Florence's Growing Eye on Crime: How Tech is Changing Policing

Florence is making waves in crime prevention with its expanding use of Flock Safety cameras. These high-tech cameras, capable of capturing millions of car photos and tracking their movements, have become a cornerstone of the city's crime-fighting strategy, according to Interim Police Chief Stephen Starling.

Initial Deployment and Expansion

The city first introduced these cameras in March 2024, starting with 30 units funded by a $400,000 state grant. But Florence didn't stop there. They've since invested an additional $330,000 to add more cameras, bringing the total to 66, with 52 already operational. These aren't just any cameras. Some are PTZ cameras that can pan, tilt, and zoom to monitor downtown Florence live. Others keep a watchful eye on major roads, parks, and routes in and out of the city.

Impact on Crime

Initially, the cameras flagged numerous license plates linked to violent crimes and missing persons. However, those alerts have since dropped. At first glance, this might seem like the cameras aren't effective. But Starling sees it differently. He believes the cameras are doing their job so well that criminals are avoiding Florence altogether.

Privacy Concerns and Community Safety

Privacy concerns have been raised, but Mayor Lethonia “Peaches” Barnes assures that the cameras are not about invading anyone's privacy. They're about providing the city with extra eyes to keep everyone safe. The police use the cameras for investigations, much like officers running license plate checks. The city's crime plan also supports this technological boost, with Barnes stating it's helping to remove the “bad apples” from the community.

Future Tech Initiatives

Florence is also enhancing its technological capabilities with a real-time crime center, a hub for gathering and sharing information. As the city looks for a new police chief, Barnes wants someone who is tech-savvy to keep Florence at the forefront of crime-fighting technology.