Florence's Growing Eye on Crime: How Tech is Changing Policing

Florence has been expanding its use of Flock Safety cameras, a move that's shaking up how crime is tackled in the city. These cameras, which can snap millions of car photos and track their movements, have become a big deal for crime prevention, according to Interim Police Chief Stephen Starling. The city first got these cameras in March 2024, starting with 30 units funded by a $400, 000 state grant. But Florence didn't stop there. They've since spent another $330, 000 to add more cameras, bringing the total to 66, with 52 already up and running. These aren't just any cameras. Some are PTZ cameras that can pan, tilt, and zoom to watch downtown Florence live. Others keep an eye on major roads, parks, and routes in and out of the city.At first, the cameras were flagging lots of license plates linked to violent crimes and missing persons. But now, those alerts have dropped. That might seem like the cameras aren't working, but Starling says it's actually a good sign. He believes the cameras are doing their job so well that criminals aren't even coming to Florence anymore. Privacy concerns have come up, but Mayor Lethonia “Peaches” Barnes says the cameras aren't about invading anyone's privacy. They're about giving the city extra eyes to keep everyone safe. The police only use the cameras for investigations, much like officers running license plate checks. The city's crime plan also supports this tech boost, with Barnes saying it's helping to remove the “bad apples” from the community. Florence is also stepping up its tech game with a real-time crime center, a hub for gathering and sharing information. As the city looks for a new police chief, Barnes wants someone who's tech-savvy to keep Florence at the forefront of crime-fighting technology.