Police are installing several Flock license plate reader cameras throughout Antioch in response to an “alarming surge” in crime across the Chicagoland metro area.
The Antioch Police Department announced Tuesday that the installation of several Flock Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) throughout the community will be completed soon.
The department said the strategic investment in cutting-edge law enforcement technology comes in response to the “alarming surge in crime across the Chicagoland metro area.”
“As law enforcement professionals, it is our duty to adapt and respond swiftly to emerging threats to the safety and security of our communities,” Antioch Police Chief Geoffrey Guttschow said.
“The explosion of crime within the Chicagoland metro area over recent years, coupled with the troubling trend of individuals from outside our community using stolen vehicles to commit crimes in Antioch, necessitated decisive action. I am steadfast in my commitment to utilize every available tool and technology to safeguard our residents from the assaults inflicted by criminals,” Guttschow said.
The police chief said the Flock system represents a pivotal enhancement to the department’s crime-fighting arsenal.
The systems capture license plate information from vehicles passing through designated areas and cross-reference the data with law enforcement databases in real-time.
The technology enables immediate alerts to officers, which allows them to respond and make arrests quicker.
The ALPR systems integrate with the growing network of cameras not only within Lake County but throughout the region.
“This collaborative effort bolsters law enforcement’s capacity to track and apprehend criminals who seek to evade justice, reinforcing the Antioch Police Department’s commitment to ensuring the safety and security of our community,” the police department said.
“We stand firm against those who seek to prey on our community and remain steadfast in our mission to uphold law and order,” the department said.
With the installation of the ALPRs underway, the police department hopes to have the ALPR network live and operational within the next several weeks.
In response to privacy concerns from residents in some communities, Guttschow said the data collected by the system will be utilized exclusively for law enforcement purposes and is subject to “stringent safeguards and protocols.”
“The department continuously focuses efforts for strict adherence to legal guidelines and industry best practices and will ensure this technology’s responsible and ethical use. Furthermore, we recognize the importance of transparency and accountability in our operations, and we are committed to engaging with the community to address any concerns and provide assurance regarding the protection of individual privacy rights,” Guttschow said.
“The Antioch Police Department views privacy as a fundamental aspect of our commitment to serving and protecting our community,” the police chief added.