Police departments across the country face high expectations to lower crime rates in their city. With budget cuts and staff reductions, they often lack the resources they need. In communities where public safety budgets are tight, how can police continue to keep citizens safe without having to find extra room in the budget?

Tapping into A Public-Private Partnership

“Public-private partnership” is a term widely used. When police work together with businesses and citizen groups, law enforcement can access additional resources and both parties benefit. Oftentimes at the center of the community, law enforcement plays a pivotal role in providing guidance to citizens on effective safety measures.

A city like Fort Worth, which was recently ranked one of the fastest growing large cities in the United States, invested in building these public-private partnerships with Neighborhood Patrol Officers (NPOs). Crime Prevention Specialist Rudd at the Fort Worth Police Department shares:

"By having the Neighborhood Patrol Officers dedicated to specific geographic areas, the officers are not only able to become more familiar with the area than regular patrol officers, but they are also able to serve as a resource for and get to know area residents and business owners, learn about neighborhood concerns, and build working relationships with area Citizen on Patrol volunteers to work hand-in-hand in reducing neighborhood crime and promoting crime prevention tools."

Crime prevention tools can range from a variety of solutions like doorbell cameras, off-duty officer patrol, and entrance gates. A trend that’s quickly growing across the state of Texas is the public and private use of automatic license plate readers (ALPRs). What was traditionally only available to law enforcement because of the high price point is now an option for communities through Flock Safety. The camera, serves as an effective tool to gather actionable evidence to solve crime throughout any city.

When the neighborhood of Shavano Heights experienced several burglaries, they needed an option to cut down on the crime. HOA President Helen Cronenberger spearheaded the implementation of Flock Safety cameras. Not only will the cameras provide the evidence police will need if crime happens, but they have implemented a public-private partnership to get their cameras connected with local police for Hotlist alerts.

As the need to extend a police department’s footprint grows in times of budget cuts, the adoption of LPRs within communities will help make safer cities even safer. Flock Safety LPRs are an effective way to increase an agency’s presence throughout the city.

Interested in speaking with our team to get Flock Safety LPRs in your city? Click here to schedule your FREE demo.