The Gahanna Division of Police is proud to announce the installation of Flock Safety cameras throughout the City as part of its dedication to public safety. These crime-fighting cameras will serve as added tools for officers as they work to solve and prevent crimes more efficiently.
The Flock Safety cameras use Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPR) which capture images of license plates and vehicles. The computerized system automatically compares the plate numbers to a list of wanted vehicles that have been entered into a crime database. The ALPR cameras then provide real-time alerts to officers when a stolen vehicle or one associated with a known suspect is spotted. The cameras can also help to potentially determine what vehicles were connected to the commission of a crime.
“The Gahanna Division of Police is always working to make the City a safe place to live, work and play,” said Chief Jeff Spence. “Part of that work includes implementing modern technologies that aid in the prevention of crime and assist our detectives in solving crimes. These ALPR devices will help to ensure a safe community, just as they have done in thousands of communities across the country.”
The purchase of 21 Flock Safety cameras was approved by City Council as part of the 2024 Capital Improvement Plan. So far, three of the cameras have been installed, and they are already proving to be fruitful. Last week, they assisted in the identification of a theft suspect.
“We are excited to add Flock Safety’s ALPR cameras to our city in an effort to improve the overall safety of the community,” said Public Safety Director Tim Becker. “Leveraging technology allows our officers to be more efficient and more effective, allowing more time to focus on the population we serve.”
The cameras will be strategically placed throughout Gahanna to maximize efficiency in their use. ALPR devices do not include facial recognition abilities and do not capture personally identifiable information. Data collected by the cameras is stored by Flock and deleted every 30 days. This allows investigators to use collected footage solely for investigative purposes. Collected data is not shared with third parties.