Washington residents can now access information about how the Washington Police Department uses automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology. 

The Washington Police Department has activated the Flock Safety Public Transparency Portal. The public portal allows residents to view general data about the department’s use of the Flock System, which was implemented last summer. The purpose of the technology according to the portal is to assist law enforcement in identifying vehicles involved in criminal activity, missing person cases, and public safety threats. The system captures vehicle characteristics such as license plate numbers, state of issuance, vehicle make, model, color, and visible features.

It does not use facial recognition technology and does not identify drivers or passengers.

Within two days of the first camera’s activation, officers identified a burglary suspect based on a witness providing a vehicle description and partial license plate. The Washington Police Department Flock System consists of eight cameras positioned at various locations around the city. Departments across Iowa and the country have noted success with the ALPR technology in cases identifying felony suspects and locating older missing adults with dementia who have traveled out of state.

Residents can access the Washington Police Department’s Flock Public Transparency Portal at the following link: https://transparency.flocksafety.com/washington-ia-pd