Fayetteville to add 25 license plate reader cameras

In addition to the license plate reader cameras already mounted on police patrol cars, Fayetteville will soon install 25 stationary cameras on local roads that can be used to identify vehicles entering and leaving the city limits.

The City Council voted 5-0 at its June 18 meeting to spend $50,000 to lease the cameras from Atlanta-based Flock Safety from Aug. 1 until July 31, 2021. The contract was finalized this month to save $50,000 in price increases the vendor was set to impose after July 1. Unlike the car-mounted cameras that are only in use when an officer is present, the new pole-mounted cameras will operate 24 hours a day. The data is stored by the company and can only be accessed by law enforcement agencies. According to the Flock website, the images captured by the cameras can be searched by date, time, vehicle type, vehicle color and full or partial license number.

City Manager Ray Gibson said the police department will have policies and procedures in place for use of the camera footage.