RICHMOND, Va. — New expertise helps Richmond Police clear up extra crimes in some neighborhoods in River Metropolis, in response to division officers.
Flock cameras, a model of license plate recognition or LPR digital camera methods, are mounted on lengthy black poles with a digital camera connected to them.
WTVR
Main Ronnie Armstead of Richmond Police mentioned the cameras had been far more subtle than a safety digital camera. The license plate mentioned they’d a rear digital camera however they weren’t stay. In different phrases, Armstead mentioned, cameras do not file repeatedly and could be considered like taking footage.
“We pull it out and see if there’s a automobile on this space or we obtain information there, and in response to what you downloaded, the automobile could also be within the space, but when it passes by the world once more, it is going to catch it,” he mentioned.
WTVR
Officers mentioned the division acquired a $75,000 grant from the Virginia Police Chiefs Affiliation final yr to get the highest 10, which began as a trial. Armstead mentioned the division bought 26 extra as a result of officers discovered the expertise very efficient.
Armstead mentioned officers used the cameras to resolve crimes of auto theft, theft suspect automobile descriptions and gun taking pictures.
“We bought quite a bit from them,” he mentioned.
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WTVR
Armstead mentioned the cameras had been hung in high-crime neighborhoods and metropolis streets, however officers refused to share an inventory of particular places.
In accordance with Armstead, cameras are one of many instruments the division finds significantly essential for capturing crimes at a time of understaffing.
“The police are an extension of the military,” Armstead defined. “It empowers us as a result of, as I mentioned, like all organizations, we’re incomplete. Thus, it strengthens our strengths and reinforces what we do not have.”
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