‘It’s always better to work smarter, not harder;’ Middletown police installing Flock cameras

MIDDLETOWN — Middletown Police will install 26 Flock camera license plate readers through the City of Middletown in August, the city said in a media release.

The cameras will be designed to assist the police department in locating stolen vehicles, missing persons, Amber Alerts, and other crimes involving a vehicle.

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The devices capture the license plates and will alert offices if that vehicle has been involved in criminal activity and they could assist in solving crimes or seeking those involved in the crimes, according to the city.

Many serious crimes have a vehicle description but no license plates associated with it and this information may be added to the Flock Safety System where other local communities may access and add information.

Flock cameras are used in several surrounding communities including Franklin, Dayton, Springboro and Troy, the release said.

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“The ability to network with other cities and agencies with crucial information, such as Amber Alerts, stolen vehicles, and felony suspect searches, is a game changer for our city,” said Middletown Police Chief David Birk.

Birk says new technology is making advancements in the field of law enforcement with body cameras, cruiser cameras, and now Flock camera systems.

“The fact that we can get immediate alerts if those suspects end up in Middletown changes how we do business and solidifies partnerships with surrounding communities,” he said. “It’s always better to work smarter, not harder.”

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