A recent request by the Orange County Sheriff’s Department for Yorba Linda to install license plate reader cameras throughout the 20-square-mile city has been approved on a unanimous City Council vote.
Council members awarded a $114,600 contract to the Atlanta-based Flock Safety company for the installation of 36 cameras on several of the city’s existing traffic signal and street light poles, as well as some newly installed poles in public rights-of way.
The law enforcement agency asked for the automated cameras “to improve the public safety services they provide to the community,” according to a report to council from Dave Christian, assistant city manager.
“Specifically, the cameras would enhance their ability to find stolen vehicles, find ‘persons-of-interest’ and conduct investigations,” Christian said, noting, “public safety has always been a top priority” for the city.
The Flock Safety cameras are unique, Christian said, because their user-interface software provides a simple search of the database with unlimited user licenses. With the software, law enforcement can receive hotlist alerts and create custom alerts for plates under investigation.
The company’s camera systems are used in more than 600 cities in 38 states, including 12 cities in Orange County, with Buena Park and Fullerton among them. Cameras also are used by homeowners associations, including at least two in Yorba Linda.
“It should be noted that all data will be transmitted in encrypted form directly from the cameras to the cloud stored where it can be accessed only by law enforcement for a period of one year,” Christian said.
The cameras do not include facial recognition, do not record video, only capture images of the rear of vehicles and are not used for red light infractions or moving violations, Christian said. Locations are strategic to best capture vehicles entering and leaving the city.
After an initial payment of $114,600 for the first year, ongoing annual…
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