Columbia Police Department to introduce license plate reading Flock camera system

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

The Columbia Police Department will present its plan to the Columbia City Council to contract with Flock Safety to install security cameras throughout the city.

This plan has been in the works since late July after the Columbia City Council rejected a previous security camera system in November 2022.

Since then, the Columbia Police Department invited the community to multiple presentations on Aug. 14 and Aug. 15 for the new proposed system called Flock Safety.

According to Columbia City Council documents, the Flock Safety camera system comprises various cameras with license plate recognition abilities. The cameras would be placed on streets and intersections to capture data on vehicles used to commit crimes.

In the memo, the Flock Safety cameras will be able to notify police the moment a suspect vehicle enters an area. License plates also give clear direction in investigations and would also reduce the risk of bias and false identification, supporters say.

The cameras would be for vehicles and do not use facial recognition technology. Data captured by the system will be stored and secured through the Columbia Police Department and will be deleted from the system after 30 days if not used for a case. The data will also not be used for traffic laws like speeding or parking violations.

Each ward will receive multiple cameras. An intersection package consists of four license plate reading cameras and two fixed live-feed cameras. Here is the breakdown by ward. 

• Ward 1:
  • 3 Intersection packages
  • 0 license plate readers
• Ward 2:
  • 2 Intersection packages 
  • 4 license plate readers
• Ward 3:
  • 3 intersection packages
  • 2 license plate readers
• Ward 4
  • 3 intersection packages
  • 0 license plate readers
• Ward 5
  • 1 intersection package
  • 2 license plate readers 
• Ward 6
  • 2 intersection packages 
  • 4 license plate readers

There will also be 13 additional license plate reader cameras placed in various parks and on trails by Columbia Parks and Recreation.

The system would be financed through general fund reserves and the CPD budget. The initial cost of the contract would be $539,400 for the first year then $476,000 annually. The Columbia Parks and Recreation Department will pay $45,450 initially, then $39,000 annually.

During the August meetings, community members were shown a draft of the plan and an informational packet and encouraged to leave comments on cards in person as well as online on BeHeardCoMo.

The Columbia City Council will not be voting on the Flock System until later meetings.

Check back in on this developing story.