SHREVEPORT, La. -- Law enforcement's use of Flock cameras across some community across the nation have caused concerns.Â
The eyes in the sky track vehicle license plates. While some people worry about their privacy from the data collected, the cameras have been a game changer for solving violent crime, according to police
But examples of misuse of Flock cameras can be found in Texas, where two cases in the greater Houston area put them under scrutiny.
In Fort Bend County, a sheriff's lieutenant admitted to improperly searching two license plates 189 times after stalking allegations were raised by a resident.
And in Pasadena, a police sergeant resigned during an investigation into allegations he used the system to track a fellow officer.
But Shreveport police say there's nothing to worry about here.
Cpl. Chris Bordelon said the license plate data is funneled through the city's Real Time Crime Center, and access is limited to certified personnel.
"The license plate information is only accessible by people that are certified or individuals that have that type of security clearance. A patrol officer, they can't just pull it up in their patrol car," Bordelon said.
There are two Flock cameras stationed in the city, but Bordelon won't say where for strategic reasons. The cameras, along with the Real Time Crime Center, have helped push the department's homicide clearance rate above 80%, Bordelon said.
Bordelon also says the cameras act as a major deterrent, with calls for service dropping in areas where they're installed.
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