Normal has approved a five year contract locking them into purchasing Flock Automatic License Plate Reader Data for five years. The cost will be $357,500 at $71,500 annually.
According to the staff report presented to the town council, using “ALPR cameras for an additional five years will ensure the Normal Police Department continues to have the technology needed to capture the objective evidence- vehicle and license plates- to prevent, investigate and solve crime. The ALPR cameras connect to law enforcement databases of wanted and stolen vehicles, as well as the database for Amber and Silver alerts.”
“We were in the unique position that Flock safety offered us an opportunity to stay locked in to what they called their legacy pricing,” said Police Chief Stephen Petrilli. “So we were able to secure a five year agreement for what we had initially paid for the cameras and lock that in through 2028.”
“We got a better deal than what we are paying today,” said City Manager Pam Reece. “It makes sense.”
“The cameras have really lived up to their billing,” Petrilli said. “Flock has been a great partner. Anytime we have had any issues they have been taken care of really quickly.”
According to Petrilli the biggest pushback that the town received was from community stakeholders that were concerned about making sure that the data would be used appropriately. He believes that the policies the department put in place addressed those concerns. A recent review of those policies by Cities 92.9 found them to be the best in the county.
Petrilli said the cameras have helped solve a myriad of crimes including shootings, stolen vehicles and retail thefts. They have also helped locate missing persons he said.
“Ultimately when we implemented the technology, it’s been seamless,” said Petrilli.
“It’s become an integral part of our daily operations,” said Petrilli . We are using this technology every single day and officers are now relying on it on the street.”
