MILL CREEK—Just one week after the installation of Flock Safety license plate recognition cameras, the Mill Creek Police Department (MCPD) is already seeing powerful results. The system has generated multiple hits on stolen vehicles, resulting in the recovery of one stolen car and a stolen license plate — all within days of going live.
“We are encouraged to see the immediate impact the license plate readers have had,” said Stan White, Chief of the MCPD. “The real-time alerts allow our officers to act quickly and decisively. Recovering a stolen vehicle and license plate so soon after installation shows how effective this technology can be.”
Flock Safety cameras scan license plates and compare them against national crime databases, information that has been available to officers in the field for decades via mobile data computers within police vehicles. When a match is found, officers receive immediate alerts, enabling them to respond rapidly. The system is designed with privacy in mind — it does not use facial recognition and focuses solely on vehicle-related data, which is provided to officers more efficiently and safely.
The installation is part of Mill Creek’s broader initiative to reduce property crime and enhance community safety. Residents have expressed strong support for the program, noting an increase in confidence in local law enforcement’s ability to respond to crime. City Manager Martin Yamamoto stated, “we’re glad to see these results so quickly.”
The MCPD plans to increase its Flock Safety awareness in the coming months. For more information on current initiatives, visit: millcreekwa.gov/police.
Author: Lynnwood Times Staff
