The Salem City Council did not get a second to a motion Monday night to install six FLOCK license plate readers across the city. The council members didn’t appear to have a problem with the use of the cameras to assist in tracking vehicles involved in criminal activity, but were concerned the cameras were not budgeted and there would be no word on a grant being sought to cover much of the cost until July 1st.
Police Chief Todd Boles said he would bring the issue back when funding was available and said he understood the budgetary concerns.
Boles notes both Marion County and Centralia Police already have the systems and if Salem gets at least four of the units they will be able to join the nationwide network of police departments with the license plate readers. He says the readers do make a difference.
“Nationwide now, it’s up to about 10 percent of crimes that are solved by FLOCK,” Boles said. “Some agencies are reporting a 60 to 70 percent reduction in property crimes, up to 30 percent reduction in violent crimes. In Charleston, where I worked, the last time we tracked it, it was around 25 percent.”
Boles explained if the department is looking for a certain type of vehicle believed involved in criminal activity, they can use Artificial Intelligence built into the system to have it locate all vehicles matching the description that have passed by the cameras within any specific time period.
The total cost to lease the six units over two years is $43,500 if no grant assistance is available.
