Flock Camera System
License Plate Reader & Public Safety Camera System
The Village of Maple Bluff Police Department uses Flock Safety camera technology to support public safety, assist investigations, and improve situational awareness. The system includes Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras and limited public safety video capabilities approved by the Village Board.
This technology helps officers identify stolen vehicles, locate wanted persons, support missing person investigations, and develop investigative leads after crimes occur. For a small department that often operates with a single officer on duty, these tools provide additional awareness and improve response capability.
Current System Configuration
The Village currently utilizes the following Flock Safety system configuration under a one-year agreement approved by the Village Board in May 2026:
- 7 Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) cameras
- 7 co-located live-feed cameras
- 1 PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera
This configuration reflects a reduced deployment following public review and Board direction. The Village previously conducted a public trial of additional standalone live-feed cameras at Johnson Park and Beach Park. Following Board review and final approval of the current system configuration, those trial cameras were removed. The current agreement and system configuration will be subject to future review by the Village Board.
Why We Use It
The Maple Bluff Police Department uses this technology because effective public safety depends on awareness, timely information, and the ability to act quickly when incidents occur.
As criminal activity becomes increasingly mobile and regional, small communities like Maple Bluff are not isolated from broader public safety challenges. Vehicles connected to stolen property, violent crime, missing persons, impaired driving, and other offenses regularly move between jurisdictions. Technology like this helps officers identify and respond to those threats more quickly and effectively.
Public Safety
Flock cameras help officers identify:
- Stolen vehicles
- Wanted persons
- Missing persons associated with AMBER and Silver Alerts
- Vehicles linked to active public safety concerns
This information allows officers to make more informed decisions, improve response times, and increase officer and community safety.
Investigations
Flock technology helps officers:
- Develop leads after crimes occur
- Identify suspect vehicles when witnesses may not have details or be present
- Establish timelines and movement patterns
- Gather objective evidence to support investigations
In many cases, video and ALPR data provide the critical information needed to identify suspects, locate victims, and build cases that support successful prosecution.
Accountability & Deterrence
Public safety is strengthened when criminal behavior is identified and addressed. Systems like this increase the likelihood that criminal activity can be investigated, solved, and prosecuted.
That matters because accountability helps reduce repeat victimization and creates a deterrent effect—when offenders know they are more likely to be identified and held accountable, crime is less likely to occur.
Operational Awareness
The Maple Bluff Police Department often operates with limited staffing, including most periods where only one officer is on duty.
These systems improve situational awareness by providing real-time information about what is happening in key areas of the Village. That additional awareness helps officers respond more effectively, prioritize resources, and better protect the community.
Privacy, Controls & Governance
The Village maintains strict safeguards governing the use of this technology.
What Flock Technology IS:
- License plate and vehicle recognition
- A tool for investigations and public safety
- Used to develop objective evidence about vehicles—not people
- Auditable and governed by Department policy
What Flock Technology IS NOT:
- Not facial recognition
- Not biometric identification
- Not used for traffic enforcement
- Not used for general surveillance of individuals
- Not designed to collect personal identifying information
System Controls
The Maple Bluff Police Department maintains multiple layers of operational and policy controls, including:
Access Controls
- Access is limited to authorized personnel
- Role-based permissions restrict administrative functions
- Department-approved training and certification are required before use
Search Controls
- All searches must have a legitimate law enforcement or public safety purpose
- Search activity is logged and auditable
- Search misuse may result in disciplinary action
- Internal audits are conducted regularly to review system use
Sharing Controls
- Sharing is limited to approved in-state, non-federal, law enforcement partners
- Nationwide and statewide lookup functions are disabled
- Immigration and reproductive care opt-out filters are enabled
- New one-to-one sharing relationships are reviewed for policy compliance, including 287(g) participation review when applicable
- Requests for information sharing outside standard system settings are reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure consistency with Department policy, community expectations, and public safety objectives
Retention Controls
- Data is retained for 30 days and automatically deleted unless preserved for an active investigation or other lawful evidentiary purpose
Governance Controls
- System audits are conducted regularly to ensure compliance with policy, Board direction, and applicable law
- Material changes to sharing practices or system controls are reported to the Village Board
- Department policies and procedures governing system use are publicly available
Policies & Transparency
The Village is committed to maintaining public trust through clear policies and responsible governance. Additional information is available in the:
- Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) Policy
- Public Safety Video Surveillance Policy
- Flock Camera Procedures
- Flock Transparency Portal
The Maple Bluff Police Department remains committed to protecting the residents and visitors of our community while balancing public safety, privacy, and accountability.