The Flock Safety Program has come to Quincy.
No, it has nothing to do with birds. The program consists of cameras watching traffic coming in and out of Quincy.
This is one of the latest tools Quincy Police Department is using to help them keep the crime rate low.
Last year, Quincy purchased six new Flock cameras at a cost of $2,500 per year each plus a $15,000 yearly cost for monitoring these cameras. These cameras scan and record every vehicle license plate that enters the city. If they spot a car reported from an amber alert for an abducted child, a silver alert with a lost elderly person, a criminal with a warrant out for arrest, or even someone with an expired tag, it will alert the Quincy Police Department of the problem and where they can locate the car.
Quincy joins about 3,500 other communities across the country that are using the Flock program for crime prevention and enforcement.
Some of these communities are reporting up to a 70% reduction in crime rates due to this program. These cameras will actually give visual proof and recordings which will make arrests and prosecution easier for police. As an added benefit, these cameras will report any incident of gunshots and provide their location. This program will effectively give the police department extra “eyes” watching over the city so they have extra time to do other jobs to protect our citizens.
Interim Police Chief Carlos Hill reports that several stolen cars have already been confiscated, a couple of drivers with warrants out for their arrests, and several people with suspended licenses have been reported by the Flock Safety cameras.
According to City Manager, Rob Nixon, “The City of Quincy is committed to utilizing the best police officers and technology to keep our communities safe. The expansion of the Flock camera system across Quincy will greatly enhance the police department’s ability to deter crime, surveil areas prone to criminal activities, and provide a means for us to deploy public safety resources quickly.”
Paula Phillips – Gadsden County News Service