Flock cameras have made an impact in Oglethorpe County.
The cameras, which were installed eight months ago, have assisted in 130 traffic tickets, seven arrests for suspended licenses and one arrest for a stolen vehicle in the past six months, 911 Director James Jackson said.
The solar-powered, motion-activated cameras are one of the newest technological advancements made by the Oglethorpe County Sheriff’s Office to address crime and increase safety.
“These cameras are a big tool for investigative purposes. … That is where they have really shined for us,” Jackson said.
He said flock cameras are programmed to photograph moving vehicles and collect vehicle data 24/7. That information is saved to a secure database, where it is held for up to 30 days and is only accessible by authorized personnel for investigative purposes.
Flock Safety technology allows law enforcement to search by make, color, type, license plate and unique details, such as bumper stickers to identify the vehicle in question.
The operating systems work alongside communities and law enforcement in 1,500-plus cities across 40 states through a platform, where data is shared.
Oglethorpe County Sheriff David Gabriel said his office has access to 10,000 cameras in Georgia, but wouldn’t disclose where they’re located in Oglethorpe County. The network helped law enforcement officers find two missing Oconee County juveniles in October 2021.
But not everyone is supportive of the cameras. Jackson, a key player in bringing Flock to Oglethorpe, said some residents have privacy concerns and feel the cameras are like “Big Brother.”
“We assure residents that the tag number data collected is very secure,” he said. “We are not using it to track the everyday individual. It is only used if we are investigating or if someone has committed a crime.”
Jackson said the cameras are similar to the old-school license plate reader technology that has been used for decades, but with notable improvements.
The cameras also are economical. Jackson said a Flock camera, at $4,500, costs roughly a third of the price of a traditional plate-reader, which costs $15,000.
“The cameras help us in a way that is not going to cost the taxpayers more every year,” he said.
The technology also allows law enforcement to monitor the roads of Oglethorpe’s 442 square miles without having an officer physically present. Much like the rest of the nation, Gabriel said Oglethorpe County faces a personnel shortage. This technology helps provide relief for the lack of officers or deputies.
“We can’t find deputies, we can’t find folks, so we have to find other ways to help us do what we do,” Gabriel said. “(Flock) saves thousands of man hours looking for stuff. It is an incredible tool.”