Okaloosa now utilizing license plate cameras to fight crime

SHALIMAR, Fla. — Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden announced yesterday that his agency is utilizing a new crime-fighting tool: automatic license plate readers.

The Flock Safety camera system, which is utilized by law enforcement agencies across the region and country, allows law enforcement to track vehicles involved in anything from child abduction to murder through license plate photos, Aden said.

If a known stolen vehicle or wanted person enters the community, the OCSO instantly gets an alert.

“Let’s face it, criminals use technology. It’s high time law enforcement uses technology that’s at their disposal,” said Aden.

Flock cameras in use here and neighboring counties were quick to help the OCSO locate a murder suspect in Fort Walton Beach who was thought to be in Crestview, a missing endangered individual found in Panama City, and the direction of travel of the subject of a Silver Alert, according to Aden.

Aden said the crime-fighting tool allows the OCSO to better network with surrounding police departments and sheriff offices which already have the technology in place, as well as agencies across the country, in fighting crime and boosting public safety.

Currently, Aden said his agency has 25 mobile flock cameras in patrol cars, in addition to a growing number of stationary cameras. He said cameras are being phased in.

Aden stressed that strict measures are in place to protect resident privacy.

The system reportedly does not use facial recognition technology, deletes its data every 30 days on a rolling basis, and does not sell data to third parties.

For more information on the Flock system, visit its website at FlockSafety.com.

Flock Safety also has a Facebook page to share information on the system and success stories with the public.

A video of Sheriff Aden’s remarks is available here.