LOUISIANA POLICE CLARIFY NUMBER AND USE OF FLOCK CAMERAS

LOUISIANA, Mo. — The Louisiana Police Department is responding to renewed questions and rumors about the city’s automated license plate reader cameras, clarifying both the number of cameras in operation and how the technology is used.

Police say the City of Louisiana operates seven Flock Safety cameras, not 14 as some social-media posts and comments have claimed. Additional cameras in the area are operated by another law enforcement agency and are not owned or funded by the city.

The devices are automated license plate readers rather than conventional surveillance cameras. Each unit captures a still image of a passing vehicle, along with its license plate, visible vehicle characteristics, location, date and time.

According to the department, the cameras do not use facial recognition, collect biometric information or continuously track vehicles between camera locations. They are also not used to automatically issue speeding, red-light or other routine traffic citations.

Police say the system is intended to help locate stolen vehicles and license plates, identify vehicles connected to criminal investigations, find wanted individuals, assist with AMBER Alerts and missing-person cases, and preserve evidence following reported crimes.

An alert generated by the system is considered an investigative lead and does not by itself establish that a crime has occurred. Officers are expected to verify the plate, vehicle and surrounding circumstances before taking enforcement action.

Access is restricted to authorized law enforcement personnel, and searches must be tied to a legitimate law enforcement purpose. System activity is logged and may be reviewed.

Camera data is generally retained for 30 days before being automatically deleted unless it is legally preserved as evidence in an investigation or court case.

The department also disputed claims that the cameras were installed without the Louisiana City Council’s knowledge. Police said council members had been aware of the planned program for at least seven months before the department’s recent public response.

The cameras were purchased and installed through two years of funding from the Missouri Department of Public Safety’s Blue Shield grant program. Police Chief Josh Baker said no local tax dollars have been used.

Once the grant period ends, the city could discontinue the program or seek another grant to continue it. The annual cost of maintaining the system after the grant expires has not yet been confirmed.

The department has also created a public Flock Safety Transparency Portal containing program policies, safeguards and usage statistics. Residents with questions are encouraged to review the available information or contact the police department directly rather than rely on unverified social-media claims.