violent crime and are not intended for minor traffic or parking violations,” Crossley said.

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“Flock security cameras have become an indispensable tool in keeping the public safe,” added APD Chief Mark Caillier. “In the short time they have been in use in Auburn, they have been used in the recovery of several stolen vehicles as well as the location and arrest of two murder suspects.”

Flock Safety cameras are used in over 5,000 communities and the company works with more than 3,000 police departments.