Farmington considering crimefighting cameras

By JEFF LAMPE
For The Weekly Post

FARMINGTON – Surveillance cameras are no longer just a Hollywood movie or big-city thing.

As prices drop and technology improves, more and more small towns and cities are signing up to use surveillance cameras to assist law enforcement. Farmington may soon join that list.

The Farmington City Council heard a presentation on FlockSafety cameras at Monday’s meeting. The presenter was Deputy Vinnie Porcaro of the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office, who said he is not paid by Flock, but is a strong believer in the company’s license plate recognition cameras.

“Bad guys don’t like these,” he said. “Gangbangers don’t like these cameras.”

 Flock cameras are motion activated and automatically read license plates by snapping images that are run through a national crime database. Police are alerted within 15 seconds if a car is involved with illegal activity.

Peoria installed 59 cameras last year and in November decided to buy 71 more. Peoria police officers say data from the cameras have helped solve crimes and led to the discovery of stolen vehicles and missing people.

Porcaro said cameras are spreading into Fulton County, with three in Cuba and six in Canton. Farmington Police Officer Andy Steck says the department would like to purchase three or four cameras.

Porcaro said cameras cost $3,000 each plus installation costs, which can be up to $1,400 on Illinois Department of Transportation roads to as little as $150 on a city-owned pole.

“With the amount of traffic that comes through here, I think you will have great success with them,” Porcaro said.

Porcaro acknowledged there are concerns about heightened surveillance but noted that the cameras are not used for face recognition and do not provide information on vehicle drivers.

Council members asked Steck to bring a formal proposal to the Dec. 18 meeting for possible action.

 In other business, the council approved a city budget for the fiscal year starting May 1, 2023, and ending April 30, 2024. The levy includes a 5% increase, with most of that to be used for parks and recreation.

The council also voted to approve a revised ordinance that would pay Diva Florist $8,000 as part of a TIF grant for a roof on the business. The council previously approved an incorrect grant payment of $4,000 because of a typographical error.

 The council also discussed a low-interest loan to assist with building projects, including a new roof on the city building. The council gave approval to Alderman Dave Rose and City Administrator Bettina Bohanan to research a loan. Rose said he would have a roof estimate and more details on the loan by Dec. 18.