As the song says, “I’ve gotta feeling somebody’s watching me.”
Well, in Miami Springs, it’s true.
The City of Miami Springs is adding additional automated license plate readers (ALPRs) to multiple entry and exit points of the city.
FAIRWAY DRIVE CAMERAS
Above and below, you’ll notice the cameras that were added to Fairway Drive near Palmetto Drive. The cameras are accompanied by a sign that reads, “NOTICE 24/7 VIDEO RECORDING – flock safety”
RAILROAD TRACK CAMERAS
Below, you’ll see the new cameras that were added to North Royal Poinciana Boulevard in between Crane Avenue and the railroad tracks. Interestingly, this camera lacks the ominous 24/7 video recording notice that the camera on Fairway has.
What is “Flock Safety?”
Flock Safety is a public safety tech company providing an operating system with Automatic License Plate Readers (ALPRs), cameras, and AI to help law enforcement, communities (HOAs, businesses, schools) prevent and solve crimes by tracking vehicles and sharing data through a nationwide network. It creates “vehicle fingerprints” (make, model, color, plate) and alerts users when wanted vehicles enter their area, aiming to reduce crime by connecting public and private security efforts.
How it Works:
- Capture Data: Flock cameras are installed at entry/exit points of communities and businesses, capturing license plates and vehicle details 24/7.
- Vehicle Fingerprints: Using machine learning, they identify vehicle make, model, color, and unique features, creating a “vehicle fingerprint”.
- Data Sharing Network: This data feeds into a shared network, allowing participating police departments and communities to see where vehicles have traveled.
- Real-Time Alerts: If a vehicle on a “hotlist” (e.g., stolen, used in a crime) is detected, law enforcement and authorized users get instant alerts.
- Search & Investigate: Users can search the platform for vehicle sightings, helping to trace movements and build cases.
Key Features:
- ALPR Cameras: Specialized cameras for clear plate capture day and night.
- Vehicle Fingerprint®: Technology that identifies vehicles beyond just license plates.
- FlockOS: The central operating system for data management and alerts.
- National Network: Connects data across thousands of communities and agencies.
- AI & Video Search: Uses AI for natural language searches (e.g., “red truck with ladder”) across video and LPR data.
Who Uses It?
- Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs)
- Homeowners Associations (HOAs) & Neighborhoods
- Businesses & Corporations
- Schools & Universities
- Property Managers
Purpose
To create a powerful, shared safety network that helps deter crime, find missing persons, and locate suspects by tracking vehicles across jurisdictions.
Track Record
The City of Miami Springs has a good track record of how they’ve used ALPRs. In fact, it was thanks in part to the ALPRs, that police were able to track down a subject involved in the shooting of a police officer back in 2022.
Miami-Dade Police Officer Shot…Car Linked to Miami Springs Motel
The ALPRs (automated license plate readers) have also helped Miami Springs Police apprehend and arrest suspects associated with various crimes.
Nevertheless, some people think it’s a little creepy to have cameras at virtually every entry / exit point of the city. And while Miami Springs Police have a positive track record of responsible use of the camera systems and are very responsive to the community’s needs, the folks at Flock Safety are not accountable to our residents.
Data Sharing Transparency
According to Miami Springs Police Chief Matthew Castillo, data collected from the cameras is only shared with other police agencies in the State of Florida. The data collected by the cameras is only stored for 30 days.
Existing Cameras
Miami Springs already has several Automated License Plate Readers across the city:
- Curtiss Parkway Entry Bridge (Warren Pony Swing Bridge Entry)
- East Drive / West 4th Avenue bridge and South Royal Poinciana Boulevard (near the Middle School)
- Dual Purpose Red Light Traffic Cameras and ALPRs along several intersections of NW 36th Street
- Plus, we have all the new speed trap cameras by many of the school zones that surround our local schools.
What do you think?
Do you like the idea of adding cameras to make our city safer or do you think we’re turning into a surveillance state? Share your thoughts in the comments section below or via social media.
