The Tumwater Police Department has been delaying the implementation of a widely used license plate detection system by Flock Safety, according to Acting Chief Jay Mason.
The system uses a network of license plate camera readers to monitor vehicles involved in criminal activities and notify police agencies if such vehicles are detected.
Mason was before the council on Tuesday, April 22, to deliver updates about the police department, including its accomplishments last year and what lies ahead this year.
The topic of Flock cameras was not part of his presentation, but he was asked about them by council members as the issue came up during a recent homeowner’s association (HOA) meeting at the Western Plaza mobile home park on Trosper Road.
Recalling a question he was asked during the HOA meeting about how he felt about Flock cameras, Mason said he was generally in favor of the technology.
He said the system could support the department’s capacity, especially since their request for additional personnel was not granted during the last budget cycle.
“We need to look at different technologies to see how we can increase capacity and service to our community,” Mason said.
“I think there's some value in license plate readers, especially systems like Flock. I believe it was demonstrated clearly in a recent arrest of a homicide suspect that was really driven by a Flock camera hit,” he continued.
Mason said the latest budget did allocate funds for the implementation of Flock cameras, but said the department will not take any action for now until it can move forward with other new technologies, such as the county’s new records management system and body-worn cameras.
Council member Leatta Dahlhoff requested once the police department returns to present the Flock camera system that it also discusses who has access to the data recorded by the system, such as external agencies, and how the data is possibly used beyond reading license plates.
As for his actual updates, Mason said accomplishments from 2024 include completing a plan for adopting to the city’s growing needs, nearly reaching full staffing, closing 21 code enforcement cases, contracting a provider for a countywide records management system, coordinating with TCOMM 911 for its new radio system, and talking at the International Association of Chiefs of Police conference in Boston about evidence-based policing in smaller departments.
He also shared yearly statistics, saying the department handled 878 arrests and referrals, processed 1,567 manual record requests, and took 19,270 calls for service in 2024.
As for priorities this year, Mason discussed improving the communication plan and finding ways to better connect with the community, its continued commitment to attaining full staffing, and the expansion of its facilities.
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OlyBlues
JOLT - Chief Mason is no longer in an acting capacity. Your own publication covered Mayor Sullivan choosing him as permanent Chief of Police. Need to fix the article.
It is unfortunate to see as a Tumwater resident the city is falling behind other jurisdictions in the county on technology. The Flock system has proven it's value and worth in Yelm, Olympia, and the county. Tumwater should already have funding in place and have body cameras and the storage technology. Time for the city council and Mayor to step up and ensure Chief Mason has the tools he needs for maximum public safety in the city, especially if you are going to question him about it.
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