In response to a spate of home invasions in the past month, Stockton law enforcement is planning to adopt new investigative technology. According to a spokesperson, more than a dozen license plate readers, also known under the brand name "Flock," will be added to Stockton's toolkit for fighting crime.
While the order has been placed, it remains uncertain when and where these cameras will be installed.
The technology has proven effective in Tracy, a neighboring city, where Flock cameras were installed in 2022. "Our goal ideally is to have every agency in our county to be on this type of license plate reader database, because criminals bounce between borders," said Timothy Bauer, Lieutenant with Tracy Police Department.
Tracy currently operates around 45 Flock cameras and plans to double that number in the next year. According to Bauer, the technology is particularly beneficial as "criminal behavior doesn't stop at city lines."
Two homeowners' associations in Tracy have even purchased their own Flock cameras, integrating them with the Tracy Police Department's system. This model has piqued interest among Stockton residents, especially since suspects involved in the recent home invasions remain at large.
So far this year, Stockton has reported 30 home invasions, showing a slight increase compared to the 27 reported by this time last year. In total, there were 45 home invasions in Stockton in 2022.
Stockton law enforcement hopes the new technology will be a crucial asset in tracking down and preventing future criminals, thereby enhancing community safety.
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